Vanilla Orchid Plants

Vanilla Orchid Plants: Location And Appearance

Many people are surprised when they discover that the wonderful vanilla beans and flavoring actually come from orchids.  The flower, known as the Vanilla Orchid, grows primarily in parts of tropical Asia, South America, Africa, and New Guinea.  The Vanilla Orchid grows in a similar fashion to a vine, as it climbs trees and other sturdy structures as it grows.  As a monopod, it only grows a single vine which may be quite thick.  It’s green, round leaves grow alternately and may be very thick, depending on the particular type of Vanilla Orchid.  In the proper settings, vanilla orchid plants is not difficult.  However, the rarity of the flower and limited harvests is what makes vanilla prices so high.

The plant can grow up to forty meters long, with proper vanilla orchid plants, and can span all the way to the top of a tree.  Like many other species of orchids, their roots are a type known as aerial roots which grow from nodes along the plant.  In some species of Vanilla Orchids, the stems perform photosynthesis as well.  This explains why many plants may have few or no leaves.  Proper vanilla orchid plants involves nurturing the entire plant for this reason.

vanilla orchid plants: Flowers

The Vanilla Orchid may have a wide variety of flower colors.  Typical hues range from white to green to a pale yellow.  The reason vanilla orchid plants and harvest can be so difficult is that the flowers are short lived — they bloom in the morning for just one day during the blooming season, and have closed by late afternoon.  If the flower is pollinated during this short window, it will begin to develop into a vanilla bean.  However, if the flower is not pollinated it will wilt and drop off the plant.

Flowers of the Vanilla Orchid have a similar appearance to other orchids, although there are some minor differences.  The tube is more elongated and is capped with a greater bell shape.  Both the petals and sepals are very much alike in the Vanilla Orchid.  The flowers have a wonderful, sweet aroma during their short bloom.  Different species will have different variations of their color, spread, and size and so will require slightly different vanilla orchid plants.

vanilla orchid plants: Seed Pods

With proper vanilla orchid plants or natural settings, the seed pods will develop from pollinated flowers.  These pods are what is turned into vanilla extract or sold as vanilla beans.  The pods begin as an elongated green pod, but grow darker as they mature until they end up almost black.  The sticky pods give off a smell that will remind you of vanilla.  There can be up to one thousand small seeds in each seed pod.  The seed pods tend to be similar from one species to another, and hang from the plant.

While all other orchid species are used as decoration only, the Vanilla Orchid remains the only one used for food and cosmetic purposes.  With the proper vanilla orchid plants, this flower has provided a wonderful flavor compound.