Re: Disa uniflora-the pride of table mountian
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> To Marc & anyone else who can help. I read the above & from what Marc says, I
> can grow them because I grow Droseras & Sarracenias in rain water & long-fibred
> spaghnum moss. The next question is where can I get some seeds to try? Thanks,
> Judy Showers (http://www.epix.net/~jshowers)
> j*@epix.net
Judy-
I can honestly say that Disa uniflora is more accepting to cultivation than
most terrestrial orchids.Disa uniflora is not winter hardy though. Although in their
native habitiat it does get quite cold, periods of freezing will kill them. They can
be grown on a windowsill or cool greenhouse. Disa uniflora will go through a
dormancy in winter in which the growth will slow down or the plant will go sleep .
You might like to keep them slightly drier during this time but still moist (if that
makes sense) Disa seed is available from a number of different sources. I have to
look to find some addresses but if you have Barbara Barton's book Gardening by Mail
you can find a number of different sources in there. SilverHill Seeds, Rust-en-Verde
Nursery, Chiltern Seeds, to name a few. I think that SilverHill is the only one on
line (www.silverhillseeds.co.za). SilverHill has carried it in the past and I am
sure that they will in the future. Fresh seed is of course the best for germination.
Disa uniflora's main enemies are thrips, aphids, and spider mites. Disa can be
sensitive to insecticides and fungicides. For the creeping critters use dilute
solutions of ivory soap to control them. I'll try to come up with a bibliography on
Disa if anyone is interested pleast privately email me.
Marc
