Growing vanilla... help!! - Orchid Board

Vanilla · #1 03-13-2008, 12:06 AM

Hello, I'm brand new here!

A bit about me...
I've killed a few orchids,

, and had some great success.

My new adventure is trying to grow a vanilla orchid!!

It is a Vanilla planifolia and it is about 6 inches long.

I've read through all the vanilla threads that I could find here and got tons of great info... thanks!

I'm growing it in a sun room off of my house. As suggested in the other threads, I planted it in african violet potting mix.
It is in a terra cotta pot that is about 12" across. Would bigger be better?
The sun can be very intense in the sun room, should I shade it?
How about humidity. Should I mist it? Should I mist it with orchid food in the water?

Any other advice? I really want this to work! Some of your pictures are soooo amazing and inspiring!!

I live in northern California, if that makes any difference.

Thanks for your help! keeping my

!!

Mahon · #2 03-13-2008, 08:56 AM

Vanilla,

Personally, I think the hardest part in growing Vanilla is finding enough space for it to climb. The pot and mix that the cutting gets placed in is not of the essence, but rather where the vine will establish and what conditions it will be establishing in (because it's hard to move them around!). The bottom portion of the cutting will eventually die off, and only so many roots can grow from the nodules of the cutting. When the cuttings are young, they do prefer to be in a terrestrial mix, which even potting soil would suffice.

Vanilla planifolia is by far the easiest species to grow, but not always the most rewarding. Here's a couple of pics of mine, which I've shown a bazillion times

The higher light levels and warm temperatures needed for blooming and ideal growth should be observed when growing this species. Watering is not as big of a deal, just don't let the small cutting dry out all the time.

Vanilla planifolia

Rambling on!

-PM

Vanilla · #3 03-13-2008, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the info!! Your vine is huge!!!

Could you suggest a variety that would be more rewarding to grow? My ultimate goal is to cure my own vanilla beans, if that makes any difference.

What do you mean that the bottom dies off???!!?!?

I would be terrified if I saw that happening!!

Does it just survive on the air roots then? Does humidity become more important?

Thanks for your help and your photos are BEAUTIFUL!!

Mahon · #4 03-13-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla

Thanks for the info!! Your vine is huge!!!

Could you suggest a variety that would be more rewarding to grow? My ultimate goal is to cure my own vanilla beans, if that makes any difference.

What do you mean that the bottom dies off???!!?!?

I would be terrified if I saw that happening!!

Does it just survive on the air roots then? Does humidity become more important?

Thanks for your help and your photos are BEAUTIFUL!!

Vanilla,

Thanks! Since it is growing outside in the Florida heat, it's a real good grower. The vine itself is not all that old either, just ideal conditions for the plant!

If you want to cure your own beans, than Vanilla planifolia is the vine to go, as it is better tasting than other Vanilla species. If you are more into oddity or attractive flowering Vanilla, then I would suggest something like Vanilla hartii, Vanilla beyrichii, Vanilla imperialis, or even the leafless Florida native Vanilla barbellata.

What I mean that the bottom portion of the Vanilla dies off is that after a long while, the entire vine does not live forever, and the bottom-most portion dies off first. Vanilla originally starts its life off on the ground, rambling to find the nearest tree to climb upon. It will climb up the tree, and possibly to the treetop, and the bottom portion (which is the oldest part) will wither away. Completely natural for many of the species in this genus.

Good luck growing!
-Pat

Vanilla · #5 03-13-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahon

What I mean that the bottom portion of the Vanilla dies off is that after a long while, the entire vine does not live forever, and the bottom-most portion dies off first. Vanilla originally starts its life off on the ground, rambling to find the nearest tree to climb upon. It will climb up the tree, and possibly to the treetop, and the bottom portion (which is the oldest part) will wither away. Completely natural for many of the species in this genus.

Ooooohhhhhh.... Thanks! That makes sense!

Faerygirl · #6 03-13-2008, 06:42 PM

Yes, that happened to my variegated one which was in the ground. It started to wither at the bottom, so I made a fresh cut above the part that was dying and stuck the aerial roots into a pot of fresh potting soil that I hung up on the greenhouse wall, and it took off again. Even branched.

I just bought one of the leafless ones, Vanilla aphylla. Its pretty cool.

Vanilla · #7 03-13-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faerygirl

I just bought one of the leafless ones, Vanilla aphylla. Its pretty cool.

Wow, I just looked up a photo, amazing!!

Would it get vanilla beans?

dave b · #8 08-28-2008, 09:06 PM

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 · #9 08-28-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

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 · #10 08-31-2008, 01:18 PM

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!