Leptotes bicolor spikes?

[Ordphien]

I just received a leptotes in the mail. And two growths have what I think is a spike?
If so are they still viable?


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[Paphluvr]

Haven't grow Leptotes bicolor in a while, but as I recall, that's where the flower spike emerges from. Enjoy!

[Subrosa]

That's them!

[Bud]

Yep! Those are spikes. They will bloom and after they open you can photograph them and cross pollinate each flower to get a pod....after three months you dry them for a couple of days under the sun then you may get a flavorful vanillin to flavor your milk or ice cream....

[lepetitmartien]

Mhmm could be

[Subrosa]

Fwiw I got several of these around 7 months ago, most of which were in spike. The spikes that were most developed actually crapped out, probably from the stress of settling in to their new environs. But the plants themselves were fine, and started growing in short order. So if this happens don't be too worried. These are very hardy orchids, so just give them reasonable care and they'll adjust! After a bit of time spike production started taking off, and today I'm here:

[shushu45]

Originally Posted by Bud

Yep! Those are spikes. They will bloom and after they open you can photograph them and cross pollinate each flower to get a pod....after three months you dry them for a couple of days under the sun then you may get a flavorful vanillin to flavor your milk or ice cream....

I thought only Vanilla planifolia was able to make vanilla flavoring??

[Bud]

Originally Posted by shushu45

I thought only Vanilla planifolia was able to make vanilla flavoring??

Vanilla is totally a different orchid plant. But Leptotes have a certain kind of 'vanillin' flavor in the pods that they use to flavor milk, chocolates and deserts.

[shushu45]

Originally Posted by Bud

Vanilla is totally a different orchid plant. But Leptotes have a certain kind of 'vanillin' flavor in the pods that they use to flavor milk, chocolates and deserts.

Hmm...very interesting.

[Subrosa]

Planifolia isn't the only Vanilla that makes vanilla beans, and I believe other species are even used commercially. I read that besides vanillin there are over 200 compounds in a vanilla bean that can affect the taste depending upon the % of each. It can vary by how the bean is grown or cured, so it surely varies from species to species. I'm eager to try the pods of Leptotes to see what differences I can detect!