- With the right care for flowering - this is how it works
- The time window for pollination is only open for a short time
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In order to grow vanilla pods yourself, you will look in vain for seeds in specialist shops. The seeds of a vanilla orchid are unsuitable for this purpose. It is better if you buy a young plant, which you encourage to flower with loving care and pollinate manually. You can find out how the process works successfully here.
If you want to grow your own vanilla, it is not an easy task
With the right care for flowering - this is how it works
The vanilla orchid likes a bright to sunny location with warm temperatures of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius all year round. In addition, high humidity of 60 to 70 percent is ideal, so a bathroom or spa room is perfect. If you spoil the demanding plant with this care, the flowering will not be long in coming:
- Water the special orchid soil only when it has dried well
- Only use room-warm, lime-free water for watering
- Supply half the concentration of liquid orchid fertilizer every 14 days from April to September
- Spray the vanilla with lime-free water every 2 to 3 days
Provide your vanilla orchid with a climbing aid or place it in a large hanging basket, always with an eye on adequate access to sunlight.
The time window for pollination is only open for a short time
Once your vanilla orchid has decided to flower, a bud will open within the inflorescence for a few hours every day. Use this opportunity for a manual pollination between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. As a hermaphrodite, each flower has female and male organs separated only by a membrane. Pick up the male pollen with a toothpick and transfer it to the female stigma underneath.
Over the next 6 to 9 months, the buds turn into long, green pods that resemble pole beans from afar. This is where the longed-for vanilla pulp matures. During this time, continue the care program unabated with moderate watering and regular fertilizing.
tips
Vanilla beans are mildly toxic with frequent contact. The plant sap contained in the flowers and leaves also triggers skin irritations, which manifests itself in severe itching. If you grow vanilla in large quantities, we recommend wearing protective gloves for all maintenance and harvesting work.