That love extends to the plants I grow indoors, mainly my orchids. I do not have as large of a collection as I once used to. When my daughter was born it became too hard to care for the large amount I had. The few I have left though I truly cherish. I especially love Lady Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum) and two of mine happen to be in bloom right now.
Paphiopedilum 'Maudiae'
I personally do not find orchids to be all that fussy. I water mine once a week (Wednesday is orchid day around here) and feed them with worm tea about twice a month. They absolutely love the worm tea! I do cut back on feeding during the winter months to about once a month or so. But during the growing months I am pretty strict with watering them with the worm tea every other week.
I do not know the name of this pretty Lady Slipper as she was only labeled "Paphiopedilum".
Another thing I do with my orchids that keeps them very happy is I fill a tray (found it at a thrift store!) with small stones that is then filled with water. I then place my orchids on top of the stones in the tray. This helps with supplying extra humidity around the plants. This is also what I do with African violets. The extra humidity becomes very important during the winter months when the heater is running.
I try to avoid the plant section of Trader Joe’s whenever I shop there as the orchids they sell are usually very reasonably priced and healthy. Thankfully I no longer live conveniently close to this fun store or my orchid collection would once again be too big for me to manage.
Caring for Paphiopedilums
- Temperature: should be kept between 55-80° F.
- Light: they can be grown in lower light intensities but a stronger light will produce more growth.
- Watering: should be frequent as Paphiopedilums like more moisture since they continue to grow all year.
- Other tips: good air circulation is important and Lady Slipper orchids do benefit from being repotted once a year.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Gorgeous orchids Cynthia. I’ve never grown them, but I have had African Violets in the past. I gave up on houseplants a long time ago, my beagle kept eating them.
That’s too funny PGL!
Although I do feel bad for your houseplants. 
-Cynthia
I’ve never tried to grow an orchid; yours are absolutely beautiful!
Thank you Nancy. They can be addicting to grow like a lot of othe plants….
-Cynthia
Simply beautiful! I hope you’ll be able to post more photos in the winter months so that we can all enjoy them!
/krys
Thank you Krys. I will keep that in mind! -Cynthia
Love those ladyslippers. Have you ever seen them growing wild in the Cascade mountains? I did once and it was a much-remembered day. I am afraid to grow orchids myself but maybe with your helpful advice I could try. Worm tea! What’s that??!!
- Karen
Hi Karen, I have always wanted to see orchids growing in the wild. I have heard that in Hawaii they grow on people’s lawns! Can you imagine that?!
Oh boy, you did it now asking what is worm tea!
I have been debating on whether or not I should do a post on my worms. Now that you asked that question I see I have to! 
Be on the look out for it in a few days now…. -Cynthia
Got some questions for ya. I love your Orchids–beautiful and you obviously know your plant.
Can we see a whole picture of a plant that is several years old. All I’ve ever seen are the ones sold in stores. I have no clue what an Orchid does year after year or how big it gets.
What kind of soil do you use?
They come in those itty bitty pots with all that growth on top—The roots look curled around inside the pot already. How long do you keep it in the store pot and what size pot does it eventually graduate to. I have never seen a mature Orchid.
How do you make worm tea? I make compost tea but have never made worm tea?
Thanks–I have a great place to grow an orchid in my new house. I am anxious to get started.
Wow Anna, you weren’t kidding when you said you have some questions for me!
Maybe I will do another post on my orchids so I can answer some of your questions there as the answers are a little too long for a comment box.
Like I told Karen in her above comment I will do a post on my worms and will explain there what I mean by worm tea. Thank you for the questions as it keeps my brain churning!
-Cynthia
Your orchid blooms are beautiful! The second one reminds me of the Lady Slipper which grows in our woods, and is the provincial flower of PEI.
Thank you Chey! I really need to scope out some more info on the wild orchids as these comments have gotten me curious! Have a great weekend.
-Cynthia
Simply gorgeous. Sadly I can’t have many plants inside since my cats tend to eat anything with leaves. Fortunately they have found the fake plants I have an abundance of are quite unattractive. But those live ones? Well, they’re another story all together! I have two indoor plants who are locked away from the cats in my master bath. One of them seems to be complaining about the small amounts of sun it gets in there though.
Hi Cinj! I can’t say I have ever had that problem as I am VERY allergic to cats and have never been able to have one indoors.
I wish I could though as I love ‘em but they give me an asthma attack. Not good! -Cynthia