My Spiranthes odorata had a hard time this year, I think the Summer was too hot for them and shortened the spikes and a Chipmunk razor-bladed a bunch of them. I had to place extra netting around this small patch to get some to bloom.

But they are invincible! Yard warriors! So good to see some in full bloom!

Yes, they are tough little plants! Hopefully I get a better bloom next year.

I bet you will!

Spiranthes odorata continues to open. Love this plant!!!

Very very pretty!!

Ursula you probably told me already but how would you grow the calanthes in the pot. They have new growth which is a bit stalled in the cold. I keep them outside unless it's in the low 40's. My plan for the potted bletillas is to water maybe once a month and keep them in a sunny unheated room (the gym) as if they were protected outside.

I am thinking how my outside conditions translate to yours. Calanthe Kozu can be grown outside here with a mulch. Ditto for the Bletillas. in Fall I simply throw a pile of leaves on top of them. Which would mean that simply any cold spot must be fine, as long as the pot doesn't really freeze through.
When nature warms up, bring the pots into warmer sunnier surrounding.
This is not written in stone.....

I guess I will treat the calanthes like the bletillas then. There will be warmer days (40s +) in the unheated room but I'll have to keep an eye on them during really cold spells.

Good luck!!

Thanks for your input. I'm sure they'll do fine.

OMG I just bought Disa seeds. I must be insane. Or at least expecting to live many years!

Don't they need to be flasked?

Not according to 2 sources I found. They are enclosed in sealed plastic bags though. So we will see either my success or more likely my failure!

I just read up on this - it may just work! They seem to sow it on Sphagnum.

Yup! This may be the only sphagnum success!!! Or attempt!!! Apparently, they grow well in sphagnum and distilled water (I'll use RO water). With an adult plant, yourepot in new sphagnum once a year. Another source says to germinate them in kitty litter. BTW, this seller has South African plant seeds. You may be interested Ursula. He also has proteas. I was a total disaster on the seeds you gave me though. Seeds are rarely a big success here but I have grown some iris from South America (if they would only bloom!) Here's his website. http://www.exotic-plants.de/se...

Ah, I see. The german guys!
Very interesting seeds!

Do you know of them??

They lead you to this site
http://www.orchideenvermehrung...
regarding the seed germination. I was wondering if they are the same. I have tried the bark method....

Any success?