Regarding "peat", I think it is important to distinguish between what some call "peat moss" and "peat". At least here in the US, the term "peat moss" is thrown around. Often it just means milled moss, as in milled sphagnum, but the phrase "peat moss" can be used with more than one meaning so it can be confusing. On the other hand, "peat" as meant in wetland soils is partially decomposed plant matter (not just from moss.) The "peat" that is needed for wet-root plants like your Disas are the latter, the partially decomposed plants. The problem for conservation is that wetlands have been drained and harvested for the peat (which when dry burns as a low-energy density fuel, which doesn't have the energy content of coal, but as peat is near the surface it was readily available in the past.) The conservation issue is the destruction of wetlands for the peat. Unlike renewable moss (which can be grown for harvesting for horticultural use), peat takes many years to build up in a wetland.
Hi Roger, I have been successfully growing a disa uniflora and I am about to repot its 3 little offsprings, I do not have pure "real" peat, unfortunately. I will risk using fertilizer-free garden type "peat potting mix". I will learn something out of it…. Will let you know what it is ! Thanks Roger.
No RO system=No Disa's😢 We have a "tank" that hold 700 gallons (no conversion, I'm still working Celcius vs. Fahrenheit😏) of rainwater but it's run off from the roof and gutters which concerns me enough to just use it on the outdoor garden plants, I may experiment with a Phalaenopsis soon....anyway I enjoy looking at and hearing about yours!
Not difficult? Lol you must be kidding 😂. You have the cool British climate the buggers are a nightmare to grow in Cape Town. The one orchid you can add ice to 🤣. Killed 6 already but I’m going to attempt again once lockdown is over. Awesome video, enjoyed watching, and really beautiful plants.
A guy I know used to grow hundreds of Disas. He set up a channel all around the greenhouse with flowing water (like a stream) and he stood his plants in this moving water. He added a refrigeration unit to keep the water very cool. Many in the UK grow them outside during most of the year and just give them protection from the lowest temps and the Winter rains.
Shall be looking for a cheap Disa to trial here in tropical Qld... I can get peat and not just coir peat... I checked that... shall treat it a little like my Aussie terrestrials.
Roger, would destiled water that is chilled to 5 celsius be okay to water this gals? I am getting some Disa uniflora hybrids and I wonder if it applies to this too. I heard they need clay as substrate
![Disa Orchid Expedition [Disa uniflora]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZUazjh4Gl3k/mqdefault.jpg)
Regarding "peat", I think it is important to distinguish between what some call "peat moss" and "peat". At least here in the US, the term "peat moss" is thrown around. Often it just means milled moss, as in milled sphagnum, but the phrase "peat moss" can be used with more than one meaning so it can be confusing. On the other hand, "peat" as meant in wetland soils is partially decomposed plant matter (not just from moss.) The "peat" that is needed for wet-root plants like your Disas are the latter, the partially decomposed plants. The problem for conservation is that wetlands have been drained and harvested for the peat (which when dry burns as a low-energy density fuel, which doesn't have the energy content of coal, but as peat is near the surface it was readily available in the past.) The conservation issue is the destruction of wetlands for the peat. Unlike renewable moss (which can be grown for harvesting for horticultural use), peat takes many years to build up in a wetland.
They're beautiful
Invaluable info! Thank you 😊
You're welcome.
A cool talk on a day with 32 degrees 😁
We've got some heat coming later in the week but it doesn't look like it will last long.
So interesting,not a priority on my list,but good to learn about orchids which are keen on water..as I tend to water generously😊.
In the growing season, these stand in water - impossible to 'overwater'.
Hi Roger, I have been successfully growing a disa uniflora and I am about to repot its 3 little offsprings, I do not have pure "real" peat, unfortunately. I will risk using fertilizer-free garden type "peat potting mix". I will learn something out of it…. Will let you know what it is ! Thanks Roger.
I lost all mine to rot after repotting - and I did have real peat.
No RO system=No Disa's😢 We have a "tank" that hold 700 gallons (no conversion, I'm still working Celcius vs. Fahrenheit😏) of rainwater but it's run off from the roof and gutters which concerns me enough to just use it on the outdoor garden plants, I may experiment with a Phalaenopsis soon....anyway I enjoy looking at and hearing about yours!
I'm hoping to get some more as I would like a range of colours.
Not difficult? Lol you must be kidding 😂. You have the cool British climate the buggers are a nightmare to grow in Cape Town. The one orchid you can add ice to 🤣. Killed 6 already but I’m going to attempt again once lockdown is over. Awesome video, enjoyed watching, and really beautiful plants.
A guy I know used to grow hundreds of Disas. He set up a channel all around the greenhouse with flowing water (like a stream) and he stood his plants in this moving water. He added a refrigeration unit to keep the water very cool. Many in the UK grow them outside during most of the year and just give them protection from the lowest temps and the Winter rains.
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome.
Very interesting plants and lesson. If I find one I know what to do now.
I'm not looking forward to repotting these but either this Autumn or next Spring, they will need to be split and repotted.
Roger's Orchids 😊🤞🏻that would be a honor
Shall be looking for a cheap Disa to trial here in tropical Qld... I can get peat and not just coir peat... I checked that... shall treat it a little like my Aussie terrestrials.
Roger, would destiled water that is chilled to 5 celsius be okay to water this gals? I am getting some Disa uniflora hybrids and I wonder if it applies to this too. I heard they need clay as substrate
Disas need an acidic media - peat-moss is good but not 'eco-friendly'. Any form of pure water is good - Ro, rain, distilled.
@@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai alright thanks
@@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai I found peat that is from sphaghnum and is acidic will it work?
@@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai it is called lithuanian peat, will it work?