Vanilla Bean Plant

Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world, second only to saffron, but few people realize that it is the fruit of a tropical orchid. If you have mastered the art of growing orchids, then you can also grow the Vanilla Bean Orchid, indoors, or outdoors in southern Florida. This is not an ordinary orchid, it is one that grows as a long vine, climbing up a palm tree or, indoors, on a trellis. The leaves vary in size, but can be up to 14 inches long and 3 inches wide, and make an attractive plant even when not in flower. It will take several years for your plant to become established, but once it does you can expect clusters of flowers at the points where the leaves meet the stem. They appear between February and April, mostly, and are white, 4 inches across, and very beautiful. A plant will have many flowers. The flowers are self-pollinating, but you will need to do it by hand – a single flower can be successfully self-pollinated. After about 6 months the long green pod will begin to turn brown at the tip and that is the signal to collect them and begin the curing process. The end result will be your very own vanilla pods to flavor everything from ice-cream and sugar to vodka.

• A long, climbing tropical vine for indoors or southern Florida
• Grow up a palm tree or on a trellis
• Flowers are large and white, appearing along the stems in spring
• Flowers must be hand-pollinated to develop into vanilla beans
• Yes, you can grow your own vanilla beans, with a little care and patience

Grow the Vanilla Bean Orchid in orchid soil and train it onto a trellis or up a suitable tree. It can also be grown as an epiphyte, directly on a tree. It enjoys full sun, or perhaps just a little shade, so place it in a south-facing window. Grow in a warm to hot, humid environment. Pollinate the flowers by pressing together the anther and the stigma of the flowers – you can find videos online of how to do this. Cure the mature pods in the sun in the day and a humid plastic bag at night, for six weeks, and age in a jar for 3 months. Then enjoy the reward of the efforts of you and your vine – congratulations.