- 1). Consider the orchid's sunlight requirements when selecting a planting location for your lady slipper orchid. Look for a site that receives at least three hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day and is shaded from the hot afternoon sun.
- 2). Amend the soil at your planting site to improve aeration and drainage; this is essential to the long-term health of your orchid. Spread 5 inches of equal parts redwood bark, sphagnum peat moss, cork, volcanic rock and charcoal over the surface of the soil. Work the organic amendments into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil to create a coarse, well-draining growing medium for your lady slipper orchid.
- 3). Dig a planting hole for your lady slipper orchid that is just as deep, but 2 to 3 inches wider than the nursery container that the plant came in.
- 4). Remove your lady slipper orchid from its nursery container and place it in the center of the prepared planting hole. Use the tips of your fingers to tease out the roots of the plant and spread them evenly in the bottom of the planting hole.
- 5). Return all of the displaced, amended soil to the planting hole and form it around the base of the orchid. Plant the lady slipper orchid so that the junction of the roots and stem are covered by no more than a 1/2 inch of soil.
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