Disa chrysostachya

Also known as: The Golden Yellow Disa in the subfamily: Orchidoideae

Native to: South Africa

General Information

The Golden Yellow Disa is a cool to warm growing orchid belonging to the sub family Orchidoideae native to South Africa.

Plant Description

Grows to 25-100cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 9-12cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 100cm

Substrate(s)

• Spaghnum Moss
• Sand

Climate

These orchids thrive in hot, steamy locations, living in low altitude jungle areas where they often receive heavy sporadic rainfall, warm humid winds, and sunlight filtered year round by the surrounding growth. 

They can survive, but will often struggle if the humid, warm conditions are not met - roots will die back and leaves will thin out, spikes and buds can be aborted if conditions change too frequently during flowering. They can tolerate cooler or drier conditions temporarily, but extended exposure will seriously affect them.

They will grow best in the tropics, especially coastal areas where they receive ocean breezes, but can do well in a greenhouse, supplied that the humidity is kept high, temperature is not allowed to skyrocket and extra shade is provided during hot weather.

 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 28mm to 130mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 63% to 77%, highest in September and lowest in December. Temperature ranges from 8C to 24C, highest in July (18C to 24C) and lowest in January (8C to 19C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. This plant is sensitive so apply fertiliser sparingly at one quarter recommended strength or less.

Potting

Repotting is best done annually.