PHOTO: Closeup of Paphiopedilum, or slipper orchid bloom.

Repotting Orchids, Part 2: Paphiopedilum

A Paphiopedilum, or lady slipper orchid, is another popular orchid with collectors: it prefers high humidity and indirect light, faring best in eastern early morning light. But how do you ensure early success?

PHOTO: Closeup of a Paphiopedilum micranthum slipper orchid bloom.
Paphiopedilum micranthum lady slipper orchid bloom

Just as we learned in our first video, Repotting Orchids, Part 1: Phalaenopsis, it’s always best to repot your orchids shortly after purchasing them—the sphagnum moss in which they are sold provides too much constant moisture for the plant, and can damage the delicate, epiphytic root system.

Anne Nies, a master’s degree candidate in the Garden and Northwestern University’s Plant Biology & Conservation program, is an expert in all things orchids, both native and tropical. She is also a member of the Illinois Orchid Society, which holds its spring and fall orchid shows at the Garden. She took some time this past fall to show me (and you) how to repot our orchids to maintain a healthy growing environment.

Our second video details step-by-step instructions for repotting a Paphiopedilum orchid, which has different watering and culture needs from a Phalaenopsis. After your initial purchase and repotting, you should repot your orchid when your plant has finished blooming.

Orchid lovers of all levels can get their orchid fix at the Garden.


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Julie McCaffrey

Julie McCaffrey is media relations manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden and is responsible for promoting the Garden's programs and events through traditional and social media. Julie holds a B.A. in English from Northern Illinois University and an M.S. in Communications from Northwestern University.

5 thoughts on “Repotting Orchids, Part 2: Paphiopedilum”

  1. Note: When using a product such as this, it is important to follow all label directions carefully. The label on Physan 20 virucide reads:

    ORCHIDS: Adult plants, use 2 tsp. Physan 20 per gallon of water. Spray anytime disease other than rot is evident. Spray once per month as preventative maintenance. Soak compost when fungus is evident. For other uses of PHYSAN 20 with orchids, refer to Insert #2.

  2. I used to have pink Lady Slippers grow wild in 2 wooded sections of my yard. Unfortunately, I believe deer have eaten them.

    I would love to see video showing microscope x-sec. photos of the roots, stems and leaves of Phalaenopsis orchids. I have not found any good photos with labels of these parts. I would love to see short videos of each part showing the tissue along with a brief description of the physiology of each tissue type.

    Also, a short video describing and explaining the nutritional needs of the plant would be helpful to many Phalaenopsis orchid enthusiasts. A listing of both the macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients along with what the orchid does with them would be helpful in growing orchids. Also helpful in understanding orchids would be how the orchids get them in “the wild”.

    1. Thanks for the comment, Richard! I’m sorry there are no current plans to do more orchid videos.

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