Flat-Leaved vanilla

Flat-Leaved vanilla Care

Vanilla planifolia

What is the plant

Vanilla planifolia is a species of climbing orchid native to Mexico and Belize and belongs to the genus Vanilla. The first name of the plant appeared in 1808, and in 1887 its illustration could be seen in the German book "Köhler's Medicinal Plants". Today, Vanilla planifolia is an endangered species, as its natural habitat is changing.

Flat-Leaved Vanilla can be identified by its long vine, growing up to a record 98 ft (30 m) in length, with strong and deep roots that make it comfortable in trees or other tall structures. The leaves, up to 5 in (15 cm) long, are thick, oval in shape, shiny in texture, and pointed at the tips.

The flowers are yellow or green in color and bloom for only one day.
An adult plant has banana-shaped pods that ripen after five months and are used to obtain the vanilla extract.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

20°C - 26°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water the plant 1-2 times a week in spring and summer and 2-3 times a month in the cold season. The watering frequency can be increased if a drought has come.
Pruning
Use a clean tool to cut back vines that are too long to control plant growth.
Fertilizer
Vanilla planifolia needs orchid fertilizer once every two weeks in spring and summer.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Provide bright lighting but avoid hot conditions, as the plant does not respond well to them.
Soil
Use equal parts of well-drained potting mix and orchid bark; this will provide access to nutrients for the plant.
Propagation
Carefully cut the cutting to at least 60 cm (23 inches) long, remove the lower leaves, then keep it in a damp cloth until planted in well-drained, loose soil. After five weeks, the cuttings will start to grow noticeably.

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Temperature
The plant is not cold hardy, so its ideal temperature is 80-95˚F (26-35°C).
Container
Any pot with drainage holes will do.
Fun fact
Vanilla planifolia is self-fertile, so the probability of pollination in the wild is 1-2%.