Content
- A journey through the world of vanilla blossom
- Flowering time is in summer
- Fertilization requires intuition
- Tips
The vanilla flower is relatively small
A journey through the world of vanilla blossom
Without them, our culinary world would be poorer for a precious treasure. The coveted vanilla pods thrive only when the flowers of a vanilla orchid unfold. Now there is a chance for a few hours to pollinate, so that the desired capsule fruits thrive. Follow us on a journey from the vanilla blossom to the aromatic pod.
This article gives your vanilla orchid floral power Next article From cutting to finished vanilla orchid - How it worksFlowering time is in summer
A vanilla orchid made from cuttings makes us happy for the first time after 3 to 4 years. The green-yellow to cream-yellow flowers appear in small bunches that stand on short stems in the leaf axils. Unlike the cocky epiphytic orchids, the vanilla flowers remain rather small. The most important data at a glance:
During the summer, a single bud opens within a grape for a few hours in the morning. If pollination occurs during this time, a narrow capsule fruit up to 20 cm long will form within the next 6 to 9 months. Inside are countless tiny black seeds surrounded by an oily liquid rich in vanillin.
Fertilization requires intuition
As the bee and hummingbird species are not available as natural pollinators in Central Europe, the gardener takes over this function. Since vanilla is hermaphrodite, male pollen is the female pistachio in the immediate vicinity, separated only by a membrane. The trick is to use a pointy stick to transfer the pollen when the flower is just opened.
Tips
The popular Bourbon vanilla comes from the spice vanilla (Vanilla planifolia). Regardless of its popularity, the Mexican vanilla (Vanilla mexicana) from the Veracruz region is considered the de facto vanilla queen. Experts claim this type the world's best quality among the vanilla orchids.