Every year I prune and trim those hanging vines I believe my grapes could make some fine wines Some of my grapes are large as a golf ball Juicy and sweet, they're mighty fine I'm telling y'all

The Lord has said you can't pick grapes from thorns The beautiful grape arbor on my little farm adorns You can tell a tree by fruit it makes My grape vines produce real fruit not fakes

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier

Those paphs which have green leaves are usually cool climate ones, whilst those with mottled leaves are warm growing ones.

As most orchids, slipper orchids require humidity between 40 - 60%, remember they usually grow on rain forest floor. This may need to be augmented by using humidity trays. You can get a flat tray with sides. Fill tray with stone pebbles and then add water about half way up. Place plant on tray making sure that slipper orchid roots are not touching water. If it does there is a good chance for root rot.

Because they grow in shade on forest floor they should not be left in sunlight for very long. They do prefer shade, under a tree or near an east window. This is one of nice elements of slipper orchid care.

Fertilizer is needed and I recommend 1/4 strength given on a weekly basis. The fertilizer should be high in nitrogen so one with30-10-10 ratio is best. Monthly rinse slipper orchids with water alone to prevent fertilizer from building up on root and potentially burning them.

One final point on slipper orchid care, you should re-pot infrequently, that is, about every second year is fine. You should use a mixture which has an excellent moisture retention like fir bark with perlite and some sphagnum moss.

Following these rather straight forward rules will give you years of enjoyment with you slipper orchid.

See our beautful paphs,

now that you feel more comfortable with slipper orchid care, treat yourself.