Vanilla Planifolia
 

I just bought this at our recent show...always wanted one so I'm sooooooo excited!! Any tips on how to grow this thing? I know it's a vine and needs to be damp so far.

Damp yes, but try to keep temps above 60 or you'll be seeing moldy leaves.

Sooooo what's that in C?

60F is about 15C

Also, you will need a system for the vine to grab a hold of. ;)

-Pat

They like it warm, reasonably bright, and apparently will need to climb as high as possible and then begin the downward growth in order to bloom.

I have mine in a large nursery pot of African Violet soil and it's climbing up a tree fern totem that we've attached to a tall wooden pole. It gets dappled sunlight and the aerial roots get heavily misted once or twice a day. I've also heard that it needs to grow to 15 ft and that it needs to start growing downwards in order for any blooms to occur.

Got mine at 18 inches less than a year ago and it's now over 6 ft tall...still has a way to go :hmm

I agree, they will need some bright light :) I will try and get pics of my specimen later today...

-Pat

Yeah it doesn't get very cool in that room so it should be fine. I know someone in our society that has one in their greenhouse and you cannot find the beginning or end of it! They have not yet bloomed it though.

I'm just planning the right spot for it....it's only about 2 feet long right now.

This is a picture I took at RF Orchids in Homestead, FL last year...

:shock: :shock: :shock:

I've been wondering what medium to use - thanks for African Violet mix - sounds like a good idea. I got a cutting in Hawaii in November 2006 - vine was about 8". Needs repotting as it is rapidly outgrowing the tiny pot it was in when I brought it home. We keep apprised of its growth!