VANILLA PLANIFOLIA
| For Pre-order: 1 Gal - $91.29 | ||
| Sunlight: Partial Sun/Shade | Growth Rate: Medium | Drought Tolerance: Mild |
| Full Size (WxH): 4m+ | Ideal Min Temp: 15'C (59'F) | Min Temp Tolerated: 10'C (50'F) |
| Fruit Colour: Purple-Black | Harvest: June-Aug | Year(s) to bear fruit: 2-3 |
| Prop. Method: Cutting | Fertility: Self | Chill Hours Required: None |
| Description: Vanilla plants make excellent container house plants when grown as a vine, because this type of orchid is both epiphytic and semi-terrestrial. This means it lives above the ground where its roots attach to tree trunks or other support from which it takes in water and nutrients. In growing a Vanilla vine in a pot, some support is needed for the vine to climb on and attach itself to. This can be a post or slab of wood, preferably a type that does not rot easily like cedar or cypress. Vanilla plants prefer good bright light but not hot, noonday sun. However, they won't grow well or flower in deep shade so partial sun is what they need. Vanilla grows best in warm temperatures, preferably 20-30'C. Cooler temperatures will slow down the growth. When watering, the support and the soil media are watered so the air roots as well as the potting mix have access to moisture. Generally, the potting mix is allowed to dry a little between waterings to help avoid root diseases. What initiates bloom is somewhat variable. It is thought that a dry period for a couple of months in the winter, as well as the vine reaching the top of the support and cascading off stimulates the flowering process. The blooms appear on flowering spikes that emerge at the leaf axis along the stems and many blooms will emerge from this spike over a period of weeks, usually one at a time and each flower lasts only one day. To produce vanilla beans, the flowers need to be hand pollinated, which can be done with a toothpick. | ||
VANILLA PLANIFOLIA-VARIEGATA
| For Pre-order: 1 Gal - $91.29 | ||
| Sunlight: Partial Sun/Shade | Growth Rate: Medium | Drought Tolerance: No |
| Full Size (WxH): 4m+ | Ideal Min Temp: 15'C (59'F) | Min Temp Tolerated: 10'C (50'F) |
| Fruit Colour: Purple-Black | Harvest: June-Aug | Year(s) to bear fruit: 2-3 |
| Prop. Method: Cutting | Fertility: Self | Chill Hours Required: None |
| Description: The leaves are green with yellow stripes running the length of the leaf. The growth and the habit of this vanilla is the same as the green vanilla. | ||
VANILLA POMPONA
| For Pre-order: 1 Gal - $102.23 | ||
| Sunlight: Partial Sun/Shade | Growth Rate: Medium | Drought Tolerance: Mild |
| Full Size (WxH): 4m+ | Ideal Min Temp: 15'C (59'F) | Min Temp Tolerated: 10'C (50'F) |
| Fruit Colour: Purple-Black | Harvest: June-Aug | Year(s) to bear fruit: 2-3 |
| Prop. Method: Cutting | Fertility: Self | Chill Hours Required: None |
| Description: Vanilla Pompona is a Rare species of vanilla orchid. It is native to Mexico, Central America and Columbia. Pompona pods have a thicker skin and contain fewer seeds compared to Vanilla Planifolia. Pompona is one of the three most economically relevant species of vanilla, but it is also one of the least commonly used in culinary and perfumery applications. It is an amazing plant with very large leaves and will grow up the sides of palm trees. This can also be grown in the home on a trellis. The greenish yellow flowers can emerge at any time once the plant gets tall enough. You can hand pollinate the flower the day it opens and it will develop a seed pod. It takes around three months for a seed pod to mature. Once it has, you can harvest it, dry it and place it in a bottle of vodka. Six moths later you will have vanilla extract. | ||
VANILLA TAHITENSIS (SUPER VANILLA ORCHID)
| For Pre-order: 1 Gal - $103.85 | ||
| Sunlight: Partial Sun/Shade | Growth Rate: Medium | Drought Tolerance: Mild |
| Full Size (WxH): 4m+ | Ideal Min Temp: 15'C (59'F) | Min Temp Tolerated: 10'C (50'F) |
| Fruit Colour: Purple-Black | Harvest: June-Aug | Year(s) to bear fruit: 2-3 |
| Prop. Method: Cutting | Fertility: Self | Chill Hours Required: None |
| Description: Planifolia x Odorata. Vanilla, the flavour we all know and love, comes in two main varieties: Vanilla Planifolia and Vanilla Tahitensis. While they may seem similar at first glance, these two types of vanilla have distinct differences that set them apart. Tahitian (Tahitensis) vanilla beans are generally shorter, plumper, and contain a much higher oil and water content than Bourbon [planifolia] beans. The aroma is flowery, fruity with a smooth flavour. Gourmet pastry chefs love to work with the Tahitian variety, which are perfect for many applications. Tahitian vanilla is a unique and exotic variety of vanilla that is native to French Polynesia. Unlike Vanilla Planifolia, Tahitian vanilla is known for its lighter, fruitier flavour with notes of cherry, anise, and even a hint of licorice. This variety of vanilla is often used in desserts and baked goods, but it is also versatile enough to be used in savoury dishes. When it comes to growing and harvesting, Vanilla Planifolia and Vanilla Tahitensis have different requirements. Vanilla Planifolia requires hand-pollination, which makes the process of growing it much more labour-intensive. On the other hand, Vanilla Tahitensis is self-pollinating and requires less manual labour, making it a more cost-effective option. Its beans grow best in warm and humid climates. | ||
VANILLA PLANIFOLIA ALBO MARGINATA
| Sunlight: Partial Sun/Shade | Growth Rate: Medium | Drought Tolerance: Mild |
| Full Size (WxH): 4m+ | Ideal Min Temp: 15'C (59'F) | Min Temp Tolerated: 10'C (50'F) |
| Fruit Colour: Purple-Black | Harvest: June-Aug | Year(s) to bear fruit: 2-3 |
| Prop. Method: Cutting | Fertility: Self | Chill Hours Required: None |
| Description: Vanilla plants make excellent container house plants when grown as a vine, because this type of orchid is both epiphytic and semi-terrestrial. This means it lives above the ground where its roots attach to tree trunks or other support from which it takes in water and nutrients. In growing a Vanilla vine in a pot, some support is needed for the vine to climb on and attach itself to. This can be a post or slab of wood, preferably a type that does not rot easily like cedar or cypress. Vanilla plants prefer good bright light but not hot, noonday sun. However, they won't grow well or flower in deep shade so partial sun is what they need. Vanilla grows best in warm temperatures, preferably 20-30'C. Cooler temperatures will slow down the growth. When watering, the support and the soil media are watered so the air roots as well as the potting mix have access to moisture. Generally, the potting mix is allowed to dry a little between waterings to help avoid root diseases. What initiates bloom is somewhat variable. It is thought that a dry period for a couple of months in the winter, as well as the vine reaching the top of the support and cascading off stimulates the flowering process. The blooms appear on flowering spikes that emerge at the leaf axis along the stems and many blooms will emerge from this spike over a period of weeks, usually one at a time and each flower lasts only one day. To produce vanilla beans, the flowers need to be hand pollinated, which can be done with a toothpick. | ||