This plant is the only representative of the Orchidaceae family, giving unique edible fruits. A branchy vine growing in length from 10 to 30 meters grows naturally in the tropics, braiding trees with its long and flexible branches.
The plant referred to in the article has a name - vanilla orchid. At home, it is grown and bred by many flower growers. The features of the content, reproduction will be discussed in this material.
Brief general information
Vanilla is a creeper orchid. The birthplace of the flower are the Antilles, Panama and Mexico. Currently, this plant is grown all over the world not only to obtain a popular spice from it, but also as a decorative plant, the flowers of which exude a rather delicate vanilla aroma. This plant, from the seeds of which produce the well-known spice - vanilla. The genus Vanilla includes more than 100 representatives, mostly called epiphytic or terrestrial.
For the production of extracts and spices that are used in the perfume industry, only some vanilla varieties that exist in nature are used. Widely used in cosmetology flat vanilla (Vanilla planifolia). It should be noted that at home you can grow only an ornamental plant that has flowers with a pleasant aroma, but for this you need to recreate conditions that are close to natural.
Description
Vanilla orchid has large flowers of greenish-white or yellow-green color, which are revealed only during the day for pollination by hummingbirds or bees. It should be noted that in some countries the pollination process is done manually.
Leathery elongated orchid leaves have a dark green tint. The peculiarity of vanilla is on the plant, along the entire shoot there are aerial roots, with which it is attached to the trees during growth.
Landing
In what land is vanilla orchid planted? The composition of the substrate should include pine bark. For this representative of Orchids, the composition of the soil is slightly different from the usual, intended for all plants of the epiphytic family. The following components are necessary for its preparation: sphagnum moss, wood bark and charcoal, perlite or fern roots, in a small amount of peat. In general, the substrate should be saturated, breathable and light.
Vanilla should be planted in a clay or plastic container (pot), and you can also use a basket for orchids. The latter is most often used, since the holes prevent stagnation in the soil of moisture and enable the roots to breathe better. It is important that the size of the container is slightly larger than the volume of the root system (the distance to the walls of the container should be approximately 2-3 cm).
Growth conditions
Orchid vanilla (photo presented in the article) is a photophilous plant, but direct sunlight is contraindicated to it. Bright, but slightly diffused lighting is needed throughout the day. In the winter season, it is advisable for the plant to provide artificial lighting.
This variety of the family is very thermophilic. Throughout the year, the temperature should not change much (during the day - + 28-29 degrees, at night - not lower than + 20-23 degrees). Plants of a more mature age can tolerate a temperature drop of about 3-4 degrees.
Due to the tropical origin of the plant, air humidity should be constantly maintained (80-90%). To do this, you need to regularly spray the orchid or install a container with wet expanded clay on the pallet.
Care
Vanilla orchid is a climbing plant, therefore, to grow it you need a strong support. Suitable for this is a tube covered with coconut fiber, or a standard stand for climbing plants. You can also use a hanging planter.
Watering is carried out in case of complete drying of the upper soil layer, but it is impossible to allow drying of the entire volume of the substrate. It is best to use warm, purified calcium-free water. In addition to watering for the orchid, a warm shower is important (about once a week). You can water and dive. Significantly reduce it should be in a period of reduced growth activity and in the dormant period of the plant, but in no case should the substrate be allowed to dry out.
Perfectly perceives vanilla fertilizer. Throughout the year (2-3 times) they are useful for flower dressing with special fertilizers intended for orchids. It should only be remembered that the concentration of the mixture should be reduced by 2-3 times in comparison with the dosage indicated on the package. Top dressing can be carried out by spraying.
Transfer
Usually, the vanilla orchid is transplanted in order to replace the soil or in cases where the roots are no longer placed in the pot (once in 2-3 years). The best time is spring.
The plant must be carefully removed from the old container without damaging the root system. To avoid the formation of rot on some broken roots, it is necessary to sprinkle them with grated charcoal. It should also be noted that the new capacity should be larger than the previous one, although not by much.
The first time a transplanted plant in watering should be slightly limited, the dose of sunlight should be increased gradually.
Plant propagation methods
Are vanilla orchid seeds suitable for planting? It is important to note that the fruits in vanilla pods purchased in stores are completely unviable. They were subjected to heat treatment, and therefore suitable only for use in cooking. Germinating seeds can be found on sale, but to obtain viable seedlings, you need a florarium (plant terrarium).
A simpler and quite acceptable way to propagate a vanilla orchid is cuttings. To do this, you need to select the part of the shoot where there are at least three nodules with aerial roots.
The stem must be treated with a growth stimulator (for example, heteroauxin). Next, the shoot must be placed in a container with moistened soil (preferably with sand), covered with polyethylene, creating greenhouse conditions. Periodically, you need to ventilate the sprouts, opening the greenhouse. When the seedling begins to grow noticeably, the film should be completely removed. After the first 3 leaves appear, the plant needs to be transplanted into the prepared substrate. The container must be plastic and transparent, always with drainage holes. As noted above, the vanilla orchid is a vine that needs support. It is necessary to provide it with a small sprout.
Plant pruning
This procedure is extremely necessary for orchids. It should be carried out regularly, since at home it is impossible to grow this plant in all its possible length. In addition, thanks to pruning, the orchid rejuvenates, and it has new side shoots, which gives it splendor and forms a compact shape.
For such a procedure, the instrument used must be sanitized. Activated charcoal or some other drug should sprinkle sections of shoots. The tops of cropped vines can be used for reproduction.
Orchid Diseases and Pests
Vanilla orchid is almost not damaged by pests, and diseases can occur either due to an excess of moisture, or, conversely, due to overdrying.
- With excess moisture, root or stem rot may develop. It is necessary to transplant the flower immediately, replacing the entire substrate in the container, and reduce watering.
- Inadequate watering can lead to dry leaves. In this case, it is necessary to moisten the soil more often and spray.
- Light spots may appear on the leaves (which means that direct sunlight falls on the plant). In this case, light shading should be provided at noon.
- With excessive feeding, the aerial roots of the orchid may turn black.
In conclusion, flowering and fruiting
In the third year of growth in vivo, inflorescences are formed on the vanilla orchid creeper, consisting of 7-10 waxy flowers of a greenish-yellow hue. As noted above, in the homeland, this orchid is pollinated by hummingbirds or Mexican bees (a special genus). In other countries where vanilla is cultivated (in the Seychelles and Madagascar, Indonesia, Zanzibar and Oceania), pollination is done manually. After this (after 7 months), oblong green boxes (pods) ripen on the plant.
In order for vanilla pods to acquire that very unique flavor, they undergo a certain heat treatment: they are kept in hot water, then in fabric, and then dried for two weeks in the sun and in the shade. A light coating forms on the finished product.