Question: Vanilla Planiflora stem or spike? - Orchid Board

Junebug · #1 05-28-2010, 01:14 PM

My Vanilla was about 18' long when last measured in September. The plant has never branched and between then and now the leading stem tip got broken. The plant looks healthy and is beginning to send new roots and growth from a few of the nodes. I've never seen one of these guys in bud so my question is: Are these stem growths or spikes? Either way I'll be happy.

phearamedusa · #2 05-28-2010, 09:12 PM

I'm not sure what they are, but it looks healthy. If I were to hazard a guess .... flower spike.

Junebug · #3 05-28-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phearamedusa

I'm not sure what they are, but it looks healthy. If I were to hazard a guess .... flower spike.

Thanks. Guess I'll just have to wait and see. There are no roots coming from the growths yet so they might be flower spikes.

2ljd · #4 05-29-2010, 04:59 PM

Hi,

Sorry to say, but that's a new shoot coming out. I've attached some pics I just took of my vines in flower...you can see in the first pic, a new shoot emerging from a vine. In the second pic is a shot of a developing flower spike. The third shot is a bloom that opened this morning, and in the final pic is a full shot of a spike that has previously bloomed, blooming and developing flowers.

CTB · #5 05-29-2010, 05:22 PM

pretty flower, are they hard to grow?

Junebug · #6 05-29-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ljd

Hi,

Sorry to say, but that's a new shoot coming out. I've attached some pics I just took of my vines in flower...you can see in the first pic, a new shoot emerging from a vine. In the second pic is a shot of a developing flower spike. The third shot is a bloom that opened this morning, and in the final pic is a full shot of a spike that has previously bloomed, blooming and developing flowers.

That's o.k. Growth is good so there's nothing to be sorry about. My plant hasn't shown new growth since winter so I'm happy she's branching out.

Thank you for the pictures.

Junebug · #7 05-29-2010, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTB

pretty flower, are they hard to grow?

They're easy to grow and make an attractive vine. They must reach a certain level of maturity before blooming and their blooms last only a day..I think. They're sort of a conversation piece. People are often surprised to discover that vanilla pods are produced by an orchid.

2ljd · #8 05-29-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junebug

They're easy to grow and make an attractive vine. They must reach a certain level of maturity before blooming and their blooms last only a day..I think. They're sort of a conversation piece. People are often surprised to discover that vanilla pods are produced by an orchid.

Junebug is correct; they are relatively easy to grow, but the problem most folks encounter is trying to provide them with enough space. These vines can get massive after a few years...

Oh, and the flowers do last for only a day.

CTB · #9 05-29-2010, 09:47 PM

I think I'd like to grow one just for the uniqueness of the pod. How long does it take to flower or produce pods.????????????

2ljd · #10 05-29-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTB

I think I'd like to grow one just for the uniqueness of the pod. How long does it take to flower or produce pods.????????????

Hi Carol,

It depends on your growing conditions. Given the right enviornment, I'd say it would take between 3-4 years to get flowers...another 9 months or so to have mature pods.