These pretty slipper type orchids are terrestrial, meaning they grow in or on the ground in rich damp humus. Therefore, the media around the roots should be kept moist and should not be allowed to dry completely out. Lady Slippers require a potting mix

that will keep their roots moist. The new soilless (peat

) mix is excellent for growing Lady Slippers. Fine bark or
Sphagnum moss
is also acceptable.
Paphiopedilums are divided into two groups based on their growing temperatures.
The warm growers, which usually have marbled leaves prefers a temperature range of 65 °F (18 °C) at night, and up to 80 °F (27 °C) during the day.
The other types are cool growers and prefer temperatures of 55° F (13 °C) at night and 75 °F (24 °C) during the day. They require humidity in the range of 40 to 60 percent. The humidity can be raised around your plants with the use of a humidity tray

or a humidifier. Grouping plants together also raises the humidity. Their cultural requirements are not that hard to obtain making these orchids quite easy to grow in your in your home.
With todays hybrids, there are hundreds of different sizes, shapes, and beautiful colors that is available to the hobbyist. Here are just a few of my favorite
Paphiopedilum
s that I personally grow:
Paphiopedilum 'Maudie Prieta'.
Paphiopedilum Vallarrow 'Torry' x P. W. N. Evans Corky' and
Paphiopedilum niveum.
Switch your Internet Explorer 5 or newer into full screen mode (F 11) and visit my
Orchid Nigts site desined for advanced orchid and computer aficionados for more on wild species of these popular orchids.