The warm and relaxing aroma of vanilla brings a sense of calm and tranquility. Now the evergreen liana can be grown at home - you just need to create the conditions in which the tropical plant grows. Vanilla is the only orchid species that can produce edible fruits. A branchy liana growing in partial shade intertwines tropical forest trees in the wild. Vanilla flowers are greenish-white, large. They open only for a day and are immediately pollinated by bees.
The traditional method of making vanilla
Fresh beans do not taste or smell at all. To obtain an extraordinary aroma, they must undergo a long processing process. It is for this reason and because of the need to artificially transfer pollen that vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world.
The traditional cultivation technique for beans is to first leave them on dark materials in the sun to dry and cure. Manufacturers prefer to use production ovens instead, after which the beans are placed in sealed boxes. Drying in the sun gives the seeds a dark brown color. In the future, they are again wrapped in waxed paper for a month and a half, where they are gradually dried in natural conditions. However, this is not all. Over the next 90 days, the seeds are stored in a closed container, where they finally acquire a characteristic persistent aroma.
Growing a vanilla orchid at home: is it possible?
Of course, it is almost impossible to get fruits at home. But it is quite possible to grow a plant of the Orchid family. It is enough only to create conditions similar to those in which the vine grows in nature.
The first thing that is required for the successful growth of a climbing orchid is reliable support. As such, build a pipe with coconut fiber, a decorative planter vessel, or make a regular vines stand.
Vanilla, nevertheless, is a tropical plant, and therefore it is necessary to create conditions for it with high air humidity (80-90%), as well as temperature: in winter, the room should be at least + 20 ° C, while the optimal level fluctuates within from +25 to + 30 ° С. Select the brightest and warmest place for the creeper without direct sunlight (with diffused light). Protect the plant from possible drafts.
Reproduction
The orchid reproduces mainly by cuttings from 30 to 100 cm in height. At the same time, those cuttings that have aerial roots take root faster. Treatment with an enhancer of the development of the root system (heteroauxin) is of no small importance for the successful growth of orchids.
The soil
For vanilla creepers, breathable, loose soil rich in organic matter is suitable. Alternatively, you can prepare a mixture of pine bark and garden soil (taken in a 2: 1 ratio). To avoid stagnant water in the pot, do not forget to drain.
Watering
In hotter temperatures, the plant should be watered as often as possible. That is, in the summer, the moisture content of the substrate should be constantly maintained, while in the winter, watering should be slightly reduced. During dormancy, the plant forms new shoots or flowers.
Both lime-free mineral water and warm rainwater are suitable for irrigation. Vanilla orchid tolerates shower well, similar to tropical rain. Watering can also be carried out by immersing the container in water, which is practiced when growing other types of vines.
Plant pruning is possible at any distance. In the areas of the cuttings, it branches out and becomes more fluffy. Usually, the removed tops of the orchid find their use for rooting or planting.
Flowers appear only in the 3rd year of life. Subject to humidity and other growing conditions, the vine will grow very quickly. It is rare to find pests on it. The plant is sick only in the case of inappropriate content: oversaturation with moisture, direct sunlight. So, excessive watering leads to stem and root rot. In this case, plant the vanilla in a different substrate and monitor the humidity. If the leaves of the orchid become dry and yellow, this indicates a lack of moisture - water and spray the plant as often as possible.
Transfer
The vanilla orchid should be transplanted once every 2-3 years so that the overgrown root system does not slow down further growth. The transplant is carried out in the spring. Remove the orchid carefully without damaging the roots. If this cannot be avoided, treat the weakened roots with charcoal in order to prevent possible infection.
Video about planting a small phalaenopsis orchid:
Video about the basic principles of proper orchid care:
Photos of vanilla orchid:
