A really nice Disa uniflora
- Thread starter John M
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paphioboy
hehehe...
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Super!
blondie
Well-Known Member
Fantastic congrats pain a beautiful flower.
fabulous flower
Steve G
Active Member
Cracking-looking Disa!
phrag guy
Well-Known Member
very nice John
Dandrobium
Well-Known Member
Still with two buds to go! Very nice and well grown!
You wouldn't find a finer flower on top of Table Mountain.
How do you take care of these in winter?
How do you take care of these in winter?
John M
Orchid Addict
Thank you everybody!
Tyrone, I've learned that even though winter is a time of short days, Disas must have strong light. They do NOT like dull winter days. I have some 8', four tube fluorescent fixtures in the basement. I put the Disas close to the tubes and run the lights 8 hours a day. So, their days are short; but, very bright and they never experience a cloudy, dull day. Plus, air movement is important all the time. I find that I get rot troubles when the humidity is high, unless I have vigorous air movement. When the plants are in the basement, the humidity isn't high; so, air movement isn't so important. However, in the (humid), greenhouse, lots of vigorous air movement is vital.
Tyrone, I've learned that even though winter is a time of short days, Disas must have strong light. They do NOT like dull winter days. I have some 8', four tube fluorescent fixtures in the basement. I put the Disas close to the tubes and run the lights 8 hours a day. So, their days are short; but, very bright and they never experience a cloudy, dull day. Plus, air movement is important all the time. I find that I get rot troubles when the humidity is high, unless I have vigorous air movement. When the plants are in the basement, the humidity isn't high; so, air movement isn't so important. However, in the (humid), greenhouse, lots of vigorous air movement is vital.
Thanks, John. That seems doable.
John M
Orchid Addict
Just to add: Other than needing high light in winter, I've found that the greatest problem with keeping a Disa happy is high humidity. The higher the humidity, the less evaporation from the leaves and sides of the clay pots, despite the amount of air movement you give them. The less evaporation of course means that there is less cooling effect. They really don't want hot roots! Also, in summer when they bloom, high humidity will cause the pollen to quickly (within a day or two), go black/brown/green with mould, which pretty much ruins the look of the flower. This makes Disas ideal as plants to be grown indoors under lights if you're home is air conditioned and therefore, comfortably cool and with much lower humidity. You'll need to watch out for Spider Mites though, in the drier air. Prevent infestations by misting the foliage, top and bottom on a regular basis with low mineral water (rain or R.O., to prevent ugly mineral build-up). If needed, spraying with a solution of horticultural oil (10 ml) and water (1 litre), will kill mites and not harm the Disa plants. Since horticultural oil is an ultra-fine grade of mineral oil, it's not toxic and can be used on plants inside the house.
A Disa can be kept cool in the summer heat (if the humidity is low), simply by keeping the clay pot standing in a large saucer of water (about 1 cm deep) and giving it loads of vigorous air movement. You can buy nifty little "personal cooling fans" for about $10 at any hardware store. These little fans are about 4" in diameter and they are the perfect size for a small collection of Disas sitting together in a large saucer of water. Aim the fan at the pots, not the foliage, as much as possible. If the roots are happy, the foliage will automatically be happy. However, if the foliage is cool and the roots are hot, the plant is still unhappy. The constant puddle of water keeps the roots wet and the foliage remains fully hydrated and turgid even though lots of water is lost to evaporation from the foliage. Also, the evaporation from the sides of the clay pot, which is enhanced by the vigorous air movement flowing past and around the pots, keeps the root zone cool. But, if it's hot and humid, then the plants will be unhappy and it's best to grow indoors where there is air conditioning.
A Disa can be kept cool in the summer heat (if the humidity is low), simply by keeping the clay pot standing in a large saucer of water (about 1 cm deep) and giving it loads of vigorous air movement. You can buy nifty little "personal cooling fans" for about $10 at any hardware store. These little fans are about 4" in diameter and they are the perfect size for a small collection of Disas sitting together in a large saucer of water. Aim the fan at the pots, not the foliage, as much as possible. If the roots are happy, the foliage will automatically be happy. However, if the foliage is cool and the roots are hot, the plant is still unhappy. The constant puddle of water keeps the roots wet and the foliage remains fully hydrated and turgid even though lots of water is lost to evaporation from the foliage. Also, the evaporation from the sides of the clay pot, which is enhanced by the vigorous air movement flowing past and around the pots, keeps the root zone cool. But, if it's hot and humid, then the plants will be unhappy and it's best to grow indoors where there is air conditioning.
SlipperFan
Addicted
Definitely a big WOW!
e-spice
Well-Known Member
Gorgeous.
Paphluvr
Well-Known Member
Beautiful, and great photographs.
How did I miss these photos???!! The intensity of the
color of Disa just blows my socks off...they shine. Just
beautiful John.
color of Disa just blows my socks off...they shine. Just
beautiful John.
Nice. Thanks for the info. I just wish they were not so hard to get in the USA.
Wendy
Just me!
Wonderful! You grow these so well John. :clap:
Thanks. I've tried. Hardly ever available.
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