did you know?

Vanilla is an orchid that grows naturally on trees and shrubs in the warm, moist forests of the tropics and subtropics in the Americas. Its ornate yellow-green flowers develop the brown seed pods from which vanilla's fragrant essential oil is extracted.

pests/diseases:

Aphids, scale insects, and spider mites may occur.

controls:

Hose off aphids and spider mites with strong stream of water; apply horticultural-oil spray, and use beneficial insect predators. For scale, apply horticultural oil spray.

how to sow/plant:

Start with purchased plants or cuttings taken after a period of dormancy and kept dry for 2 weeks. Plant in a container with bark mix, or attach to large pieces of fibrous bark. Place in a humid, shady site in the greenhouse and grow as for orchid culture.

water and fertilize:

Water regularly during the entire year. Feed biweekly with a soluble fertilizer all summer.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Fragrant
• Shade Tolerant

garden uses:

• Containers
• Indoors

other uses:

• Culinary/Edible (use oil extract for flavoring in baking)

combine with:

other tropical orchids, or grow as a specimen in the greenhouse.