Vanilla Planiflora potted in soil - Orchid Board

spiregrain · #1 09-01-2008, 02:23 PM

Hi!

I just bought a happy little vanilla planiflora from a great nursery in CT. The plant looks great, very healthy. I have always heard that vanilla is a type of orchid, but this one very clearly came potted in soil rather than some kind of potting medium. Is this really right? Should I change it to something else? If so, what?

Cheers!
- Tay

cb977 · #2 09-01-2008, 02:37 PM

Nope..it's right

I find my vanilla does great planted in African Violet mix. There really isn't much in the way of roots with Vanilla so the key is to have something that it can grow onto. I have a large pole with tree fern totems attached to it. The plant actually does it's growing along the tree fern, not really from the pot.

quiltingwacko · #3 09-01-2008, 03:30 PM

Thanks Suzanne! I just ordered one from Andy's Orchids. So now I know what to repot in if it is necessary. Can't wait til it gets here.

cb977 · #4 09-01-2008, 03:39 PM

I know people who chose another type of pole for the plant to grow on and they aren't having the same success that mine is. I really think the tree fern totem is the key. The roots are intertwined throughout the whole thing and very happy

quiltingwacko · #5 09-01-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb977

I know people who chose another type of pole for the plant to grow on and they aren't having the same success that mine is. I really think the tree fern totem is the key. The roots are intertwined throughout the whole thing and very happy

I'll have to look into that. I was planning on growing it in my kitchen or kitchen nook. Don't know anything about tree ferns beyond their obvious beauty. They may not be suited to my kitchen you know. I might as well live in a greenhouse with all the plants around here!

cb977 · #6 09-01-2008, 03:57 PM

This is what the totems look like, available in different sizes. The ones I use for the vanilla are 2"x2"x2' long

http://shop.greenbarnorchid.com/prod...&productId=318

quiltingwacko · #7 09-01-2008, 04:08 PM

Oh, I though you meant a living growing tree fern.

Thanks much. Clued in now. Carol

cb977 · #8 09-01-2008, 04:10 PM

linda · #9 01-22-2009, 09:00 AM

Oh, I though you meant a living growing tree fern. Thanks much. Clued in now. Carol

Good Morning,
I thought that this was so cute!!!!!!
I am in Florida were today is freezing cold and I have had some bad luck, so reading this was just my pick me up for the day. I'm still laughing. Thank You so much. The little laughing happy guy was really cute to.

quiltingwacko · #10 01-22-2009, 11:13 AM

The frost is on the bumpkins here too Linda! ( Oregon) Hope you have a better day today. Carol (We are a crazy group aren't we? But we do have our fun.)