Q&A for How to Grow Vanilla

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How are you able to keep it trained vertically without it being way too tall?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Vanilla orchids grow up tree trunks and branches in the wild so you should replicate this by securing the growing orchid up a trellis. It will need to be grown in a room tall enough for this.

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Question

Can it be profitable?

Community Answer

Yes, BUT you have to be willing to wait for years, you have to be willing to do all of the work and investment, and you have to check out any providers where you live to see the market size (at say, a Farmers Market). Then you have to be extra sure that your pollination was done correctly (and or have more than one plant). You might want to establish yourself at the selling point (local market, online, etc.) before you go there selling a tropical plant at reasonably high prices.

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Question

My vanilla plant is more than 15 yrs old growing in a plant pot, but not yet planted. Can I replant it with small vine cuttings? If so, what manure should I use?

Community Answer

It must be pretty tall. Cut and plant one meter long cuttings to make new plants. Use the manure recommended in the article.

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Can vanilla orchids be pollinated another way instead of by hand?

Community Answer

They can by a particular insect, but that is too rare. It is better to do it by hand and be sure.

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Question

What can I do when mine isn't flowering after the expected time?

Community Answer

At 5 feet, loosen whatever has grown higher and bring it down to touch the ground. If you have excess, again, train the vine back up to 5 feet and down again. This way, more yielding area will be reachable. Pinch nodes to stimulate flowering. Don't break the skin, just pinch with pliers.

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Question

Is it better to grow vanilla from seed or from cuttings?

Community Answer

Cuttings are the best option. Vanilla is a orchid and it is a very bad idea to grow them from seed. If you're a pro, you're welcome to try, but it's very difficult.

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Question

What are the best weather conditions for growing vanilla?

Community Answer

Vanilla needs to be grown in a tropical climate.

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Question

If growing under cover due to high rainfall, what would you consider an ideal interior height for the trellis?

Allen West

Community Answer

It only requires several feet from the soil, but will grow as tall as you let it. Height is not as important as humidity, fertilization, air, and light for healthy development.

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Question

Is it profitable for us to transplant a 2-3 year old cutting? As I understand ,the flowering and harvesting will be quick.

Allen West

Community Answer

Flowering and harvesting are not quick. A 2-3 year old cutting can easily take 2-5 more years to establish itself enough to bloom, and even then needs proper conditions or it may never flower. After that, it takes months from pollination to harvest, usually 8-10, as described in the article. Unless you have many plants and experience, I would not expect significant income from vanilla growing.

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Question

Can a dehydrator be used to cure the vanilla beans in the final step?

Allen West

Community Answer

Forced dehydration works, however, this results in poor quality flavoring and is not recommended. The method described in the article produces a higher grade vanilla.

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Question

Will vanilla grow hydroponically? How would I do that?

Pâris MEULEMAN

Community Answer

You probably could do that, but I don't think you'd have a huge benefit. I would rather be going for either biological media (e,g, a mix of "orchid" bark, coco husk, charcoal, sphagnum) or mineral media and have a weekly irrigation. Increasing the surface (and amount of roots) in contact with the medium (hence water+fert) helps strengthen the vine and keep a humid environment, you could do that building a cylindrical trellis with the medium inside as a replacement for the stakes.

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