Dear Orchid Friends: Did you know the Vanilla flavoring used in your kitchen is actually an orchid? Vanilla is a less common orchid. There are approximately 20 species in this genus. This is an unusual genus because these orchids are vines. Their fruit, the vanilla beans, are the seed capsules of several of the vanilla species from which the vanilla flavoring is obtained (vanilla planifolia, vanilla tahitensis). The Mexican Vanilla planifollia is the most common type.

Vanilla is terrestrial and epiphytic. Terrestrial means growing on the ground with soil. Epiphytic means it grows on another plant, i.e., a tree trunk, to reach light...an air plant. Epiphytes have aerial roots which dangle and reach for nutrients. Vanilla likes a humus-laden medium.

Vanilla likes high, strong light. Grow them with cattleyas. They like a rich, humus compost. You can use a mixture of peat moss and fine bark. Vanilla needs good drainage and lots of water. Let the water run through the pot. They like high humidity and warm temperatures.

The main difficulty in growing vanilla is it requires a lot of room. It grows as a vine and grows many feet in length. Provide a pole or support for the plant to climb and allow the aerial roots to attach. It takes many years for vanilla to bear fruit. The vine usually has to be 15 feet or longer before it bears fruit.

Vanilla have clusters of small, yellowish flowers. Hand pollination is necessary when the plant flowers in order to get fruit. I personally do not have any vanilla orchids. I find it much easier to buy vanilla flavoring at the grocery store!

Until next time,
Vivi

P.S. Spring is the time for new growth. Remember to give ample water and fertilizer during this time. Also, think about repotting your orchids now. Check your plants for insects and treat if needed.

Again, I'd like to welcome the American Orchid Society to the Web.

Review my February 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article Cultivating an Interest in Orchids.
Review my January 1996 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article on Phaelonopsis Culture.
Review my December 1995 "Vivi's Orchid Corner" article on Dendrobium Culture.

Vivi's Orchid Page

Vivi's Orchid Corner is an excellent way to learn more about orchids each month.

Enjoy colorful orchids with Vivi's Orchid Photos.

See my Orchid Menu page for tasty orchid gift baskets and orchid treats.

When you're ready to order orchids

Bemvindo Brasileiros!

Before you go, please sign Vivi's Orchids Guestbook.

Last updated March 3, 1996

Copyright © 1995, 1996 Vivian M. Dodge. All rights reserved.

Please send email with any comments or questions you may have. Thanks

All my pages created by Dodge Group Communications, Inc.