Vanilla Growth - Orchid Board

JaneEyre · #1 02-17-2012, 12:08 AM

Not sure what to do with my Vanilla plant. I am growing it indoors; I know I don't have the right humidity for it, but I am working on it. I've had it about a year and it grew couple feet tall, but now it reached the end of its supporting stick. What is the best way for me to support it? Should I pry the plant off the stick and attach it to a longer one? a trellis? I'm afraid I will break the plant.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

P.S.: the tag says "Vanilla planifolia variegated green and white" is that the same as "Vanilla planifolia variegata"?

BruceP · #2 02-17-2012, 12:31 AM

Whatever you do, don't attempt to pry it off the stick. You will likely destroy a number of the roots (it looks as if it's just getting established) and you may well end up breaking the plant. Just attach the whole thing to something taller - a trellis with the base inside a large pot works well - that will let it get to 6-8 feet. At that point, you want to let it flop over as Vanillas tend to flower only after they've reached the top of whatever they're growing on.
And yes, you have (a baby) Vanilla planifolia variegata. These things get monstrously large. Some of the leaves on mine are as large as dinner plates!

Bud · #3 02-17-2012, 12:32 AM

I saw the way they grow vanillas on Youtube...they let it grow all the way up on high trees then let it hang downwards to the ground or to a level where they can reach the flowers to pollinate it...so you might want to spiral it downwards and then spiral it up again if it reaches the bottom...

JaneEyre · #4 02-17-2012, 01:42 AM

Thanks Bruce and Bud. This helps. I'm glad I asked before I did something drastic.

Looks like I am going to Home Depot this weekend to get a trellis of sorts.

ASP · #5 04-17-2012, 10:26 AM

Just wind it downwards and when it reaches the bottom start going up again

You will end up with a big green bushy support. Just be gentle and wind it as it grows a few inches or you will snap it. Some twine helps if it wont stay in position.

JaneEyre · #6 04-18-2012, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASP

Just wind it downwards and when it reaches the bottom start going up again

You will end up with a big green bushy support. Just be gentle and wind it as it grows a few inches or you will snap it. Some twine helps if it wont stay in position.

Thanks for the tip.

I just saw a post here someone has their vanilla about 50' long all tangled up and twisted on a post. The plant in the pic looked incredible. It may be awhile for my cutting to reach those lengths. Patience, patience, patience...

vmijct · #7 04-22-2012, 10:09 PM

You can also tie a string to your cieling and let it climb up and loop down naturally. I mist mine but that may not be practical indoors. Yours looks happy though. Mine do best that way. The vine gets thicker. Also, try not to move it, they don't like that. Check out the pics of the 7-8 vanilla species in my greenhouse picks. Also, just put my first vanilla pods in vodka 2-3 mo ago. BTW, is this a Vanilla variegata 'alobomarginata'?

Leafmite · #8 04-22-2012, 10:18 PM

Wow! Harvesting vanilla! Congratulations!

Junebug · #9 04-23-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneEyre

Thanks for the tip.

I just saw a post here someone has their vanilla about 50' long all tangled up and twisted on a post. The plant in the pic looked incredible. It may be awhile for my cutting to reach those lengths. Patience, patience, patience...

Hello, Jane. In reference to the 50' Vanilla...I add another trellis as it outgrows one, but the original trellises are left in the pot. Unrapping her vines was out of the question because her roots were firmly attached. My plant is double potted because I couldn't figure out a safe way of removing it from the original terracotta pot.

JaneEyre · #10 04-23-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vmijct

You can also tie a string to your cieling and let it climb up and loop down naturally. I mist mine but that may not be practical indoors. *Yours looks happy though. * Mine do best that way. *The vine gets thicker. Also, try not to move it, they don't like that. *Check out the pics of the 7-8 vanilla species in my greenhouse picks. *Also, just put my first vanilla pods in vodka 2-3 mo ago. *BTW, is this a Vanilla variegata 'alobomarginata'?

Oh, I've been moving it alot each time I water - I guess I can't avoid that for indoor growing. I may have to come up with something more permanent.*Its a great idea to tie a string to the ceiling. Thanks for the suggestion. I am not sure about*'alobomarginata', the label reads exactly "Vanilla planifolia variegated green and white" from Andy's Orchids.*