Disa uniflora-the pride of table mountian



Loren Russell wrote:

> For what it's worth:  the chance of growing most orchids from seed, either
> fresh or stored, is very small, unless specialized nutrient-culture
> equipment is used.  Disa spp. seem to be the exception, and are often
> grown from seed in a more conventional way.
>
> Has anyone on this list actually grown them?

 Loren and all-         Disa is not too difficult to grow. It is also not
difficult to kill. All in all if you follow a few simple rules Disa uniflora
and its hybrids are not too challenging. The other species in the genus with
few exceptions should be better left to the "experts". As with most
specialized flora the key is successfully replicating their natural
environment. Disa uniflora is native to the cool mountain streams of South
Africa. Here it grows in association with sphagnum mosses, Drosera's, and
other plants adapted to growing in nutrient poor environments. Disas often can
be found with their roots immersed in running water or near waterfalls where
the spray provides a cool constantly moist environment.
   To replicate this sort of environment one should grow the plants in a
moisture retentive soil mixture. D. uniflora can be grown in sphagnum (live or
dead), a peat sand mixture, or a 1:1 sphagnum peat and coarse perlite mix. The
second key to successful culture is the water.DO NOT USE TAP WATER AND DO NOT
LET THEM DRY OUT. I can not emphasize that enough. Disa need water with a very
low dissolved salt content. They will not tolerate hard water. An easy
solution is to use rain water collected from down spouts. Some Disa growers do
fertilize their plants but I find that for the beginning grower it is better
to not do so. They are very sensitive to fertilizers as well. Disa will
tolerate sun as long as their roots are kept cool. Overheating of the root
zone will quickly invite all sorts of wonderful bacteria and fungus
infections.
    Disa seed can be germinated easily by sowing the seed on the surface of
finely chopped and sterilized sphagnum moss. The moss can be sterilized by
pouring boiling water over the surface of the pots.  Disa seed is small- It
makes Begonia seed look like acorns. Set the pots in saucers of water
overnight to allow the medium to be completely saturated. Tap the dust like
seed on to the surface and place a piece of glass over the top of the pot.
Plastic wrap can be used if it is kept loose to allow air circulation. Keep
the pots in saucers of water out of direct sunlight and wait The seed will
germinate in a matter of months and small plantlets will develop within a
year. Let them grow on for a while in a community pot before transplanting.
With good culture the plants will grow to blooming size with in 3-4 years.
    Don't be frightened away by all those restrictions. If you grow
carniverous plants there is no reason that you could not grow Disa uniflora.
Many Disa growers build hydroculture tables that keep the pots partially
submerged in running water but this is not necessary. I have seen gorgeous
plants grown without this method.There are many articles on their culture in
past issues of the American Orchid Society Bulletin and one about Warren
Stoutmire (famed Disa grower) in a back issue of Horticulture.
    The little things that a person has to do in order to grow Disa uniflora
are more than rewarded when the plants bloom. A good Disa uniflora can have 5"
red flowers that could make a Ferrari jealous. With modern hybrids the range
of colors that are available would rival any sunset. All worth it for Disa
uniflora,  justifiably called the "Pride of Table Mountain".

Any other questions?
Marc
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