How to Pot a Paphiopedilum

The delicate flowers of a healthy orchid plant add a sophisticated and tropical touch to any indoor living area. One popular and relatively low maintenance species is the paphiopedilum, commonly called "Lady Slipper." Many orchids in their natural habitat grow on rocks or attached to the bark of trees. The root systems are ideal for gleaning moisture and nutrients from the air but are not well-equipped to deal with soil microbes. A good soil-less medium and yearly repotting is the first steps to growing a healthy paphiopedilum. Repot once a year or when the roots begin to grow over the side of the pot.

Soil-less bark potting mix

Instructions

- 1
  Select a pot that is the same size or 1 to 2 inches larger than the container your orchid is in. Always increase the pot size by no more than 2 inches at each repotting. Select a pot that has several drainage holes in the bottom.
- 2
  Fill the bottom third of the pot with a soil-less medium such as fine or medium pine bark or other bark mix.
- 3
  Slide the root ball out of its pot. Place one hand around the base of your orchid and gently turn the pot upside down until the root ball slips free. Be careful not to drop and break the delicate stems.
- 4
  Place the root system into the new pot and hold it so that the base of the stem is about 1/2 to 1 inch below the lip of the pot. Adjust the level of the pine bark mix until the orchid can rest at the appropriate height unsupported.
- 5
  Add more of the bark mix to the pot around the root system until the paphiopedilum root system is completely surrounded by the soil-less mix. Press down gently to firm up the surface.
- 6
  Apply water to the newly potted paphiopedilum until it seeps from the drainage holes. Place the pot in a sink to drain completely before returning your orchid to its regular spot.

Types of Cherry Trees in the Southern USA

Potting Soil for Orchids

Orchids