propagating vanilla from single node cuttings
 

I have several pieces of vanilla orchid vine (Vanilla planifolia) that friends gave me. I would like to start a whole lot of plants. I'm in Hawai'i and vanilla orchids grow really well outside in my part of the island.

Can I cut these into single node pieces (with or without leaves and/or aerial roots), to get as many new plants as possible from these? Or do I need two or maybe more nodes?

I did cut some into 11 single node pieces and have laid them on top of a mixture of potting soil, coconut coir and perlite.

Before I cut the rest of the pile into small pieces, does anyone have any experience with this?:scratchhead:

I have limited experience with vanilla , but when I grew some at work from cuttings for a client project, these were provided as 2 node cuttings. When you stick the cuttings in the soil, the node in the soil will produce roots, while the node above soil level is where the new growth will start. I'm not sure if you can coax a single node into producing both roots and shoots. To have an increased chance of seeing the cuttings successfully root and grow, I would make cuttings which have at least 2 nodes.

Mahalo Camille. I'll try some of what I have with two nodes and I'll report my results here in a few months.

Your orchid photos are incredibly gorgeous!!! Wow! Nice orchids, outstanding photography!

i stick with two for the above reason...you can likely get the single nodes to grow a shoot which will then make airroots but that will be less vigorous without it's "legs"