Saffron Update

Disa Saffron which I treated last year with 10% bleach solution to cure rot has progressed with both shoots producing ample new growth this season. I'm hoping the signs are good to see some blooms.

Early Bloomer

Last week my first Disa came into full bloom, unusually early. Disa orangeade is a new variety from Alba Labs in South Africa. This plant was grown on and purchased from Germany. It is short and stubby in growth and like other early blooms I have seen before on the Net, has appeared peloric and upward facing. It will be interesting to see weather subsequent blooms are the same. Last year I had Orangeade and Safron showing the same growth pattern i.e. short and stubby Orangeade didn't survive but the offsets I saved from Safron seem to be growing normally this year. It will be interesting to see if the plants are mutant or weather it was the flasking/growing on methods that caused these problems. It would be interesting to hear if anyone else has had similar problems.

I have increased my Disa collection to 30+ varieties and hope to produce more seed this year.

Last years germinated seedlings are doing well and beginning to put on growth as the day length increases. Best results seem to have come from sowing on moss but sand and peat/perlite has worked as well. Moss growth and green jelly like growths on the peat have been a problem. There was a noticeable difference in the germination rates between those seeds sown immediately after harvesting and those sown a month later.

It would be nice if any other Disa growers are reading this Blog if they would get in touch via the e-mail link. Pollen swaps or seed swaps could be organised during this season.

Update

Phal. Firecracker Blue Martini

The hydroponics systems are all functioning well and so far the various orchids are still thriving in their new conditions. Phalaenopsis Blue Martini is in bloom. Several of the Dendrobiums are about to bloom.

The Disa Safron offshoots which I treated with a 10% bleach solution earlier this year to combat rot have survived and are doing well.

The various seed sowings have produced mixed results and I guess some of my crosses didn't produce viable seed. Those that did are currently germinating and producing small leaves. I have trialled various sowing media and conditions. Some sown in moss, some in sand, some in peat/perlite mix. One batch are in the same conditions as the mother plants, the rest are in conventional seed propogators. It will be interesting to see the results later in the year. Currently all methods are producing seedlings.

The Blue Phal seedlings have been transferred into the main hydroponics tray.

Three trial sowings in with the mother plants

Disa Safron survivor

Disa Update

I decided to take radical action with my Disa Saffron - having used anti-fugal spray the rotting didn't seem to be stabilising so I have split the plant. I also took the risk of treating the pieces with a dilute solution of bleach, just to see what happens. Well the leaves didn't take too kindly and within hours the tips turned brown, I've trimmed them back and so far the transplanted pieces are surviving. I feel this was probably the worst thing I could have done to the plant but if it was going to die anyway I thought this might be worth a try. The more experienced Disa growers viewing may wish to comment and maybe suggest some alternative strategies.
The Disa seeds I purchased and have tried sowing on a 50/50 peat and perlite mix don't not seem to be doing too well either. Under a magnifying glass it looks as though a bluish mould is growing around the seeds. I will try some other media with the seeds I hope are in the swelling pods of the pollinated Disas I am nurturing. May try sand next. Perhaps the seeds were not stored correctly or maybe I should have sterilised the peat. Any help would be appreciated from other Disa growers who have successfully germinated seeds without going the in-vitro route.

Problem Disas

I bought these Disas via E-Bay from Europe. Unfortunately they took two weeks to arrive and suffered as a consequence. They are Orangeade and Saffron. Orangeade in the first pic seems the better of the two but the flower is damaged (since removed). Saffron in the bottom three pics has contracted a fungal rot - treated so I have to wait and see. Buyer beware - be sure the post is fast if you buy online.

Disas

I am trialling a small home made continuous flow tray for the Disas at the moment. If this works satisfactorily I will continue with this method when we set up the new greenhouse for them. I have purchased some Aurata and Uniflora seeds to have a try at germination on compost. I have also had a first try at pollination with the Disas I have so far, to produce more seed to experiment with. Cross and self pollination has seemed to produce some healthy seed pods on Kewensis and Watsonii. Brides Dream and Orangeade are pending. I am going to see if I can source some Uniflora plants as well to increase my collection. The last photo shows a pot with seeds sown this week.