Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Vanilla!



Would you believe, one of the lovely ladies in my Master Gardening class brought me this cutting, just to be nice?? I am so excited!!

Vanilla beans are actually orchids (I know, I had no idea either!). The original owner said she just lets it go, never fertilizes it and doesn't pot it. It grows up and down a trellis behind her bench. Now, I have never grown anything from a cutting before, and I haven't had much luck with orchids so far. Any advice out there? For now I have hung it in our oak tree which will provide lots of shade and ample space to wind around. I misted it with orchid fertilizer/water mix, because I thought it might need a boost from moving.

Most sites I have browsed say to treat the cutting like any other (again, I haven't had any other so whooptie- doo I'm still confused). Basically to cut the end off of the stem and soak it in water with fertilizer and/or rooting hormone for a while (10 days maybe) then planted in african violet soil. Has anyone else ever grown vanilla?
Posted by Kara at 9:00 AM
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5 comments:

  1. Kara, I am an absolute dummy when it comes to orchids. I think you described the process - cut, soak, plant. Geraniums are easier, they have roots! Thanks for enlightening me withregard to vanilla beans being an orchid!
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  2. You must follow-up with how well the Vanilla does! I'm very curious. Did they give you any idea as to how to dry it for use? Can you use it in its undried form?
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  3. Matt- I know the beans have to be processed in some way, but I don't know how to complete the processing yet. However, the plant won't produce beans for quite a while, so I have time to look it up! :)

    Tatyana- I haven't had any experience with geraniums either! Maybe I should get some of those...
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  4. Hi Kara, it's the lllady from Mg. you already have roots and orchids get their water and food from their roots. I would just watch it for awhile in mulch in a clay pot. When the roots grow more, you can train them on a trellice. They love FL weather. See you next Tues. Bring me a start of your favorite plant. Cindy
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  5. Thanks Cindy!! I'm going to train it up our oak tree in the front yard!!

    I have no idea what my favorite plant is, but if you tell me one of the ones you see I will bring it to you!
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