First, and most important, the potting medium should not be allowed to become stale. Paphiopedilums like to be put in fresh potting medium at least once a year. . The key to growing paphiopedilums is to keep a good root system, as the plants have no bulbs or stems in which to store moisture or nutrients. Potting in a proper medium is necessary to maintain healthy roots. We generally recommend a Douglas Fir Bark media with fine particulates to help hold moisture evenly.