Are you looking to grow vanilla at home?
Growing your own vanilla bean plant is a fun and rewarding experience. It’s also an easy way to add some green to your life. You can even use the beans in cooking, so it’s a win-win! If you want to learn more about growing vanilla plants, read on.
Vanilla plants are tropical vines that need warm conditions and high humidity levels in order for them to thrive. They don’t like cold temperatures or direct sunlight, which means they won’t do well if grown outdoors in most parts of the world (except certain regions of Australia). However, there’s no reason why you can’t grow one indoors as long as you provide it with what it needs. In fact, we’ve created this guide just for people who want to know how they can successfully grow their own vanilla bean plant at home! So let’s get started…
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia and V. tahitensis)
When is the Best Time of the Year to Plant Vanilla
Vanilla can be cultivated twice a year. The ideal time for planting vanilla is in either May or September to October. If there is a delay in planting vanilla plants, the only option left is to plant them anytime between November and December.
1: The ideal time for planting vanilla – May & September-October
The best time to plant vanilla is between either May and June or September to October. This period is considered the ideal period for plantation because the plants get enough time to grow and mature. Also, the weather conditions during that period are not too hot or too cold which allows the plants to prosper well.
Vanilla is a shade-loving plant and it needs plenty of sunlight in order to grow and produce good leaves and flowers. It can be planted during either day or night times but if planted during the night, it must be protected from heavy rains or strong winds.
2: The alternative time for planting vanilla – November-December
When plant vanilla was delayed to either May or September-October, one can still plant them between November and December. However, the care needed will have to increase as this period has low temperatures.
In order to grow the vanilla plants well, one needs to use dry organic manure or old leaves from trees which can be used as mulch. About 5-7 weeks after planting seeds and 10 days before flowering should start watering the plant using a proper irrigation system to avoid over-watering. The soil needs to be kept moist all time.
Vanilla is a slow-growing crop. The time is taken for the plant to mature, flower and start producing fruits can take up to 5 years or maybe lesser depending on one’s expertise in the plantation. Annual maintenance of the plants needs some effort but once they are established it can go on easily by itself. Also, using fertilizer is not required. One can even use the waste products from vanilla such as old flowers and overripe fruits to feed their plants and help them grow well. This practice also helps in keeping the environment clean and green and is actually a good way to protect natural resources.
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Vanilla
When it comes to gardening, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to plant your vanilla. Since this delicious spice comes from the orchid family, you’ll want to choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect spot for your vanilla plants:
If you’re planting your vanilla in a container, be sure to choose a pot that’s at least 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep. The pot should also have drainage holes so the water can escape and prevent the soil from becoming soggy.
When choosing a location in your garden, look for a spot that gets plenty of sunlight. When it comes to vanilla, this means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you’re not sure where in your garden gets the most sun, consult your local nursery or plant expert.
If you plan on growing vanilla indoors, be sure there is plenty of extra space around each plant so they have room to grow and thrive.
Once your plants have grown, you’ll notice that they’re climbing vines. For indoor plants, this means you may need additional support to keep the vines from falling over. Simply use twine or sturdy string and tie it around the plant’s main stem so it can grow straight up without any danger of falling over.
How Often Should I Watering Vanilla
There is no definitive answer to this question. The amount of water that a vanilla plant needs will vary depending on the climate, the soil, and the size and age of the plant. In general, though, you should aim to water your vanilla plant deeply and infrequently.
This is in contrast to how many gardeners water their plants. They might use the same watering schedule (i.e., giving their plant enough water to keep it moist) regardless of whether they are growing an herb like basil or a vanilla plant. And when it comes to watering, there is no one-size-fits-all rule. Most herbs prefer the frequent-and-light approach, but vanilla is an orchid—a tender plant that likes to have its soil kept just moist.
When and How to Harvest Vanilla
Vanilla is a tropical plant that originates from Central and South America. Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world and it’s because of its rarity. It’s also enjoyed by many, but relatively few people know how to harvest vanilla.
Vanilla flowers can be harvested at any time of the year, but they should be allowed to fully bloom before the harvesting process begins. The plant will need significant care and maintenance if you want to get more beans from it in future seasons. The moment you start seeing flowers on your plant, prepare your supplies so you’re ready when the right time arrives!
To harvest vanilla you will need a sharp instrument like a knife, a bowl, and some tweezers. Cut the vines from which the flowers grow from their stem. Use extreme caution when handling the vines as they are very delicate and don’t bruise easily. Harvesting too early can produce weak beans, so be sure to only cut the flowers when they reach their full potential.
Pick the flowers and place them in a bowl. Separate the beans from the flower using your tweezers, then grab each bean carefully with your hand by its base. Place all of your vanilla beans into a glass container, covering them completely with alcohol to prevent additional oxidation damage. If you’re planning on drying the beans, place them in a dry and well-ventilated area.
Different Ways to Store Vanillas
Vanilla extract is a great way to add flavor to your baked goods, and it’s easy to make your own. You can buy vanilla extract in the store, or you can make your own at home. Here are a few different ways to store vanilla dark:
1) In a dark, cool place: This is the most common way to store vanilla extract. A cool, place is the perfect environment for storing vanilla extract because it will keep the flavor and aroma of the extract strong.
2) In the refrigerator: If you want to extend the shelf life of your vanilla extract, you can store it in the refrigerator. The cold temperature will help keep the flavor and aroma of the extract fresh.
3) In a dark, cool place in a tightly closed bottle: This method will help you extend the life of your vanilla extract. The only problem with this is that you won’t be able to easily access it when you need it.
4) In vodka, rum, or another liquor in a tightly closed jar: If you store your vanilla extract in spirits, it will keep fresh for up to three years. If you want, you can replace the rum or vodka with water or alcohol-free vanilla extract.
5) In olive oil: Storing your vanilla extract in olive oil is the best way to store it because this will extend its flavor and aroma by six months.
6) In an airtight container: Using a tightly sealed container or a mason jar is the best way to store your vanilla extract because it will keep it fresh for up to three years.
Other things of interest about Vanilla
– Vanilla is the only fruit-bearing member of the orchid family.
– The flower that produces the vanilla bean lasts only one day.
– Handpicked beans are cured, wrapped and dried in a process that takes 4 to 6 months.
– The name “vanilla” comes from the Spanish word “vanilla,”, which means little pod.
– Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world after saffron.
– About 250 handpicked beans are needed to produce one kilogram of vanilla ice cream.
– One acre of vanilla orchids uses about 140 gallons of water a day.
– Vanilla beans are used to make vanilla extract, which is the most common form in which people use vanilla. The majority of these extracts contain artificial flavorings. Therefore using real vanilla beans or pure vanilla extract will make your home smell like chocolate pudding and cookies when baking!
Conclusion:
Now you have a better idea of how to grow Vanilla you can start your journey! Let the plants grow and harvest them when they are ready! If you leave them too long, they’ll die. So keep a close eye on these beautiful creatures.