Lady Slippers Orchid (Paphiopedilum Orchid) Care Indoors: Water, Soil, Fertilizer, Propagation

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Lady Slippers Orchids also called Venus Slipper Orchids or Slipper Orchids are among the popular Orchids and bear an unusual and curious form of flowers where the lower lip is pouch-like and looks like a lady's slippers, hence the common name.

The flowers range in color from soft pastels to any combination of rich, earthy tones. Each shoot blooms only once when it is fully grown, bearing a raceme between the the fleshy, succulent leaves. When the older shoots die, newer ones take over.

Venus Slippers Orchids are sympodial orchids which lack pseudobulbs and grow robust shoots, each with several leaves. The leaves can be short and rounded or long and narrow and typically have a mottled pattern. The roots are thick and fleshy. Potted plants will form a tight lump of roots, that can be up to 3 feet long.

The genus name Paphiopedilum was established by Ernst Hugo Heinrich Pfitzer in 1886. It is derived from Paphos (a city in Cyprus) and the Greek word pedilon meaning "slipper" in reference to the pouch-like flower lip. The genus name is abbreviated as paphs. in horticultural journals.

Many hybrids and cultivars of Paphiopedilum orchids have been developed which are easier to grow under artificial conditions than their parent species.

Botanical name: Paphiopedilum
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Cypripedioideae
Common names: Lady Slippers Orchid, Venus Slipper Orchid, Slipper Orchid

Origin

Paphiopedilum Orchids are native to Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, southern China, New Guinea and the Solomon and Bismarck Islands. They naturally occur as terrestrials on the forest floor, but a few are epiphytes and some are lithophytes.

Are Paphiopedilum Orchids toxic?

No. Paphiopedilum Orchids are non-toxic to both humans and pets. They are safe to grow in a home with children, cats, dogs and other pets.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to add Lady Slippers Orchids to your collection? You may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Paphiopedilum Orchids Indoors

To care for Paphiopedilum Orchids indoors, provide bright to moderate indirect light, warmth of 15-29⁰C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained orchid's soil coupled with regular feeding in the growing season.

Lady Slippers Orchids require regular pruning to keep them neat as well as encourage flowering. Repotting is needed only when they become pot-bound or the soil becomes completely broken down. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water a Paphiopedilum Orchid?

Do not water on a schedule. Water Paphiopedilum Orchid liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, yellowing and lack of blooms.

Lessen watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely as underwatering can result in drooping, wrinkly leaves and failure to flower.

Use chlorine-free water like rain water to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges. Only water with room temperature to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and eventual death of the orchid.

Avoid wetting the foliage to minimize fungal diseases; you may water from the bottom. Select a pot with enough drainage and free-draining soil to prevent waterlogging which can cause rotting and loss of the plant.

Paphiopedilum Orchids unlike Cattleya Orchids (Corsage Orchids) are less tolerant to dry soil due to the absence of pseudobulbs. Therefore, take care not to overwater it.

Light Requirements

How much light does a Paphiopedilum Orchid need?

A Paphiopedilum Orchid needs bright to moderate indirect light. Place it infront of a large, bright, sunless window as direct sunlight can cause scorching of the leaves.

A Lady Slippers Orchid that is receiving the right amount of light has light-green leaves. Dark green leaves indicate that the orchid needs more light. Yellowish leaves means that the orchid is receiving too much light.

Therefore, if you do not have adequate light in your home, you may use a full spectrum grow light to complement it.

Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the orchid gets adequate light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lop-sided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Lady Slippers Orchid grows best in a warmth of 15-29⁰C. Warmer days and cooler night temperatures with a difference of 10-15⁰C are ideal for this orchid. The cool nights are essential to trigger flowering.

Keep the orchid away from sources of drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature as they can cause reduced growth, yellowing and drooping. Make sure there is good air circulation to reduce fungal diseases.

Paphiopedilum Orchid thrives in a humidity of 60-80%. To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Do not mist the orchid as it can lead to fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

What is the best fertilizer for a Paphiopedilum Orchid?

Feed Paphiopedilum Orchid with an orchid's fertilizer every 4 weeks in the growing season. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Do not feed an orchid that is in flower as it can shorten the flowering period.

Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. It is better to err on the side of underfeeding than overfeeding the orchid as overfeeding may result in loss of roots and thus death of the orchid. Overfeeding the orchid can also lead to vegetative growth at the expense of flower production.

Potting Mix

What is the best potting mix for a Paphiopedilum Orchid?

The best potting mix for a Paphiopedilum Orchid should be a loose, well-drained, bark potting mix to prevent sogginess which can result in root-rot and orchid death. An orchid's potting mix is ideal for this plant as it drains easily and does not get soggy.

Repotting

When to repot a Paphiopedilum Orchid?

Repot Paphiopedilum Orchid only when growth begins to suffer; when the orchid has outgrown its pot and the new growth reaches out over the edge of the pot or when the soil has broken down completely.

Basically repotting the orchid every 2 years should be adequate. The best time to repot is when new growth begins, shortly after blooming is over.

Use a pot with proper drainage holes or slits as the roots of the orchid need good air circulation. The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one and large enough to accomodate the roots. Take a look at these orchid pots on Amazon.

Do not repot an orchid that is in flower as it may shorten the flowering season due to repotting shock. While repotting the orchid, shake off excess soil and trim off any dried and shrivelled roots.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Lady Slippers Orchid entails removal of dead and diseased leaves by cutting them at the base with sharp scissors or a knife.

When flowering is over, cut the flower stalk 1 inch above the 3rd node from the bottom to encourage more flowering.

Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.

Paphiopedilum Orchid Propagation

Lady Slippers Orchid propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing season once flowering is over by division or from keikis.

1. Propagating Lady Slippers Orchid by division

1. Gently split the Orchid into sections while ensuring that there are at least 3 shoots on each section.


2. Seperate the roots attached to each division from the mother root-ball. Remove the old potting soil attached to the section's roots.


3. Select pots which are large enough to accomodate the roots of the sections. Ensure each pot has enough drainage holes and slits to prevent rotting.


4. Fill the pots one thirdway with a well-draining orchid's potting mix.


5. Position each section in the center of its pot and bury the roots of the section with the soil while ensuring that it is at the same level as it was in the previous pot.


6. Stake each newly repotted plant to prevent it from toppling over.


7. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


8. Do not water the newly propagated orchids for about 7 days to allow time for the healing of injured roots.


9. After the 7 days of dryness, water the new Orchids lightly to enhance root development.


10. Once the sections have established their own roots and there is substancial growth, begin routine care.

2. Propagating Lady Slippers Orchid from keikis

Lady Slippers Orchids naturally produce "baby" orchids called "keiki" which normally appear on an old or new flower spike. Keikis are identical copies of the parent plant.

Keiki growth can be triggered by prolonged exposure to high temperature during the final phase of spike growth.

1. Detach the keiki from the mother when about one year old; when it has developed 2-3 leaves and 1-3 inches long roots.


2. Fill small pots one thirdway with a well-draining orchid's potting mix.


3. Pot the keiki in the fresh potting medium and direct the roots downwards.


4. Provide support for the keiki to prevent it from toppling over.


5. Place the set up in a well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


6. Mist the keiki regularly to maintain a humid enviroment.


7. Allow the new orchid to be well established before transplanting it afterwhich you can begin routine care.

Paphiopedilum Orchid Problems & Remedies

Lady Slippers Orchids problems are lack of blooms, drooping leaves, black & dying leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.

Lack of blooms

Lack of blooms on Lady Slippers Orchid is caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, warm nights, dry air or nutrients deficiency.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the orchid to a brighter spot where it will receive moderate to bright light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with proper drainage and a loose, coarse potting mix that drains easily.

Warm nights: Keep the orchid away from sources of hot air at night to provide cooler temperatures which trigger flower production.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to step-up humidity.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the orchid with an orchids fertilizer every 4 weeks in the growing season. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Lady Slippers Orchid are caused by underwatering or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of the soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Temperature stress: Keep the orchid from sources of drafts like hot air vents, heat sources, AC units, windy doors, drafty windows among others.

Black, dying leaf tips

Black, dying leaf tips on Lady Slippers Orchid are due to the presence of chemicals like chlorine and flourides in the water or accumulation of salts in the soil.

How to fix it

Use only chlorine-free water like rainwater.

Regularly leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes.

Pests

Common pests of Lady Slippers Orchid are mealybugs, scale insects, slugs and snails.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected orchid to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the label.


3. Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.


5. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise the humidity to reduce the infestations.

Diseases

Lady Slippers Orchid is prone to the following 2 diseases:

1. Powdery mildew which is characterized by mold on the leaves and flowers. It is enhanced by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

How to fix it

1. Cut off the diseased parts to minimize spread.


2. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to the other plants.


3. Treat the affected plant with Neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.


4. Maintain a free air flow to depress the disease infestation.


5. Do not mist or wet the foliage as the moisture creates good conditions for this disease.

2. Leaf spot disease which is characterized by brown, soft leaf spots. The disease is prevalent in wet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

How to fix it

1. Remove the affected leaves immediately to prevent further spread.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Avoid wetting the leaves during watering.


4. Ensure a good air circulation for the plant to discourage the disease.

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