VANILLA ORCHID
Vanilla planifolia Orchidaceae One of the most expensive and sought after spices in the world, vanilla is endemic to Mexico and produced in tropical areas such as Madagascar, India, and the South Pacific. This true vanilla orchid is a moisture loving, epiphytic plant that thrives in high humidity and consistently warm temperatures. The trailing waxy vine has aerial roots that take water and nutrients from the atmosphere and do not require soil, though once established they can grow downward and anchor themselves into leaf litter acting semi terrestrial at times. Once the vanilla orchid is established in the right conditions, it can grow indefinitely to great lengths producing long lasting, cream-colored orchid flower bud inflorescence, opening one each day for over a month at a time and giving way to clusters of green vanilla producing beans or seed pods. It is widely cultivated by farmers who understand the plant and will take the time to hand pollinate the flowers with brushes and meticulously ‘cure’ the beans to bring out the aromatic Vanillin constituent. Mature beans require a fermentation period to slowly convert the hard green fibrous pod into the soft brown oily bean that is so coveted in the spice trade.
Ships free! Available for a limited time: order by May 26th or while supplies last. The plants will ship in order received by early June in 4” pots. Available only within the contiguous US.
