2.5 years, 25 feet later....my Vanilla finally bloomed!!

[Rosiefuture]

Hi, I always wanted a vanilla orchid but quarantine laws in Western Australia are so strict that I couldn't get one. Then I found a nursery on line that had one but the guy said they can't be allowed to drop below 16C and it would be at least 6 metres long before it would flower, so I didn't get it.

Those of you who have a vanilla, do you always keep yours above 16C (about 62F)? I wish I had gotten it now but it was $60.00

Marion

[cb977]

Mine is in the furthest corner of the orchid room...in winter when the heater is set up in the middle of the room for 50 degrees F this plant surely goes colder than that.

When I got mine, I read (and was told) that it would have to get to 15 ft and take a turn before it blooms...wrong! It bloomed at about 8 ft (a guess) but it did make a downward swing on the totem pole before it did.

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by Rosiefuture

Hi, I always wanted a vanilla orchid but quarantine laws in Western Australia are so strict that I couldn't get one. Then I found a nursery on line that had one but the guy said they can't be allowed to drop below 16C and it would be at least 6 metres long before it would flower, so I didn't get it.

Those of you who have a vanilla, do you always keep yours above 16C (about 62F)? I wish I had gotten it now but it was $60.00

Marion

I live near Sue, so mine gets pretty close to the same. I know it's seen temps in the 40'sF. What they didn't tell you is that it will grow 8 feet in one year....so you wouldn't be waiting that long for a bloom.

[gixrj18]

Oh, and it looks like the first pollination may have taken...and I just pollinated the second flower.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by gixrj18

Oh, and it looks like the first pollination may have taken...and I just pollinated the second flower.

[saugstern]

Originally Posted by gixrj18

I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. Going by the pictures in the Internet Encyclopedia, phaeantha has a much more elongated, tube-like lip....which mine does not have. Also, mine looks exactly like the one in their planifolia pictures. Color is controlled by sunlight...the more sun, the more color. So this could easily have variation.
IOSPE PHOTOS
IOSPE PHOTOS

Hi Jasen
I can distinguish the two vanillas.
Im very sure that Vanilla you have is Vanilla phaeantha.
because i'm an expert in vanilla orchids and i know that planifolia have same beautiful flowers, but only Phaeantha have such blooms like yours . And the leaves looks different as planifolia. Phaeantha have Oblong leaves and planifolia have oval leaves.
but for me is the phaeantha more interesting as planifolia because the flowers are more nicer.happy growing with your wonderful Vanilla !!!
Safet

[gixrj18]

Actually, Prem's comments really got me looking...and I do agree that it is not planifolia. I was noticing that the flower looks exactly like bahiana, but I'm not sure what bahiana's leaves look like. IOSPE PHOTOS The lip on mine just doesn't look as tubular as phaeantha, although i do agree, the plant does. Do you think bahiana is a possibility? I know whatever it is, it doesn't bloom in Phal light. It didn't bloom until I put it down with the Vandas. I appreciate the input...maybe I can figure the identity of these eventually. I have about 4 species of Vanilla that I bought in a lot of orchids, some were labeled, mis-labeled, or not at all. I have a more petite species, with smaller stalks and leaves, and then I've got a leafless species (well, virtually leafless) with big stalks, and I have a variegated species, too. So as they bloom, I'll probably need some more help.

[gixrj18]

I just realized that you guys aren't seeing what I'm seeing. Here's a profile picture that may help...and if you notice the green pod hanging to the left, I think I finally got a pollination to take. The ants probably helped a little, too.

[saugstern]

Originally Posted by gixrj18

Actually, Prem's comments really got me looking...and I do agree that it is not planifolia. I was noticing that the flower looks exactly like bahiana, but I'm not sure what bahiana's leaves look like. IOSPE PHOTOS The lip on mine just doesn't look as tubular as phaeantha, although i do agree, the plant does. Do you think bahiana is a possibility? I know whatever it is, it doesn't bloom in Phal light. It didn't bloom until I put it down with the Vandas. I appreciate the input...maybe I can figure the identity of these eventually. I have about 4 species of Vanilla that I bought in a lot of orchids, some were labeled, mis-labeled, or not at all. I have a more petite species, with smaller stalks and leaves, and then I've got a leafless species (well, virtually leafless) with big stalks, and I have a variegated species, too. So as they bloom, I'll probably need some more help.

Hi Jasen !
The Vanilla Bahiana sees very similar to vanilla phaeantha . Since they are right. But I've noticed that the V.bahiana-blooms has wider sepals as the V.phaeantha-blooms. I always see at Bahiana broader sepals. at phaeantha never
the lips are at both vanillas times thin times thick. yours flowers have thinner sepals similar the V.phaeantha. therefore i think it must be V.phaeantha.the main thing is you know now that it is a another vanilla
And you have a really nice Vanilla orchid also the Flower are very beautiful ;-)
allthebest
Safet



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[gixrj18]

Yes, i noticed that too. It's definitely possible, the lip just seemed a little more tubular on the phaeantha. The phaeantha's lip also seemed to be overlapping on top so much that it looks like a sealed hood. My flower's column was easily pushed up between the upper lobes, pushing them apart. This was another factor I was noticing. It almost seems to display features from both species, which could easily be chalked up to variation....since they all aparently came from planifolia in the first place (or so I've been told).