Growing vanilla... help!!

[dave b]

My plant started as a cutting about 18 inches long. It had a few old roots that i stuck in the pot with terrestrial mix. The cutting did nothing for a couple months. Then, a new growth formed a couple inches above the mix line. This new growth took off and eventually formed a 7-8 foot vine. 6 months seems like a while. Id like to see whats going on in the pot. Typically, new roots will form and grow well in the mix. Provided it does not sit wet all the time. Id check it out and see if your getting root growth, or if everything has become mush.

Personally i would not put a 6 inch cutting in a 12 inch pot. You could go way smaller (3-4 inch) until it gets going. A pot that big could sit wet for too long depending on your conditions.

The aerial roots will only do well, if in a humid enough environment. I misted mine regularly and they did fair. Growing outside in Ohio during the summer, South facing in the winter. Semi shade at mid day summer, with bright light and some full sun.

I got rid of mine last month at our societies auction. I dont have room for 8 foot plants inside once winter hits.

You are aware that it requires a 12+ foot (ive even read 15+ foot) plant which equates to a couple years to reach blooming stage.

[Vanilla]

Originally Posted by dave b

You are aware that it requires a 12+ foot (ive even read 15+ foot) plant which equates to a couple years to reach blooming stage.

Thanks for all the info!

I do know that it gets that big, I was prepared for that.

I think that I might put it in a smaller pot.

I honestly have no idea why I put it in such a big pot, maybe I really thought it was going to take off.

[JennS]

I started mine in a 6" terra cotta pot with the african violet mix. I got it back in May as a 6" or so cutting. My mix stays pretty wet because it is grown outdoors, but I have checked it several times and it is not rotting. It has not grown much, but sprouted a new root near the base of the plant (the cut part) which has since buried itself into the soil. I think I will check it tonight to make sure it isn't rotting with all the rain lately.

I would recommend misting it every morning, and moving it to a smaller pot. The mix might be staying to wet with all the extra room. I think once it takes off you can move it to a giant pot but I would wait until you get some real growth. Good luck!

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[linda]

Hi, Know i'm concerned on my vanilla. I got 6 cutting from a miture vanilla orchid about 3 or so months ago and mine isn't doing anything either. The cuttings are about 6 inchs if not long and about a half if not less around. I have them potting in reg soil, 3 in a 12 inch pot and 3 in a 6 inch pot, the leaves are huge still look good. but not any new growth I put rooting harmon on the ends before potting . I also just got another one this past weekend and it's dark green the stems are about 1/4 inch and 16' or so long potted in soil. they look like two different kinds the newest one I just got, the leaves are like a quarter size of the other one and the leaves are different colors. Ones dark (the newest) and one is like a yellowish green (the cutting one). I keep them on my lania I live in Florida. Any sugestion for me???? Thank You.

[Vanilla]

My vanilla FINALLY has several new leaves but it has taken 9 months and they are still growing like molasses in January

It has taken a LOT of misting (2x daily) especially recently because the air has been so dry here in northern California. I'm also keeping my vanilla (and several other tropical plants) on a heating pad to help the soil dry out between waterings. I also shower with it weekly on a nice warm misty setting Every time I mist it I remind it that the days are getting longer and warmer... hang in there (it has been a hard winter so far for my plants that would rather be in the tropics!)

Oh man, I sound like a crazy person!!

Anyway, I don't know if any of what I do is helping but I did have months of NO growth so I know how you feel.

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[slpjennifer]

was so glad a fellow south floridian with such an impressive vanilla vine would say the bottom dies off. What a relief that I will know what is happening when this happens to me. I would have been heart broken thinking I was killing it.

[vmijct]

Hi,
I'm new here but have been growing vanilla in a green house for a while(2-3yrs). You want a loose compost type medium in the pot. vanillas hate to stay wet in a pot and will rot in no time. I water mine with rain water 3X a week and fertilze one of those times with 20-20-20(like the comercial growers). I have very long vines but no flowers yet as we just moved and I have a new greenhouse. The plants have been moved twice and yes, they hate to be moved! Try not to move them or uncurl them to string them out. It will set you back about 6 months of growth, or more.