Vanilla planifolia - Orchid Board

Ferrick · #1 12-12-2010, 11:19 AM

I have 2 Vanillas here. One was bought in April 2010, the other December 2009. They are both thriving, but now only about 2.5 feet in length. How much longer/larger does it need to get to flower? Looking forward to flowers.

nhman · #2 12-12-2010, 12:45 PM

A lot longer, actually.
Most of these vines need to be about 15 feet long before flowering - that is IF they have enough light to do so. Then you will have a VERY short period of time to hand pollinate the flowers that last less than 24 hours and open at night. There is even an old discussion about this topic on this Board that even has a link to a step by step pictorial on how to pollinate the flowers.
Patience - and the need for more space - is in your future with this vine!!

camille1585 · #3 12-12-2010, 01:03 PM

Yup, they need to be very much longer! (nd need lots of light) I remember seeing pics here of some with were basically wrapped around a wide trellis over and over again so that the plant could grow but not take up as much space as letting the stem amble along in a straight line.

Happy growing, your plant looks nice and healthy!

weng · #4 12-18-2010, 12:49 PM

How much larger? When it gets to 50 feet!

Weng

BobInBonita · #5 12-18-2010, 06:38 PM

I've read about 25 feet is blooming size, but I think it's also pretty light dependent. Mine are a year old and have grown from 6" to about 4'. Not anticipating too much for a while. Orchids are a long game.

weng · #6 12-19-2010, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobInBonita

I've read about 25 feet is blooming size, but I think it's also pretty light dependent.

No arguments about that. Strain, conditions & culture all affect blooming. My fruiting apple trees vary from 3ft to 40ft. The same must also apply to orchids.

camille1585 · #7 12-19-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weng

No arguments about that. Strain, conditions & culture all affect blooming. My fruiting apple trees vary from 3ft to 40ft. The same must also apply to orchids.

Not really a good comparison, your apple trees' vigor will also be affected by if they are grafted, and if so, what kind of root stock they are grafted on. That's not the case with orchids.

weng · #8 12-20-2010, 06:04 AM

Absolutely right Camille. But the root stocks are strains of apples too!

RobS · #9 12-28-2010, 06:21 PM

Warm lots of light and suspended. I've seen plants flower that should be arround 10 feet. But that was a different species of Vanilla then this one I think at least the plant habit was different. All parts of the plant were a lot larger and thicker. Not sure about any of the names.