Delightful Disa

[Paul T]

So does that mean I could actually grow them outside here?  I've only ever tried them inside under lights, and never succeeded.  What media do you use for yours..... I've seen them in coir chips, fine bark chips, sphagnum etc.  I've tried them here in Sphagnum and coir chips, the former in a self watering pot and the latter not.  Neither did at all well for me.

[Ragged Robin]

These postings of Disa really are delightful    Disa uniflora alba  is a lovely colour, thanks for introducing them in this thread, Derek, where do they originate from?

[LarsB]

The yellow/alba Disa uniflora is naturally occuring, but i don't think they are that common. They are quite beautiful. I crossed a clone called 'Christmas Gold' with an ordinary yellow and the first ones are flowering now. The two i've seen sofar is really nice. Here's the first one:



Kind regards

Lars

[derekb]

So does that mean I could actually grow them outside here?  I've only ever tried them inside under lights, and never succeeded.  What media do you use for yours..... I've seen them in coir chips, fine bark chips, sphagnum etc.  I've tried them here in Sphagnum and coir chips, the former in a self watering pot and the latter not.  Neither did at all well for me.

Paul how long does it stay below zero(or is that a silly question) I do not think they would take below zero for weeks at a time if it rose above during the day that would be fine, a grower in the USA had them under snow for some time and they survived.
I grow mine in a mixture of chopped Sphagnum and Dyna Rok which is like Seramis.
Robin they come from Table Mountain in South Africa and grow in the side of snow melt streams.

[Hristo]

Derek, thanks for the info, so I am guessing between 0 and +5 might work well! I have just the place.
Lars, that's a stunner!!

[LarsB]

Thanks Hristo. I go some to spare , so just email me if you want one.

Kind regards

Lars

[Paul T]

Derek,

I am not sure we've ever had a day that was below freezing all day, no matter how cold the night was (well not in my time anyway).  We might get -8'C overnight and still get 10'C during the day.  Snow is a very different thing to heavy frost too.  There are a lot of plants that will survive with snow cover but not without it (snow is a wonderful insulator).  I'd never even thought of growing them outside.  If I can acquire one again I shall attempt it outside and see how it goes.  It has to go better than inside, so there is only "up" from here.    How much sunshine does everyone give them?  I've only heard of them under lights or in glasshouses here, which is why I am asking what others are doing.

[Otto Fauser]

Paul , I only grow the ordinary red Disa uniflora , in spagnum moss and the occasionally
light liquid feed . If you would like to try it again ,Iwould be pleased to send you a plant .

       Otto.

[Paul T]

Otto,

The "ordinary red Disa uniflora" (as you call it) is I think what I have tried in the past.  Yes, I would love to try it again.  Do you grow yours outside?  Do you use a self watering pot?  One of the attempts I had was in sphagnum moss in a self watering pot and I think that was the one that managed best of the attempts I made.  Until now I had never considered they could grow outside though.   Thanks so much, Otto!!

[Paul Cumbleton]

I have just a few Disas. One really good summary on how to grow them can be found at:

http://afrodisa.com/disaculture.aspx

I use the 50/50 mix of Supersphag and Perlite to grow them in and this works really well.

Paul

[derekb]

I have just a few Disas. One really good summary on how to grow them can be found at:

http://afrodisa.com/disaculture.aspx

I use the 50/50 mix of Supersphag and Perlite to grow them in and this works really well.

Paul

Paul where do you get the Supersphag from I have been trying but could not find it so have been chopping sphagnum moss.

[Paul Cumbleton]

Derek,
I got my Supersphag from one of the carnivorous plant nurseries - see http://www.littleshopofhorrors.co.uk/shop/Supersphag-20-Blocks-5-litres.html

If you put Supersphag into Google it comes up with this and other suppliers too

Cheers

Paul

[derekb]

Derek,
I got my Supersphag from one of the carnivorous plant nurseries - see http://www.littleshopofhorrors.co.uk/shop/Supersphag-20-Blocks-5-litres.html

If you put Supersphag into Google it comes up with this and other suppliers too

Cheers

Paul

Paul thanks for that I think it must be my age I never think of the easy ways like Google,
You recomended Walters site have you have you ever signed up to the Disaphiles that he runs you get some interesting info from that.
Derek

 

[Paul T]

Paul (and others),

What sort of pots do you use for your Disa?  I've seen people here use everything frmo self-watering pots to orchid pots (i.e "mesh" style base rather than normal holes, for extra drainage) to normal pots.  I've also heard of standing them in water or not, depending on who you talk to etc.  I hadn't actually heard of Sphagnum moss and Perlite in a 50/50 before, but it sounds like it should work well.  I just want to try to collect some knowledge together so I can work out what should be the right method for me to use.

Thanks all.

[derekb]

Paul I use normal pot for most of mine but some of the more vigorous plants that maybe I would like more babies from I put them in net pots with half inch holes they then throw out babies through the side I will try to remember to take a photo tomorrow.
Mine stand in water I put about 2 inches in and then let it go down and leave the tray empty for 2 or 3 days and then refill, as they are potted in Dyna Rock and moss they last that long without drying out but other people grow them different ways it is what you get used to, when I first started I was in contact with Wally Orchard one of the experts in the USA he told me to expect losses until you find a way that suits. 

Derek