The Most Flavorful Orchid -
Vanilla Orchid Plant

Vanilla extract is from the vanilla orchid plant and most of us didn't realize that this well used spice comes from an orchid plant. The species is named Vanilla planifolia and it is "the" primary orchid species of commercial enterprises in the sense of a food product. It was discovered during the 16th century by Aztec Indians. It is documented that the plant was given by Emperor Montezuma to the Spanish Conquistadors in 1518 and brought to Europe.

As it was introduced to European royalty it started to make its way into the kitchens of Europe and especially into the flavoring of the cocao otherwise known as choclate. It was the French who started to cultivate this bean in a major way in the Indian Ocean area, especially, Madagascar.

The Vanilla orchid is a true epiphyte or air plant and lives in the humid rain forests of central and south America, Mexico, Tahiti and Madagascar. It enjoys the high humidity of these areas and grows as a vine. The vines can reach a length of up to 30 feet. This orchid plant takes 7 to 8 years to mature.

The fruit is in the pods of the irregular plant leaves which grow in a zig-zag formation on tree trunks. It will eventually produce a flower when it is mature as well as the seed pods. It is the seed pods that are taken and used as vanilla. These are dried over a 6 month period. The flower is a yellow-green color and resembles a Cattleya. There have been scientific advances using a tissue propagation to grow this orchid more easily and economically to produce more seed pods or "valilla beans" for commercial use.

You can purchase Vanilla orchid plants to grow yourself. They do require hot humid environment with temperatures in the 80 - 85 F. range during the day and down to 60- 65 F.at night. You should also use a balanced fertilizer like one with 20-20-20. The Vanilla orchid plant requires watering 2 - 3 times a week but there is a balance to keep the root from getting too water logged and damaged by root rot.

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