Vanill Planiflia

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pantera Laurel, DE(Zone 7a) Jun 21, 2011

I am looking for a vanilla plant that grows vanilla bean or called a pod. Now some say a vanilla orchild plant ,others say it is a plant called Vanilla Planiflia and it grows a OrchildFlower. They say as well it takes 8 years before you get that vanilla bean,others says 3 years.Now I found one place that sells one for 99.00 ,I need to know the right one to buy that is used for making ice cream and cooking. I know I asked so many questions if you all can help me with the plant and where I can find it.
Thank you so much

This message was edited Jun 21, 2011 6:47 PM

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 21, 2011

Vanilla orchid is the common name and Vanilla planifolia is the Latin name for the same plant http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1214/ (if you click on the link, there are pictures & more info about the plant, and also a link to several vendors that sell it...probably for less than $99)

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Cearbhaill Russell, KY(Zone 6b) Jun 25, 2011

I grew this for many years- first inside a bathroom where it ate my walls, then outdoors in a tree.
The vine climbs to a great height and any flowers you get are usually up very high.
It was also my understanding that specific moths are necessary to pollinate the flowers in order to get bean pods. Since South Florida had no such moths, pollination in my case took place manually, at the top of a very steep ladder.
I did eventually get a pod but it wasn't exactly what I would call an outstanding success as it was small.
Quite a lot of time spent waiting for the vine to mature and trouble to pollinate for two teeny beans.
I can see now why they are so expensive :)

Post #8653186
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 25, 2011

They're not actually that expensive--I looked at the vendors listed in the Plant Files entry and most of them seem to be selling it for $15-20. So either the $99 plant is much larger or it's not a very good deal.

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pantera Laurel, DE(Zone 7a) Jun 28, 2011

WOW! Cearbaill is there one type of moth that is needed? I have alot of them here in Delaware.

Thank you everyone for all your help

Post #8660083
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Cearbhaill Russell, KY(Zone 6b) Jun 28, 2011

I just looked it up and it is not a moth, it's a bee- a melipona bee that is native to Mexico.
If you are not in Mexico you will have to hand pollinate- fortunately there are 100 videos on Youtube that teach the method.
There is a very short window of opportunity as the flowers are only open for a short time.
It's fascinating, fun, and frustrating- all at once.

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