Bartholina

[mrobert]

I contacted Duckitt last year but am sorry to report that they did not reply; I used the info@duckittnursies.com, perhaps the other address you found will help. I'll try to e-mail them again.

There are some domestic nurseries offering disa. Two that came up in my search are goreorchids.com and camponeorchids.com. I believe they are both in Oregon.

Very few members of our local orchid society have had success with disa. The few members that have had success claim they are as easy as cymbidiums if you have pure water.

Are there any nurseries in your area offering disa?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

There aren't any specialty nurseries that cater to plants like Disa here.

Many of the plants in my collection are either from another county, another state, or another country. And none of them are Disa spp.

[orchidhunter]

Duckitt Nurseries are rather mysterious, aren't they? They have no presence at South African orchid shows that I'm aware of. Almost everything they produce goes to the international cut flower market. I know this because I saw a television interview once. When we visited the lovely little town of Darling, we couldn't even find the nursery, even though it's the single biggest industry in the town (which otherwise consists of a railway station and a church). You can find evidence of them, however: almost every piece in the Darling Municipal Museum was donated by the Duckitt family.

In all my years, I've only seen a cultivated Bartholina once. Its owner must have been a genius. I wouldn't be surprised if it was growing in a pot of Cape soil.

[mrobert]

I've heard stories of cut flowers, and plants I believe, from Duckitt being sold in Woolworth's department stores. If this is the same Woolworth's we have (had) here in the states...well that's mind-blowing.

[orchidhunter]

Originally Posted by mrobert

I've heard stories of cut flowers, and plants I believe, from Duckitt being sold in Woolworth's department stores. If this is the same Woolworth's we have (had) here in the states...well that's mind-blowing.

Yes, I do think some of the Cymbidium plants and stems sold in Woolworths in South Africa could be from them. And our Woolworths is affiliated with Marks & Spencer in the UK. Not the British Woolworths and definitely not the US Woolworth's. You'll understand why when you've been in one!

[mrobert]

Orchidhunter- Any chance you'll be going back to the RSA any time soon?

[Wilferd Duckitt]

Dear Mateo and other Orchid Enthusiasts

Duckitt Nurseries produces Cymbidium cut-flowers for the Export Market, and also produces Cymbidium, Cattleya, Ansellia, Disa, Oncidumnia, Polystachya, Angraecum, Zygopetalum and several other types for the Local potplant market.
With regards to Bartholina, we did succesfully cultivate B. burmanniana and B. etheliae a few years ago.
They are however difficuly to propagate and especially tricky to deflask.
Since we are a Commercial Nursery, we concentrate on the varieties that "pay their bills"

Our nursery is open to the public every 1st Saturday of the months May-Nov from 09h00-12h00.
We also have our own annual Orchid show at Oudepost farm from 18-21 Sept 2008 from 09h00-17h00.

Happy Growing!
Wilferd Duckitt
pp Duckitt Nurseries (Pty) Ltd.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Mr. Duckitt. How can someone from the United States purchase plants like Disa cooperi, Disa stairsii, Disa chrysostachya, Disa cornuta, Disa lugens, or Disa hians from you?

[Wilferd Duckitt]

Dear Sir
We grow only Disa uniflora and its hybrids. The Summer rainfall Disas are notoriously difficult to grow. I suggest you contact members of the northern provinces of South Africa. Contact details are on the SAOC website.
Best regards
Wilferd Duckitt

[mrobert]

Mr. Duckitt, Thank you so much for your reply. You've confirmed much of what I assumed, mainly that bartholinae are extremely hard to grow. If I am ever in RSA I will be sure to visit! Thank you-