Disas , the first to flower in my new collection

[Dorsetman]

I don't think I said before, but I had a disaster in my collection last year , and lost maybe 3/4 of all my plants - or had them so badly damaged that got rid of them anyway. Since then I have been rebuilding, having changed my conditions to suit much cooler growing orchids ; gone are the large Vandas, and most of the cattleyas ; in come cymbidiums, masdevallias, pleiones, disas etc.
I am growing the disas in a stream of water running in a length of gutter. The water is recirculated continuously and flows through a refrigerator ( I had a bit of fun building this ; and modifying it from time to time ). But the point here is that some of these plants grow in the wild on top of Table Mountain, in South Africa, where there is a mist, low cloud, hanging about all day for 3 days out of 4. So the stream is formed of newly condensed mist, and is cold. My 'frig drops the temperature by about 7 degrees C ( 14 degrees F.). Today - England south coast - we had a lovely eartly summer day , 20 C in the shade in my garden, 30 in the greenhouse, but 23 in the stream. 20 or even lower would be better - Mark 4 is being planned in my head to achieve this.
The top one is D.,uniflora - which usually has three flowers despite the name , here seen in the formn 'Red River' where it grows wild. The next is a hybrid - D.Kewensis , and the clone is 'Alice' ; the two with much smaller flowers are species - tripetalloides with white floweers, and aurata with yellow flowers.
I hope to start hybridising next year, when these plants are a bit bigger and stronger -it is too much to expect a young plant in its first year of flowering to bear a seed pod, without the risk of killing it. Fortunately ( since I am already a young 82 year old) they are fairly quick to grow - or so I am told.

[PaphMadMan]

Especially nice to see the 2 species, and hard work paying off. I understand that Disa seeds are larger than other orchids, and can often be grown successfully without aseptic culture. It sounds like you have the conditions worked out, so growing your own seedlings when you have them should be satisfying.

[78Terp]

The red one is quite striking!

[ksriramkumar]

Love your collection of Disa's. great growing. Interesting to read about the DIY water recirculation system. Excellent Idea. You are an inspiration to all of us.

[zainal abidin]

Sorry to your lost thank for showing this wonderful species very beautiful and wonderful photography too.

[orchidsal]

Beautiful blooms Geoff. I'm impressed with your spirit of innovation. It seems to serve you well sir. AL

[catttan]

First off , welcome. Back Geoff. Great pictures as usual , so presumably your eyes must have recovered well. So glad you have started a new collection and we can expect to see more of your posts.

Those Disas are gorgeous . Wishing you and your missus the best of health

[Nataliwind]

I don't think I said before, but I had a disaster in my collection last year , and lost maybe 3/4 of all my plants - or had them so badly damaged that got rid of them anyway.

Great to see you Geoff!
I am sorry to hear about your lost. I remember your wonderful blooms.

I am growing the disas in a stream of water running in a length of gutter. The water is recirculated continuously and flows through a refrigerator ( I had a bit of fun building this ; and modifying it from time to time ).
The top one is D.,uniflora - which usually has three flowers despite the name , here seen in the formn 'Red River' where it grows wild. The next is a hybrid - D.Kewensis , and the clone is 'Alice' ; the two with much smaller flowers are species - tripetalloides with white floweers, and aurata with yellow flowers.

WOW! Unbelievable and unreal!!
Congratulations!
I wish I could grow this beauty.

[Ron-NY]

You have taken on a challenge. My friend has given these a try. He built and ebb/flow table for them, that gets flooded daily. I am not sure how they will do for it does get warm in his greenhouse during the summer months

[pavel]

Good to see you back, Geoff!

Gorgeous flowers! Particularly like the three species. Have always loved seeing photos of Disas. Unfortunately, there is no way I can grow them in my apt and so have never even toyed with trying. I will simply have to continue living vicariously through others such as yourself, in that regard.