I was looking at my vanilla and it has this (below)
I don't think it is a bloom, but it does not look like the other roots/tendrils.
Any suggestions....
Tell me what you think of this...
That's definitely a Vanilla root.
GAgirl: It sure looks like a leaf tendril reaching out for something to attach to and climb! http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.orchidboard.com/community/attachments/beginner-discussion/47954d1281839607-repotting-vanilla-planifolia-100_2877.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.orchidboard.com/community/beginner-discussion/38407-repotting-vanilla-planifolia.html&usg=__7s8Jn7dXJ808un1LLlByS_fEhFs=&h=768&w=576&sz=48&hl=en&start=27&zoom=1&tbnid=gYq2xstzn2tiVM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bof%2Bvanilla%2Bplanifolia%2Broots%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1225%26bih%3D696%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C615&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=861&vpy=176&dur=3072&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=108&ty=142&ei=Wt4tTdOJKoSq8AbIkO2tCQ&oei=Ht4tTeb4M4a8lQfW28HACQ&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=31&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:27&biw=1225&bih=696
Dave: Wow, what a beautiful bloom!
I was given a small cutting years ago of a variegated Vanilla planifolia but I never could get it to root and it didn't survive long.
Yes, the roots act like tendrils and help the plant to climb. They sink the roots into tree bark and also gain some nutrition as they go.
To start cuttings, I rest the cutting on an organic growing medium in a pot with cuttings of tree branches sunk in the soil, so the roots can latch onto them. The pot stays in the shade in a moist area till the cutting starts to grow. Then I sit it at the base of a tree, for it to climb up.
Cuttings will also throw roots if laid in a shady moist area on the ground. The soil should be made of organic materials. When the cutting starts to grow roots it is tied to the shady side of a tree, with the new roots touching the bark. The cutting is sprayed with water regularly to keep it and the bark moist, till it takes off and can grow on it's own.
GaGirl, the one you sent me is doing the same thing ! YIPPIE !
Hi MJ,
I am glad it is growing. Mine is going wild, I cut it back the other day and took some cuttings. Mine has roots all along the vine, but that one looked funny, it was fuzzy.
Those tiny hairs on the root are little tubes through which the plant takes in water and nutrients.
As the vine climbs up the tree, the roots run down to the ground.
I haven't had any trouble with just tying pieces to tree trunks and they just take off. I originally put some on palm trees, despite being warned not to. In no time they took off into the canopy and disappeared. But now and again falling palm fronds knock lengths of orchid stem off and I find them on the ground. But I just tie them back onto a tree and off they go.
This piece I tied to an old dead tree trunk. The orchid seems to like its roots being able to tap a bit further into dead wood rather than just the surface of palm trunks.
What's the best medium for these? Right now it's still in a little pot, in "Jungle Growth" potting mix with extra perlite added.
oh gosh that bloom looks like an orchid!
Zig: That Vanilla is very cool looking climbing that tree.
Debra: Isn't it a beautiful orchid bloom! The common name for V. planifolia is "Vanilla Orchid". I think it would be so cool to grow one to maturity to harvest the vanilla beans and make vanilla extract.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1214/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_planifolia
Vanilla is an epiphytic vine that likes to live in trees rather than in soil. It will sink roots into an organic medium, but the stem of the vine should not be down in the medium.
"Jungle Growth" medium should be okay. Lay the vine cuttings on top of the medium and mist them regularly. Roots will sink into the medium and the vine will grow up, for which you will need something for it to climb on.
If the vine is not growing in a tree, it should be foliar fed liquid fertilizer at half strength monthly.
To assure a crop of Vanilla Beans (seed capsules), hand pollination of the flowers is very helpful.
Once the beans are mature, they are dried, cured, and made into extract.
I can almost smell them from here...
mmmm ... Vanilla!! One of my favorite flavors! I know the majority of people love chocolate but I've always been a vanilla kinda gal ... Vanilla Ice Cream, vanilla flavored milk. For 40+ years I always drank my coffee black with sugar but a couple of years ago my sister had me try her vanilla coffee creamer ... now I can't have my coffee without it and I even use it in tea as well. I don't bake as much as I used to but whenever a recipe calls for vanilla, I double the amount called for! ^_^
This has been a real education, I've been kind of scared to try a vanilla, you all make it sound easier than some of the internet info I've been reading. Where is a good place to purchase a start?
I, too, love the flavor and scent of vanilla. Living in North Central Texas I expect it would be impossible to grow this orchid. I would definitely be willing to give a try......
Robin, I think my tropicals guy here has some in the GH. I can call tomorrow and find out?
Thanks Carey.