Who doesn't love vanilla?
The vanilla orchid is one of the most beautiful and commercialized plants in the orchid family. Renowned for its ability to produce the vanilla extract used in baking and food processing, the vanilla orchid has become a favorite around the world after its initial discovery by the Aztec Indians around the 15th or 16th century. A true epiphyte, or air plant, the vanilla orchid loves the high humidity of the South American rain forest, where it grows rampantly as a vine. Thanks to advancements in horticulture, everyday gardeners and orchid enthusiasts can enjoy growing their own vanilla orchid in their home. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Provide your vanilla orchid with plenty of humidity and heat. Temperatures should be between 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night.
2. Prepare a proper soil medium for your vanilla orchid. Remember, the vanilla orchid is an air plant so it does not require, nor does it like, to be planted in a dense soil medium. The plant has a vine-like growth habit and, once established, will grow aerial roots to support itself. Purchase an orchid potting medium or, if you are preparing your own, backyardgardener.com suggests mixing three parts dust-free, medium-grade bark; one part coarse grit or perlite; one part charcoal; and one part peat moss.
3. Fill your orchid pot with your orchid potting medium. You can make your own orchid pot by taking a thin-walled plastic pot and cutting vertical slits in the side. Then, hold the orchid in your hand so that the crown is just below the rim of the pot and fill in your orchid potting medium. Lightly tamp the medium in place around the vanilla orchid.
4. Place an appropriately sized wooden stake or trellis for the orchid to act as a stake. This is especially important for orchid plants with long flower stalks. Additionally, staking is best to do when the plant is growing, before the buds open.
5. Water the orchid two to three times a week. However, keep in mind that the vanilla orchid's roots need proper air circulation or they can develop root rot. With time, you will be able to tell whether your orchid is waterlogged or in need of a drink.
6. Provide a full-sun to part-shade environment. Provide the plant with six to eight hours of direct sunlight and it will reward you with great growth.
7. Feed your vanilla orchid with 1/2 tsp. of urea-free 20-10-20 fertilizer every two weeks.
8. Prune the tip of the vine when the plant is almost 3 years old if you want it to flower. Vanilla orchids will not flower until the third year of their life, and pruning the tip slightly before that milestone ensures that it will produce flowers.
Tags: vanilla orchid, your orchid, vanilla orchid, your vanilla orchid, orchid potting