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Vanilla pompona

Discussion in 'Orchid Species' started by rico, Oct 18, 2022.

  1. Oct 18, 2022 #1
    rico

    rico Active Member

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    Location:
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    Around four years ago when I started attending St. Olaf college I found a sad-looking Vanilla pompona in the college greenhouse. I read a bit about how the plant was supposed to be grown and then crossed my fingers before tearing it in two. Both pieces took off and now have apparently reached flowering size! Below are the first flowers to open. The plants are roughly 20 and 30 feet long, so I feel very fortunate they decided to bloom; I've heard some Vanillas need to be 50 feet long or so before they flower...

    For those who are curious, the flowers are fragrant but they don't smell like vanilla. My nose is totally unskilled at identifying scents, but it seems rather citrusy and minty - at any rate NOT vanilla.

    P.S. pardon the low-quality iPhone images. I hope you enjoy nonetheless,

    IMG-1489.jpg IMG-1486.jpg
     
    W. Malewa, J E, Roberta and 3 others like this.
  2. Oct 19, 2022 #2
    Nisanisa

    Nisanisa Well-Known Member

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    Location:
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    Very beautiful!
    I want to grow vanilla. Any vanilla will do. Have tried two or three with no success. Here, many farmers grow vanilla, I should ask some seedling and learn how to grow them.
     
  3. Oct 20, 2022 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    That is a nice reward for your efforts!
     
  4. Oct 20, 2022 #4
    Arne

    Arne Active Member

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    Location:
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    A nice reward for sure. You seem to have the space also. Makes me envious.