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

[gixrj18]

Well, it all started with the 12" division of Vanilla planifolia that I bought about 2 1/2 years ago. It grew and grew across my back porch, slowly creeping it's way into the greenhouse, peaking my excitement with every leaf node. Always hoping that next growth would be a spike. After reaching 25' long (2.5 years later), needless to say, I became suspicious of the light requirements....I figured it must not be getting enough light on the porch. Since it never really attached itself to anything, I decided to move it out with the Vandas! Within a weeks time, I noticed a new growth....and guess what it was! Yep....a spike! So here is the first flower, which lasted one day. So n
ow I'm waiting for the other 7 buds to open. Short-lived, but beautiful nonetheless!

[flhiker]

Great Job! Mine has not flowered yet. Do you plan on Pollinating it to get Vanilla pods?

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by flhiker

Great Job! Mine has not flowered yet. Do you plan on Pollinating it to get Vanilla pods?

I might as well, since the flower is going to close at the end of the day, anyway. After I make sure I get a couple shots for calendar time, the rest will probably get pollinated. It's hard to see in the photo, but there is a cluster of 8-9 buds to the left of the flower....so I'll get plenty of chances.

[trdyl]

Well done!

[cb977]

Nice!!!

I've tried pollinating every bloom I've had on my Vanilla and haven't succeeded yet

[flhiker]

I wonder why Sue, here's a Youtube video on how to pollinate them.

YouTube - Vanilla Pollination

[gixrj18]

The second flower is opening right now. The first flower has dessicated, but the column is still green...so my pollination might have taken on flower #1. I pollinated it right when it first showed signs of drooping. Perhaps it's the timing, Susanne. It also appears to pollinate like most orchids do ...I don't see any differences.

[prem]

I'm curious...that flower does not look like a Vanilla planifolia flower to me...as I recall, V. planifolia flowers are more cream-colored on the tepals. To be honest, yours looks almost exactly like the Vanilla phaeantha that I've photographed in the Fakahatchee.

[cb977]

Dave, thanks for that video! I have stuff printed out with pictures but the video makes it look like a much more simple process

I think it's a positioning thing...my vanilla is in the corner of the orchid room and unless the blooms are right in front I can't really maneuver them (or me) too well

Next bloom WILL be pollinated!



Jasen, please let us know if you have any success
So exciting!!!

[gixrj18]

Originally Posted by prem

I'm curious...that flower does not look like a Vanilla planifolia flower to me...as I recall, V. planifolia flowers are more cream-colored on the tepals. To be honest, yours looks almost exactly like the Vanilla phaeantha that I've photographed in the Fakahatchee.

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