|
Lovely
Vanilla planifolia or Vanilla Orchid plant
Closer view of the
glossy green fleshy foliage of
Vanilla planifolia or
Vanilla fragrans |
|
Vanilla planifolia
(French
Vanilla, Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean,
Vanilla Orchid,
Vanilla fragrans) |
Family: Orchidaceae (Orchid)
Origin: Native to Mexico
Light: Bright indirect light
Height: As tall as 40'
Spacing: 4-6"
Blooms: 2" across, chartrese, Spring
Foliage: Evergreen, thick, glossy, flat, smooth
Seedpod: 6-9" long, yellowish-green bean-like pods turn dark brown when
ripe
Soil: Well-drained, moist, (ph: 6.6-7.5, neutral)
Water: Abundant during growing season.
Propagation: Stem cuttings (place cuttings 1-2 weeks in a shady
area before planting)
Uses: Container, pole, up a tree
Comments:
Vanilla planifolia or
French Vanilla
or
Madagascar Bourbon
Vanilla Bean
or
Vanilla Orchid or
Vanilla fragrans
is a fast
growing tropical perennial climber that produces edible fruits.
A mature plant over 10 feet produces beautiful yellowish-green flowers
in Spring. In its conducive environment,
Vanilla planifolia can climb as high as 40 feet
by means of its aerial roots often up barks of trees. French
Vanilla is
humidity-loving. It is easily propagated from cuttings at the nodes
where the roots show and grown in a pot. Provide support for the
young plant to climb. Vanilla fragrans
thrives
best in well-drained soil that holds some moisture and placed in an area
with bright indirect light.
Vanilla planifolia
does not
tolerate frost; in colder areas it has to be brought indoors for the Winter. This
plant is sterile and has to be hand pollinated.
Vanilla planifolia is a beautiful plant to have and does not
demand much attention.
Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean produces bean-like
fruits which has to be harvested green before it fully ripens. The
cured beans
are fragrant and the spice Vanilla Essence is made from this
plant. It is an expensisve spice due to
its long process from plant to manufactured product. Vanilla spice is
commonly used in baking, perfumery and aromatherapy.
Interestingly, its
name Vanilla comes from the Spanish word for the spice Vanialla which
means 'little pod' while 'planifolia' is a Latin word for
'flat-leaved'.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 10-11 |
