Vanilla orchids are tropical climbing orchids that can reach such lengths that you would probably cut it back before it reached its full potential. Some say 80 feet while others claim hundreds of feet in length in its native habitat.
While typically considered a Mexican native, the USDA also shows it to be a Florida native. Other sites say it has also been found to grow in Texas and California, of course only in areas of high humidity and mild climates.
Shown here are my two vanilla plants, recently acquired from a nursery out of Lewisville, Texas, Steve's Leaves. As you can see I have placed some items that are releasing water into the air to keep them happy. The one on the left is a cut out water bottle bottom with paper towel bits layered to stand up a it and water poured in. The other is a cotton crochet cloth. The many holes and twists give it plenty of surface area to evaporate water from. So far we're on week 2 and they seem healthy enough. During the week I place them in a box lined with plastic overnight to give them a nice humidity bath. So far so good. They've already grown about three inches since they arrived. I plan to find a cheap misting bottle soon so I can mist them in the mornings and early evening. So far I haven't gotten them any plant food but I should look into that. As far as water, I've been using Ozarka natural spring water. I don't want all the chemicals from the tap water on the plants.
The future plans for these guys is to set up an area where they will get enough humidity and light that they can really thrive. Of course it would be great in time to be able to make my own chocolate from the cacao trees and vanilla plants, but that's still a ways off.
While typically considered a Mexican native, the USDA also shows it to be a Florida native. Other sites say it has also been found to grow in Texas and California, of course only in areas of high humidity and mild climates.
Shown here are my two vanilla plants, recently acquired from a nursery out of Lewisville, Texas, Steve's Leaves. As you can see I have placed some items that are releasing water into the air to keep them happy. The one on the left is a cut out water bottle bottom with paper towel bits layered to stand up a it and water poured in. The other is a cotton crochet cloth. The many holes and twists give it plenty of surface area to evaporate water from. So far we're on week 2 and they seem healthy enough. During the week I place them in a box lined with plastic overnight to give them a nice humidity bath. So far so good. They've already grown about three inches since they arrived. I plan to find a cheap misting bottle soon so I can mist them in the mornings and early evening. So far I haven't gotten them any plant food but I should look into that. As far as water, I've been using Ozarka natural spring water. I don't want all the chemicals from the tap water on the plants.
The future plans for these guys is to set up an area where they will get enough humidity and light that they can really thrive. Of course it would be great in time to be able to make my own chocolate from the cacao trees and vanilla plants, but that's still a ways off.
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