Vanilla bloom?

[gixrj18]

This is one, of two, of my Vanilla dillonianas that have this new growth. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing any of my Vanillas bloom yet, so I'm not sure what it looks like. At first, I thought it was just new growth....but every new growth I've seen on other Vanillas had unfolded a new leaf (or at least show signs of a leaf) by the time they were this size. So, does anyone know if this is a bloom? I also notice that both are growing from the base of the leaf (like a bloom).

[whygreenberg]

I have no Vanilla experience myself, but shape-wise that certainly looks bud/spike-like to me! How exciting!!

[Mahon]

Jasen,

Ah, unfortunately, this isn't blooming season for this species. They should have already bloomed during early summer, and as of now started new growth.

So, the growth upon the leaf bract is a new growth (branch). Your plant looks large, possibly next year then?

-Pat

[gixrj18]

Thanks Pat, I couldn't find much info on this one.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by gixrj18

This is one, of two, of my Vanilla dillonianas that have this new growth. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing any of my Vanillas bloom yet, so I'm not sure what it looks like. At first, I thought it was just new growth....but every new growth I've seen on other Vanillas had unfolded a new leaf (or at least show signs of a leaf) by the time they were this size. So, does anyone know if this is a bloom? I also notice that both are growing from the base of the leaf (like a bloom).Attachment 17509Attachment 17510

Hi Jasen,

I ran across this post and thought I'd ask if that growth was in fact a bloom? I have a huge healthy vanilla with stems as thick as my little finger. It gets plently of sun exposure, but it's July and it still hasn't bloomed. I know Vanilla typically blooms late Spring/Early Summer. Did your plant bloom and if so when? Thanks.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Junebug

Hi Jasen,

I ran across this post and thought I'd ask if that growth was in fact a bloom? I have a huge healthy vanilla with stems as thick as my little finger. It gets plently of sun exposure, but it's July and it still hasn't bloomed. I know Vanilla typically blooms late Spring/Early Summer. Did your plant bloom and if so when? Thanks.

No...that was a new growth. I had another Vanilla that bloomed. It was about 25' long, and eventually I moved it into higher light. As soon as I put in in the bright end of the greenhouse, it bloomed like crazy. However, this was also a bad thing. The coupling of using energy to bloom, using energy to fill the few seed pods that I had started, and being freshly moved to the hotter end of the greenhouse ended up being the recipe for destruction. The vine started shrivling away....in a matter of two weeks, 25' of healthy Vanilla was reduced to one foot of shriveled, ugly stem. It took until this point to stop the problem. I moved it back where it began it's life here, ironically the same size....only three years later. It bloomed and reproduced itself almost completely to death. It's hangin in there, still barely alive. So the moral of the story is.....in my opinion, I would double the food and water if it blooms, which may take more light. Good luck.