VANILLA ORCHID
Vanilla orchids are where real vanilla comes from. That's right, its an orchid! Not recommended for beginners due to its care requirements but with the right environment, this is a spectacular plant to grow at home! Lightly scented with vanilla, even when not in bloom. Needs support from a moss pole for optimal growth. This orchid is grown in soil instead of bark mix. This orchid is both epiphytic and semi-terrestrial.
*Please note, if you are growing this plant to harvest vanilla bean, you may want to do some research as the harvesting process requires some patience and time (hence why vanilla bean is so expensive in the grocery). It may take a few years for plant/seeds to reach maturity. To make vanilla, seed pods need to be at least 6" long.
Botanical Name: Vanilla Planifolia
Common Name: Vanilla Orchid
Orchidaceae Family
Native to Mexico
Arrives in a 4" nursery pot if purchased on it's own. Visit our Pots Page to view and purchase pot options.
*NON-TOXIC
LIGHT/TEMP
Needs bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun. Prefers a warm, humid environment. During the day the plant should be around 80º-95º and no lower than 60º at night.
WATER/HUMIDITY
Vanilla orchids require a fair amount of water and humidity. On average, you'll want to give this plant around 80% humidity. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering to avoid root rot. When watering, make sure to water the moss pole as well as the soil. Aerial roots will attach to the moss pole and receive water from this source as well. Try not to allow the moss to complelety dry out. A fan should be used to help circulate the air.
TIPS
- Fertilize once a month during spring and summer, reduce fertilizing during winter dormancy.
- Use a fan in the room/cabinet for air circulation.
- Needs high humidity around 80%.
- Needs high temperatures. 80º-95º during the day.
- Water moss pole in addition to the soil.
TOXICITY
This plant is not considered toxic.
REPOTTING/POTTING UP
When plants change environments they will need a period of time to acclimate to their new home. We recommend waiting at least a couple of weeks to repot your new plant. Plants can grow just fine in their plastic nursery pot and in most cases, will not be root bound. To avoid shocking your plant, give it time to adjust to your home as these conditions might vary greatly from where it was previously being grown.
Below are some general tips on when to repot:
- Root to soil ratio is around 75% roots to 25% soil
- If your plant is in a pot without drainage (we never sell plants this way)
- The soil that the plant was grown in is not ideal for that particular plant
- If you notice pests or grubs in the soil (typically from plants that have been outside)
- If your plant is suffering from root rot
When repotting, consider the following:
- Not all indoor plants want the same soil. Do some research on what type of plant you have and its soil needs.
- If you are going to pot up (increase the size of your pot), only increase by one size at a time. An example would be if your plant is currently in a 4" pot and the roots are at 75% and time to pot up, get a pot that is no more than 6". If you can find a 5" pot, this would be ideal.
- ALWAYS use pots with drainage. Please. Yes, plants can technically grow in pots without drainage but we do not recommend this approach. Plants don't like their roots sitting in water and if you've accidentally over-watered then your plant is at risk of getting root rot. When you have plants in pots without drainage, you also aren't allowing your plant to be watered thoroughly.
- When deciding on a pot, either keep the plant in its nursery/grow pot and put that inside a cachepot or find a pot with drainage.
- Most plants will be happy in their pots for about two years, sometimes more. As long as the roots aren't past the 75% ratio, they are good. If you are worried about nutrients or soil has washed away from the top, you can top dress (add fresh nutrient-rich soil, compost or worm castings to the top, not to exceed the original height of the soil) or add fertilizer to regular waterings from spring to summer (please see fertilizer instructions for frequency as these can vary).