How To Grow Vanilla

Vanilla beans, from which the favorite 'vanilla' flavor of your ice cream is derived, were originally cultivated by Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people. Scientifically called V.planifolia, vanilla belongs to the family of orchids. It was only in 1841 that the method of hand pollinating the bean plant was discovered and vanilla came to be grown all around the world. Vanilla plant is a climbing orchard that finds its best growing condition in warm and humid climate. Many people like to grow vanilla bean plant at their home as well. However, it needs to be remembered that growing vanilla in your garden will need greater effort than growing some other plant. If you also want to try doing that at home, this article will definitely prove worthy to you. Go through the following lines and find complete instructions on how to grow vanilla.

Growing Vanilla Beans Plant

Supplies Needed

Vanilla Plant Cutting
Water
Sharp Knife
Small Water Tight Container
Fertilizer
Soil
Support

Instructions

First of all, you need to buy the cutting of a vanilla pant from the local nursery.
When the cutting is being taken from the vanilla plant, make sure that there is at least one node and leaf on the stem.
After getting the cutting, place one of the ends, the one that will be submerged in water, under running water and cut it at a 45-degree angle.
Take a small, watertight container and put some water into it, you can also make use of a pill bottle for the purpose.
Add a pinch liquid fertilizer to the water and place the cut end of the cutting in the water.
Leave the cutting in the water, undisturbed, for at least 10 days or until the root grows out.
Once the root has formed, place the cutting in a pot that has been filled with soil. Vanilla plant requires organic soil for a proper growth. Hence, use lots of compost in the soil. Do not let the soil dry, nor keep it extremely wet.
Now, place the support in the soil, next to plant. This will allow the plant to grow along it.
Leave the pot in a humid area, such as your bathroom, where there is at least 50% light. These plants grow well in bright light. However, direct sunlight is not favorable for its proper growth.

Did You Know?

Vanilla plant can be pollinated by removing the lip of its flower and taking pollen from the anther part of the flower. It has to be placed in the nectar that is located in the stigma of the flower. You need to be careful while handling this process, as the plant emits a sap that causes irritation to skin.
Dark and dry pods of the vanilla beans can be used for baking and cooking.
Vanilla is the second most expensive spice sold in the world, after saffron.
Vanilla is widely used a flavor for ice cream.
Vanilla is also known to have several medicinal uses. It is called as an aphrodisiac and has been used to cure fever. Vanilla oil is sometimes used in aromatherapy.

How to Cite

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Home & Living'