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[RandomGemini]

You might get some more feedback by posting this on the alliance section of the forum too.

Miscellaneous & Other Genera - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I grow Disas. I currently have Disa sagittalis.

If they are seedlings. Give him all of them. Do not just give him one. There will need to be a hardening off period, and they will not be easy to harden off.

I'll post a bit more in a bit.

---------- Post added at 10:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 AM ----------

I've grown Disa cardinalis before as well.

Likes it more in the intermediate temperature range, it doesn't really grow in cold temperatures.

It likes very bright light. In fact, it can take full sun here in Southern California.

This will not tolerate long dry spells. They grow by streams, so they are consistently moist.

They can still rot, however, so do not keep them soggy.

You can grow them in the type of sands they grow in in the wild, or you can use perlite and shredded Sphagnum moss.

[Rob189]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I grow Disas. I currently have Disa sagittalis.

If they are seedlings. Give him all of them. Do not just give him one. There will need to be a hardening off period, and they will not be easy to harden off.

I'll post a bit more in a bit.

Decided to give him none of them haha. I'm going to buy him a nice little orchid....and well ive already grown attached


oh and i've given up on getting the pics on this thread, but i aded the pics to the "my orchids" part in my profile

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Ask Hildegard, how to harden the plants off properly. She will tell you the steps it takes.

Be careful that the roots do not get damaged. If they do, there will be rather harsh consequences.

Good luck.

---------- Post added at 10:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:05 AM ----------

Btw, in general, they reproduce rather quickly, so if they do well for you, then you can give your father one when they are mature sprouts.

---------- Post added at 10:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:06 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Rob189

Questions:

2) Must i still soak the plants in water for 2-3 days like the instructions state?

Do exactly as stated.

Originally Posted by Rob189

3) The jar also says that i must grow the orchids in 60% sphagnum moss and 40% quartz grit. Is there anything that is better or is that alright (I don't trust instructions on jars)

The mix is fine.

Originally Posted by Rob189

4) I keep Marine fish and corals and I've recently upgraded to a new tank, which leaves me with 2 x 150W Metal halides. Can i use them? one of them is a MH (12000k which is very blue), and the other is a HPS bulb (2500k i think). Can i put the 2 lights next to each other to essentially "mix" the light? Or is that a bit too intense for a little orchid?

I'd use 5,500 K or 5200 K. The wattage is fine.

Originally Posted by Rob189

The orchid is a Disa Cardinalis btw

[Rob189]

Ok cool thanks

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Rob189

so lets talk soil...
would 60% sphagnum and 40% quartz grit be alright? Or are there easier and better things to get hold of?

Instead of Sphagnum, you can use coconut coir.

If you can't get quartz grit, you can use perlite.

Originally Posted by Rob189

The instructions also said that i must put them in a 10cm pot (right size?). The Disas are about 7cm tall.

All 3 of them in a 10 cm pot. And since the roots are shallow, right now, the depth of the potting media should only be about 1 1/2 - 2 times the length of the roots.

When they get larger, you may separate them to their own individual pots. The roots will grow longer in time, give it 6 - 7 months, though.

Originally Posted by Rob189

"Never use tap water on Disas." <-- From some website...is it true?

That depends on the total dissolved solids of your tap water.

These guys don't like too much calcium. They need calcium, but not a lot of it.

They are more potassium hogs. Use bulb food as a fertilizer instead of orchid fertilizer.

---------- Post added at 10:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------

Forgot...

They are evergreen, but they grow the fastest during the warmer months.

However, they grow in the winter rainfall regions of South Africa.

[Rob189]

@King_of_orchid_growing

Thanks so much. Greatly appreciated

[bothal08]

goodluck bromigo

[Rob189]

Originally Posted by bothal08

goodluck bromigo

Thanks bro