Growing Vanilla

[@jerryturner2310]

Let me tell you what's different about you, Bill. You have taken the time to respond to every comment here. To me, that is just as impressive as the information you gave in your video. And I LOVED your video.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

My grades in English were top. Communication and language have always been an important part of my life. I am old school and really miss the days when people wrote letters. The smart phone texting and emoji's that we consider communication these days gives me constipation. Do unto others as you wish to have done unto you. If people ask a good question I try to give a good answer. I am retired and I live on a 4000 sq mile Island in the middle of the Pacific that is 2500 miles from the nearest land mass. In Hawaii we "Talk story" and I have the time for it.

[@samchan4487]

​ where cane I'm buy vanila to grow

[@michaeldean9338]

Didn't realize that vanilla was an orchid. Learned a lot. Love the laid-back format. Thanks, GardenGuy :)

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I believe it is the only orchid that we eat. Thanks for the comment.

[@michaeldean9338]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Will stay tuned, friend. Peace...

[@truthmatters-t7e]

I have been growing vanilla for many years. When I start a cutting.... I lay it on the ground on the shady side of a tree trunk... with a portion leaning on a tree. It doesn't take long before it starts climbing.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Same basic idea as setting a pot of bark with a cutting by the tree. Things are active and the weeds crazy here. If I didn't use the pot of bark I'd whack the cutting while weeding. even with the pot I still cut a few.

[@hog7203]

Excellent video. I've been interested in trying to grow vanilla orchids so I've been researching videos on KZbin. I live in NC zone 7 so I'm limited to greenhouse/indoor cultivation. I don't have the luxury of living in a tropical paradise, so I'm definitely jealous of your garden/ yard. 😄 You should tell your buddy who grows his vanilla on a chocolate tree to plant some strawberries around the base and he can make his own Neopolitan ice cream 😆 You mentioned that coco coir works for growing/rooting vanilla orchids. You should try using luffa sponge and see if it works. It can be used like Rock wool for rooting and starting seeds. There's a few videos on KZbin of it being used that way. It's a fairly easy plant to grow. I've grown it a few times with a lot of success. I'm gonna try using it myself as a grow medium for the upcoming season.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Too dark under Cacao for strawberries, funny thought though. We use coconut coir or pine bark as a media for orchids. In Hawaii we sometimes see lava cinder. I do not like the stuff. I fear Luffa will rot down too easy. Coir, bark and cinder do not rot down easily. Inert materials are the choice. People use rock wool for cannabis culture but like cinder, I dislike the stuff. Rock wool is pretty nasty stuff. Aloha

[@3vil3lvis]

At first I was a little jealous of your Vanilla, which changed to envy for your coffee. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Last time I was jealous of a friend his brother later sued him for his business, his wife left him for another man and he took to drinking until his pancreas died. Aloha

[@3vil3lvis]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Condolences for your loss. Perhaps the lesson in your story is that we should appreciate what we have while we have it, because everything is temporary. Even these comments will eventually get deleted by Google when they need more space on their servers. But for now at the least I can say Thank you, your hard work has not gone unnoticed.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@3vil3lvis I only look backwards for interesting stories and to study history. Remorse over the past is not logical, nothing can be changed. I've just never had good experience with envy. The good always seems to come with the bad. Aloha

[@paulettejemmott3900]

My father planted one in soil in Barbados and it is thriving and climbing up a concrete wall, No trees are near it. Best to just experiment with different types of mediums when you have enough cuttings from any plant. I am currently experimenting in coconut husks, direct to soil next to a fence and in soil in pots. Even though the tips seem to wilt within a week I have left them and new roots have emerged in all mediums. The fast release fertilizer in MiracleGro has not harmed mine either. One thing I have learned as a gardener ... I never say never. Something that may not grow well in one area of my garden will thrive in another area. Mother nature finds a way.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

The vanilla vine will grip most surfaces if they are not too hot. They will require some shading in afternoon sun. That is why I use trees. Sometimes mother nature finds way to kill off gardeners experiments if the culture isn't close enough to natures requirements. You're on the right track if it keeps working.

[@MrThextcman]

Love the video. Just love seeing how plants live in different ways. So cool.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ASears-uy3wh]

I grow a lot of my food. Gardening is my way of life. I did not know much, if anything, about vanilla so I did a search and your video popped up...i dont think i need to watch any other ones. You did a great job. Only question, is growing vanilla in Wisconsin feasible?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks mate. Was just given a 3ft cutting & will use your method to "pot" 3 sections up. Hope all's well with you and yours.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Things are fine here. We keep getting more Covid cases but I stick to my farm and stay out of crowds.

[@sedoniadragotta8323]

Mix 2 cups bonemeal, 2 cups cottonseed meal, and 2 cups wood ashes in a bowl. Apply 3 tablespoons of this mix in the orchid mix once every 2-3 months

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

A naturally liquid fertilizer is much easier to apply to a 200 pound vine that a powder. I use fish emulsion and occasional commercial orchid food.

[@mermaidtails4391]

Thank you so much for your vanilla knowledge! You explained a lot of the little things that are truly the big things to becoming a successful vanilla grower. Thanks a bunch!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

You're welcome. It is a very challenging and different type of crop.

[@knowledgeispower5668]

Thank you sir !....you dint have to but you did ,thank you!! for the lesson great video .

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Thanks for watching.

[@kay3896]

Bill! I have some maui wowie seeds from you i was gifted from someone in California. I was just sending out a few to share with buddies in Oregon this morning. So cool i came across this video today! Thanks for sharing!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Guess you are lucky the laws about transportation of cannabis seeds have been changed. It used to be a federal offense to move over state lines.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@kay3896 There are laws that were a bad idea from the beginning but the vast majority of laws are a good idea, help keep society orderly and free of chaos. I recommend following them for your own good if not the good of others. Specific laws that are poorly thought out are best addressed through peaceful protest and addressing your leaders. Ignoring them will only land you in court and possibly prison.

[@ramonafrances4364]

I appreciate your explanation. I recently placed 5 eight foot vanilla vines under citrus trees with thin foliage & modest height in Honoka'a, an hour north of Hilo. I planted 2 more in loose coconut shell lined hole beneath a tree before seeing your video. A pig or neighborhood dog dug it up but the plant is fine - maybe the pig saved it from rotting or maybe not. I dont know. I am new at this. I was purported to be a plant expert in CA. Now I am a transplant who sits under trees enchanted by the idea I know nothing and can start from scratch. Its so fun. Thanks for your assistance.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Like most of the orchids we grow here are just placed on trees. That is the habit of many orchids. Gardeners just get so used to digging holes in the ground they sometimes forget some things grow in trees.

[@Pluscelamemechose]

I have 3 orange trees, in a shady area, and one has a lovely orchid in it. They are happy and fruit 3 times a year, at least. Thank you for all your help.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Very good, mahalo

[@Jbewell1991]

Excellent video. Not just content, but your delivery. This is my son’s iPad, but I’m trying to start my little craft channel to spay and neuter a feral cat colony, and filming is so difficult for me. I have grown to appreciate every single person putting up content, irrespective of content. This was really informative and great delivery. I subbed. Our modem got fried in a horrible T storm and my son’s been so busy at work he hasn’t had time to swap it out. He watches mainly videos about video games and people shooting stuff. Lately his channel is populating junk journal videos and now you. Ha. Cheers from Richmond va, patricia

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the channel. Stay tuned

[@menantibintang]

It's like a vanila in indonesia...make me happy ,when i saw your vanila garden mr...

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla grows here as well as it does in Mexico & Central America. We do not seem to have diseases or insect that pray on it here.

[@jessmorthiele]

This is so amazing! Thank you! I didn't know anything about vanilla! I didn't know it was a climbing orchid! Thank you for this video!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Glad to help. Vanilla is a one of a kind crop for sure. Aloha

[@Sue-ec6un]

Great video! Thanks for the info! Aloha

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

hauʻoli makahiki hou!

[@kayleighlaniel5345]

i'm hoping to try my luck at growing one of these beauties as well as the coffee and cacao eventually up in snowy canada as a semi-indoor plant untill i could get a greenhouse, i love your laidback care approach! i hope to do these plants justice and maybe enjoy them with our maple and berries thatgrow wild here!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla orchids are some of the largest orchids I know of. I've seen them grown successfully in San Francisco. They were in a heated green house at a west coast orchid grower. I figure on 6 foot high by 12 feet wide space for growing. The vines need to turn sideways to flower. That takes a lot of room. Thanks for watching. Aloha

[@sethofspades2632]

Thank you for this! I actually ordered a vanilla cutting and a coffee tree a bit (they arrived today!) and I didn’t know they paired well together! I guess it’s meant to be!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Most people who pair crops use cacao and vanilla. I am the only guy I know who used coffee and avocado. Much of the commercial vanilla in Hawaii is in hoop houses on PVC trellis. In Costa Rica cacao is common. Tom Sharky from Hilo, HI uses cacao too.

[@lonigirl8807]

Where did you order vanilla cuttings and cacao? Thanks

[@sethofspades2632]

@@lonigirl8807 I ordered mine off of Etsy. I think you might’ve been referring to my coffee tree rather than cacao but, I ordered that one off of Amazon I think. Edit: sorry, I thought you were replying to my comment.

[@lonigirl8807]

@@sethofspades2632 I was referring to your comment. Thank you for your reply.

[@sethofspades2632]

@@lonigirl8807 Oh ok. No problem!

[@kikibutter3543]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm new to your channel and very interested in growing my own vanilla.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

It is a very interesting crop with decent profit for labor if you are patient and don't mind the tedious task of hand pollination. Figure on 5 or 6 years of training the vines before you get much of a crop. After that it is pretty consistent.

[@unpopuIaropinion]

Thank you for the awesome video! I am in Crete, Greece. Our climate is probably similar to mid - north florida. I think I am USDA 9 - 10. Our winters average 50f but on rare occasions it can get as low as 37f (for the night). Do you think I can grow Vanilla here? Also same question for Cacao ? Thank you :)

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Both vanilla and cacao are true tropical plants. Our temperature in HI never drops below 50 f. I have to stop raising the cacao seedlings in the winter because it is too cold and they look awful. I only grow and sell the plants spring to fall. Vanilla will tolerate cool weather but not cold. I would guess 37 f is too cold but I have never tried. The only way you will know for sure is to plant the crop and see what happens. In Florida only the southern tip of the state is suitable.

[@alexmaldonado764]

Your awesome. 🫡 And your extremely knowledgeable we need more people like you. Thank you for teaching us about vanilla trees 🤔 they look like vines. But they smell delicious

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla is a vining orchid that grows on trees in the wild. One of me is enough, if we had two I might have to dispatch the other one. Aloha

[@timothyjones9430]

I live in the tropics. I am considering very soon in setting up about 1000 plants on an acre of land here. IM a ships Capt and engineer by trade. But at 55 I want to retire on land and start winding down from the sea. Growing Vanilla seems like a nice way to retire and get paid while enjoying some nature. This video is a year old. SO I will look you up on other videos to see how your doing today.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

It is not hard work but it is tedious and time consuming. Vanilla takes a while to get producing, 5 to 6 years or more. Consider starting before you walk off the ship. We are doing fine with the crop but still learning how to get the most out of the vines. I recently planted 30 more vines on coffee trees here. Here is a more recent video and one about propagation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baGzhqOkmZ1mhdU&ab_channel=GreenGardenGuy1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnLWlZqwZrBgrtE&ab_channel=GreenGardenGuy1

[@timothyjones9430]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Appreciate the videos.. Yes I know its long term project. Thank you for the replies..

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@timothyjones9430 You're welcome.

[@christophermcsween965]

Lava rock and orchid mix combine well

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Lots of people use lava here but it has fallen with the commercial growers ever since the county discovered nematode in cinder and require it to be steamed. It is abundant but I have never seen a really good root system from cinder. Orchid bark plain seems to work fine.

[@spearageddon3279]

Fantastic tutorial sir, thank you for sharing your knowledge! 👍👍😊

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Thank you. Truly noble plant.

[@ladiewithstyle]

Really nice video. Lots of helpful information Would you sell a couple of your Vanilla Orchid Starts? I love the vine and can provide a good home.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Right now I am sold out because the plant has become popular. If you live here in Hawaii I will have a new crop ready soon at the nursery. If you're in the Mainland I can only ship to 46 states. CA, AZ,TX & LA are prohibited.

[@jcomm120]

Great, thank you for sharing your experience♡

[@mcsfarrugia]

GreenGardenGuy1 when would you have more in and be able to ship. I’m in Pennsylvania

[@ladiewithstyle]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 I'm in Missouri, but have a very good friend on the big island. Where are you located Sir? And when is a good time? Thank you TL Briggs

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@ladiewithstyle Please use my email for directions. [e-mail]

[@spookybells5099]

Very nice video! Thank you for the fun watch :D

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

It is an interesting crop. The only orchid that we eat.

[@nicodemossoares7071]

Great vido! thanks 🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Glad you enjoyed it. I have a few other vanilla videos. Use the youtube search box, greengardenguy1/vanilla

[@WhiteRaven621]

Chock full of information thank you!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Thanks

[@WhiteRaven621]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 You are so welcome. This really is helpful to the max. Sharing your wisdom is such a wonderful act of kindness.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Thank you@@WhiteRaven621

[@bedouintrader]

a beautiful video thumbs up !!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Many thanks!

[@bjohnson2003]

Thanks for the great information. Have you processed beans from your vanilla plants? I've heard traditionally, it's quite a long and laborious process, but wondering if there's a more modern and easier way to do it.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

There are lots of ways to cure the beans. We use the method detailed by Tom Sharky in the video about his farm. Mostly we just sweat them in the sun in plastic bags. I roll the beans in felt every night and put them back out in the sun during the day. Once the proper color and aroma is achieved we just continue sun drying to the right moisture and flexibility. Don't over dry them, brittle beans are not desirable. Vanilla is a tedious crop for labor but it isn't difficult or is it hard work. A person in a wheel chair could farm this crop if it was set up right.

[@RealRichardTalbot]

Now that I'm out 'n about in Dec 31 in cargo shorts and Thirts in central EU... Might give it a try :D Thanks great vid!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

My guess, a winter coat is in your future. Start building a greenhouse! Aloha

[@maragrace820]

In Italy we used coffee grounds as the only fertilizer. They love it

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Interesting. How do you apply coffee grounds on an epiphyte? Mine have no contact with the earth. I'd have spray it.

[@maragrace820]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Orchids are on a pot with pieces of barks. You just sprinkle it on the barks and when you water they absorb it. I am going to start with a vanilla orchid and I am planning to do the same with it.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@maragrace820 I use pots and bark in the nursery for plant sales. People like to carry home a plant with a pot. It is an easy way to get the orchids started. I place the cutting in the pot at the base of the trellis they grow on and allow it to climb. I do feed this pot a bit to get the vine started. In a few years the bark in the pot decomposes and the vine rots off at the base. This is a natural progression because vines are truly epiphytic in nature, not terrestrial. In other words they grow in trees, not connected to the ground. They don't need a lot of extra feed because they survive well on bird droppings, and other natural sources that happen in trees. The tree bark is the key here. They like the tree bark because they grow in trees. When the bark becomes soil they leave it.

[@maragrace820]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 very interesting. What variety do you recommend? I like to make pastry cream with it. I was reading the Madagascar is one of the best. True? I live in Georgia so I will have to bring it in the winter time. .... Thanks and great videos.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@maragrace820 Ninety-five percent of the world's vanilla bean trade comes from one species, Vanilla planifolia. Most of what people consider varieties are not, they are growing locations. We grow the same vanilla in Hawaii is Tahiti and Madagascar.

[@renegadetherapist5664]

Just bought a large variegated one. This new one is from a nursery, but planted in soil. The soil is not too heavy but........... Should I replant it? Or let it wait to get accustomed to it's new home? I do grow other orchids so I have orchid bark, etc. Thanks for the video, great info!!!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

On occasion I have grown the vines in soil less media like sphagnum moss and perlite. It is soil like and seems to work. If that is what is in the pot then it will likely work out. Cinder is usually okay too. If it is potting soil than I would switch it out. If it is actual soil I definitely transplant! I do fine with medium to coarse orchid bark. In the field I park the potted vines in bark and left them climb. Eventually the vine leaves the pot and lives only in the trees.

[@renegadetherapist5664]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Thanks so much for your quick response! Another question I just thought of: does it freeze where you are? I'd love to grow it outside, I'm in Florida and it freezes a couple of nights a year. Would it be ok outside all the time?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@renegadetherapist5664 You're welcome. Thanks for using the channel

[@GBEZ]

Can you talk a little about the altitude considerations (if any) for vanilla? My family's properties vary drastically in altitude and I'm wondering if one may be better suited to our vanilla growing endeavors than the other. One is at 1100 ft and the other is at roughly 2800. Mahalo for your kokua!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Judging by elevation alone the 1100 foot property is a better bet. I believe vanilla would grow at 2800 feet but much slower. Probably too slow for commercial production.

[@cheguajak]

perfect sharing.....TQ my friend

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Aloha

[@localpatron9466]

can you put hunny and cinnamon on the steam that you cut off and put that in soil?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

My guess is "hunny" means honey and "steam" means stem? It sounds like a great way to draw ants. Why would we want to put honey and cinnamon on cut stems or soil?

[@Giggz_6002]

Any thoughts on if u think there's a way possible to grow it commercially in the states ik it happens In Hawaii but that's kinda far off 😅

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I've seen the vines thriving under greenhouse conditions in San Francisco. I believe they have examples down in Homestead, FL. Vanilla farming is best where you have cheap labor and favorable climate. Outside of the tropics it could be a curiosity plant for greenhouse production and the house plant trade. HI is a state since 59. Aloha

[@michelleblackpeach2674]

Would it be possible to grow in Arizona, using a mister ? I'm thinking we have the heat (going by your answer to another comment, I read them all before asking my question)anyway I'm thinking using a mister would bring downs the heat, add moisture. What are your thoughts on it

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla is a tropical tree dwelling orchid adapted to high humidity growing. To grow it in AZ you would need a heated greenhouse with a summer cooling system and mist. The plant is poorly adapted to AZ climate. Puerto Rico, St Thomas, South Florida and Hawaii are the only places in the USA where it could be grown as a field crop. Everywhere else you would need a "plant space station". I've seen large fruiting vines in the San francisco Bay Area. They used greenhouses to grow it. It is the largest orchid I know of so it needs plenty of space too.

[@jerielbrown732]

Here in Suriname,it grows every where Cacaô, and big mango tree,s bu we don,t know before,that it give the beans after a year in april time so we are taking iy out ,buy now

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Cacao is a great host tree for vanilla. It is used as support here too.

[@ariamadrid1436]

Yay thank you!!! This is my new favorite channel. I live in New Hampshire.... do you think I could grow coffee or vanilla here?..... I’ll ask google.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Coffee and vanilla are tender plants and require a tropical climate. Coffee is a bit stronger than vanilla. In NH these plants would have to live in a greenhouse. Aloha

[@moxsteady5849]

I saw this plant in a plant shop for $80! It was sooo beautiful I wanted it so badly. so here I am researching about the plant. Yours is the most gorgeous one I have come across!! Soo large and healthy! So impressive! I can’t wait to acquire this plant someday & I’m glad I’ll know how to care for it thanks to your videos :) thank you!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I see some pretty high prices on vanilla orchids even on this Island. If you are picking them up from the nursery I sell mine for $10. They are not difficult to grow so the high price seems artificial and strictly profit motivated.

[@moxsteady5849]

Do you sell and ship rooted cuttings??? If so I’d definitely be interested in purchasing one! if not no worries I will come across one eventually :)

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@moxsteady5849 I do sell rooted cuttings but I am currently sold out because of this video. I have unrooted cuttings right now. Rooted cuttings will be about another 6 weeks. I am limited by State laws as to where I can ship. If you live in CA, AZ, TX & LA I am prohibited from shipping. In the other 46 states I can ship. Because all states require an inspection and that is a 50 mile round trip for me I have a minimum order of $100 plus postage & taxes.

[@moxsteady5849]

GreenGardenGuy1 aw maybe in another lifetime :( I am in California. I’ll just admire yours for now!

[@KristieChing]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 how much do you charge to ship to Oahu? I have only one cutting I'm trying to root now. 🤞 Would love to have more. Thanks

[@owl1873]

Great video 👍🇺🇸

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Thanks. It is a very interesting crop. Only orchid we use for food.

[@drikonrokon852]

Would moss and perlite work for them? Like you would use for Venus fly traps, I live in the Texas central area (edwards plateau) and I own dendrobium, philonopsis, vandas and ludiscia orchids which are inside with temperature during winter 75 then during the summer gets in the high 80s to give you perspective, would vanilla orchids thrive in my indoor environment?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla is an epiphyte, fly traps are terrestrial bog plants. There is no similarity in growing conditions. The only reason we use any media on epiphytic orchids is to hold them up in the pots for growers. In Hawaii most orchids are tied to trees. They are only potted for shipping and sales. The most popular media is pine bark chunks, followed by coconut coir and lava cinder. Sphagnum is used in a mix with some growers but then the water schedule is adjusted accordingly. All epiphytic orchids have a spongey coating on the roots that hold water like a succulent. This is how they survive on trees. If the media they are in is too moist the coating rots and the plant dies. Consider that media is only used to hold the plants, nothing more. It can be made of almost anything that doesn't hold much water. I once saw beautiful orchids grown in shredded athletic shoes to prove the point. If a person is willing to drag a giant orchid in and out of the greenhouse then I suppose it is possible. To fruit vanilla you will need a plant that measures around 6' tall and 10 'wide. The vines are turned sideways to build up carbohydrate for flowering.

[@drikonrokon852]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 oh ok so do like I'm doing my dendrobium, they are mostly bark with lava cinder with coconut chunks with small amounts of moss, since I live in an apartment currently I'm thinking about using cork bark rounds to surround a pole so it can be easy to move and add on top once it grows taller but if there's something better please let me know

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

You will get little or nothing if you use a pole. The vines need to be turned sideways in order to build carbohydrate for flowering. It takes about 5 or 6 years of development to get a vine big enough to flower. By that point expect to have a plant about 6' high and 10 " or 12" wide. You might experiment with coiling the fruiting vines instead of running them straight on the trellis. It would save some space but make the flowers harder to find and pollinate.

[@beeneverywhereman]

This thing would kick the bucket in 9b...sigh... one day maybe.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Yes, it is a total tropical. It will grow in a green house but vanilla is far too large as a house plant.

[@NMW80]

GreenGardenGuy1 can you grow it in a green house in a cool temperate climate though? We get some beautiful hot summers here in Victoria Australia, but it gets colder here in winter though but hardly ever get snow where I am.

[@NMW80]

GreenGardenGuy1 if I was to grow it in a hot house would I need a tree for it to grow off though?

[@NMW80]

GreenGardenGuy1 also mate can they grow well from seeds?

[@secretivetantra4170]

Thank you!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

You're welcome.

[@zachmason3449]

Do you find that growing vanilla on coffee or cacao influences, the yield of the trellis tree?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Cacao does better as a trellis than coffee. I do not harvest coffee from the trees I use a s trellis. They have been repurposed as living supports.

[@zachmason3449]

Thank you. I love this channel.

[@matthewtucker8994]

Awesome 👍👍👍

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

We are curing the pods right now.

[@MariaDominguez-bl1ef]

Hi will a vanilla orchid cutting grow if it was cut for a few days left outside and then planted? I had one but didn’t have the medium to pot it in right away. So I clipped the end off right before I planted it, not sure if that would have made a difference either. Thanks 😊

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

If it was left in the shade probably. Mine never look any different on or off the vine. They are epiphytic not terrestrial.

[@greenacresKingFamilyAdventues]

We are in Ecuador how does that affected by it

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I've never been to Ecuador so I am not an authority on the country. The best answer I can give you is Ecuador includes the native range of the vanilla orchid so it is logical it would grow in certain areas of the country.

[@XoroksComment]

Are there areas where the pollinators have been introduced to solve the problems of pollination? Similar to the fig wasp in California?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

The little stingless bee that pollinates the vine refuses to live anywhere outside of South Mexico & Central America.

[@personperso9429]

Where on earth can I but a started vanilla plant though?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Not as difficult as you might think. When I ran nursery in the CA Bay Area we sold them as potted house plants. Several of the local growers had them. In Hawaii they are easy to find, just about anyone that sells orchids has some. If you live in the 46 states I can legally ship to, I could sell you one. Otherwise, go to a decent local nursery or two and have the folks in the houseplant dept check their growers lists. They can probably get you one.

[@obfuscateidentity2329]

thank you for that I had no idea vanilla was so hard to grow!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Not very difficult in Hawaii but the pollination in tedious.

[@latanyacarr411]

Hi! Very informative video! Thank you! Do you have a website where one could possibly buy a vanilla transplant? I’m in Virginia and would be interested in researching & implementing growing a small vanilla crop. Any tips or pointers either way? Thanks so much!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I don't list the vanilla on the website but you can contact about it by my email [e-mail]

[@NMW80]

What variety of vanilla orchid are they mate? I just bought a vanilla orchid yesty and it’s living in the house for now cos I don’t live in a tropical area. I am planning to move up north one day where it’s nice and warm though. Just wondering if I have the same variety as you do 🤔

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Almost all the Vanilla grown on Earth is obtained from pods of the Mexican species, flat-leaved vanilla (V. planifolia). Different areas apply different names to their products but it is mostly designating growing area rather than species.

[@Dog_gone_it]

I wonder if the vanilla stems that grow down to the ground and begin forming roots with the ground are seeking more nutrients as a backup? so when they are beginning to grow one would figure that they would seek optimal growing conditions before seeking to root.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I'll make a guess that they just grow in response to geotropism. Gravity causes them to grow down ward. I have noticed that once a root touched the earth it changes form and appears to become soil adapted. The issue with planting vanilla is roots and stems that form above the earth rot if they touch it. The ones that grow into earth survive. Whether they seek more nutrient or not, once they hit the ground they get some.

[@Dog_gone_it]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Learn something new everyday! i wonder if that changes the flavor by introducing other minerals into the flowers diet?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@Dog_gone_it Probably not much. Vanilla pretty much always tastes like vanilla. Perhaps the depth and intensity of the flavor can be effected.

[@Dog_gone_it]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 As you know, bees will pick up different flavors from the different flowers pollen in which they harvest for metamorphosing into honey. i especially like the coffee mono floral honey! but that asside; I wonder if vanilla can acquire different variations of flavor depending on the amount of phosphorous or nitrogen in which is applied to feed the plant? my bigger question then would be, would vanilla grown in different areas and climates of the island(or the world for that matter i.e.brazil) taste different or have different variations in flavor? that would make for an interesting debate! ALOHA!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@Dog_gone_it I understand what you are getting at. I just don't have an answer. Best guess is yield and pod size will increase, aroma might increase but the flavor of vanilla seems pretty constant.

[@mdgraller]

Not sure if you’re still responding, but this is one of the simplest and clearest informative videos on vanilla and figured I’d ask anyways. So, I have two cuttings and I accidentally potted them in a pretty soil-like orchid mix and the bottom of one stared to rot. To reset, can I just cut the bottom rot and… drape it in a tree I have? Or would you recommend a pot of bark and shade for a few weeks as though it was a fresh start?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Matt, yes still responding but sometimes I wonder why these days. Cut the rotted end off to clean tissue. Use a clean tool and torch or alcohol it first. I would put the cutting into coarse orchid bark with a bit of perlite and pot it until roots form. They may come from above the pot so don't worry if they do. I know people that do just lay them in trees. I like to push the potted plant next to the tree and let it climb. The ground end usually disappears and roots come down from above.

[@countrieboyz2009]

If you don't mind my asking, where about are you located?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Big Island Hawaii, Puna district, Mountain View, S. Kopua rd.

[@karunas3328]

what is the planting zone you are in ?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

11A

[@Pluscelamemechose]

We have bees galore in St. Croix. I'm hoping to grow some.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

The bee that pollinates vanilla is the Melipona bee. No other bee on earth can do this job and they only do about 20% of the work anyway. Even in central America where the bee lives they still hand pollinate to get a full crop.

[@Pluscelamemechose]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 thats fine. We have all manner of bees because of people bringing them, and storms. I'll be happy to help.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@Pluscelamemechose None of the other bees are of use with vanilla so a tooth pick will be needed.

[@Pluscelamemechose]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 those, I have. We also have a gazillion humming birds, and sugar birds and even the lizards are in the flowers. It will happen. My orange trees have gone through 2 cat 5 hurricanes, a few other major storms and about a dozen tropical storms. Its a perfect place.

[@Pluscelamemechose]

Thank you for the help.

[@gloriayoung6219]

Hi Bill I'm new here ran across your videos I'm planning on growing my own vanilla so my question is can all species be planted together?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

In short yes. Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla tahitiensis, and Vanilla pompona are the only three species used for seasoning. Vanilla planifolia accounts for most of the crop on earth. Vanilla pompona was once grown on Kauai but was superseded by the more productive vanilla planifolia. Since Vanilla must be hand pollinated there is littles chance of crossing species unless it was intentional. It wouldn't matter because we eat the seeds.

[@gloriayoung6219]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 oh great because I cant choose between the tahitiensis and the variagated planifolia so I decided I kinda wanted both mixed on a trellis I would be making myself...any tip that may help me?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@gloriayoung6219 If this is an ornamental garden project then the variegated is fine. If your issue is production the variegated plants contain benign viruses that limit the vigor. They remove chloroplasts that make sugars. There is no reason the vines can not be mixed. They are compatible.

[@gloriayoung6219]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 ok got it...thank you so much...looking forward to your next video

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@gloriayoung6219 Aloha, thanks for watching.

[@FololeNgata]

worth subscribing to your channel😊

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Thanks and welcome

[@walkertongdee]

I want to grow vanilla to use in my tea I have access to a plant here in Thailand, do I need to be an expert on this or how can I learn?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I believe you would be the best judge to answer that particular question. If you can learn to ride a bicycle or play a guitar you can probably learn to grow vanilla too.

[@pasangoonewardene2607]

Thankyou sooo much for sharing your knowledge.... I'm getting into vanilla planting as a hobby! And this video was very useful. Just a friendly question, is it okay if I plant vanilla on a tropical climate (it is dry season here) and is it ok if I use chicken manure as fertiliser?. Depending on the climate, how much time would it take for flower buds to appear ? . And do you have any advice on stopping snails ?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Your first question is confusing. Vanilla is always planted in a tropical climate. It is very frost sensitive. The second question, yes, you could use chicken manure but only as a tea. Vanilla is an epiphytic plant, it doesn't grow on the ground. Chicken manure is usually used on terrestrial plants by applying to the ground. Since vanilla doesn't grow on the ground you would have to make it liquid and spray it. In Hawaii, at 1600 feet elevation it takes us about 5 years to get flowers. The older the vines, the more they are turned to the sides the more they flower. Pruning the tips prior to flowering seems to build carbohydrate and cause more buds. Band the trellis or tree the vanilla is on with copper to exclude snails. Use snail baits at ground level several times each year to remove the pests.

[@cagla1932]

Thanks for information, can we buy vanilla plant or sapling from you.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I have cuttings for walk in traffic on the Big Island. It is possible to ship cuttings to 46 Mainland states. CA, AZ, TX and LA are prohibited.

[@NMW80]

Great video 👍

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Thank you. I'll have a new version soon. The vines are all in green flower bud at the moment.

[@NMW80]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 that’s awesome. I will be watching it. Appreciate any advice to grow these amazing orchids 😊

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@NMW80 Aloha.

[@ariasd2006]

This was great and went into so much depth! Do you offer growing classes? And do you let people tour your garden?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I used to do classes in California when I ran nursery in the Bay Area. When I retired I stopped teaching school. This video channel is how I handle dispensing information today. I do tours of the farm but check ahead to be sure I am available. I have a nursery here and sell alot of the plants I discuss.

[@kamelhetta]

Thanks for the video, very informative will you have any seeds for sale on your webshop?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla is not grown from seeds. The seed is small as dust and has to be grown under lab conditions in culture dishes. We grow vanilla by propagating cuttings.

[@frederickjohnh]

@greengardenguy1 Are there different cultivars of the Vanilla orchid? If so what one(s) do you have? Any ones better than the others to grow?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Since commercial vanilla is propagated vegetatively the only way new forms could arise is by somatic mutations. The seeds are the potion that is eaten so seed growing isn't used. With seeds like dust the germination must take place in flasks with agar. I have had this question several times and I can find no evidence that we have named cultivars of the plant. They may exist some place but as far as i can see on the Big Island vanilla is vanilla is vanilla.

[@frederickjohnh]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Thanks for the reply. The reason I asked is I saw a video on Vanilla production in Tahiti and I it they say they have two varieties "Tahiti" and "Haapape". kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5u5kIWMgbVmg9E

[@frederickjohnh]

​ @GreenGardenGuy1 I just dug a bit further into it and found that Wikipedia list an number of species or synonyms on the page for Vanilla. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_(genus) So now I am wondering which one(s) are around on The Big Island.

[@frederickjohnh]

After hunting through the species of Vanilla it looks like there are three that are actually used for vanilla production and one is a cross of one of the others and a different species. Vanilla planifolia (Flat-leaved vanilla, Tahitian vanilla, "West Indian vanilla") and Vanilla tahitensis (has been shown to be a cross between Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla odorata) and Vanilla pompona (Schiede - Pompona vanilla, Guadeloupe vanilla, "West Indian vanilla").

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@frederickjohnh Well, good luck with that. As far as I can see we have the single species in HI Vanilla Planifolia is the most common species of the vanilla orchid. It is the first species of vanilla orchid- the plant that all vanilla roots can be traced back to. The pods host vanilla caviar emitting a rich, familiar vanilla flavor and aroma. It is the more potent vanilla variety and easily infuses a deep, earthy, vanillin flavor into any dish. Vanilla Tahitensis is a very close cousin of Planifolia. It is named after the island upon which it’s commercial cultivation began, though its origin is debated among botanists and vanilla enthusiasts. Some claim it was intentional hybridization, others believe it was a natural evolution, and there are scientific research studies that suggest it was a bit of both-a natural hybridization between Vanilla Planifolia and Vanilla Odorata, which occurred in Maya cacao forests. Regardless of how Vanilla Tahitensis came to be, pastry chefs all over the world would be at a loss without it. It is prized for its subtle sweetness and unmatched floral properties. Vanilla Tahitensis is also more commonly found in fragrances, due to the floral aroma.

[@chiefmight142]

Do you have a website to purchase cuttings?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I never list these. Laws on shipping are too complicated. You have to ask. Where you live is the #1 issue. Use my email [e-mail]

[@shanecorning5222]

Hmmmm, NEAT candidate for it's on trellis, perhaps? Looks Easiest from cutting, though, huh? Odd plant that vanilla vine !!!! MAKES one wonder what they have cut down, and, trashed, in the Rain Forest. To make way for mud slides because they didn't plant cover crop as they went.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

A trellis is needed. The vine grows 6 feet in six months. I have re-purposed my coffee trees as living trellis. Growing the seeds is lab work using agar and flasks. It is seldom done, farming is by cuttings

[@ramonafrances4364]

Am I understanding correctly: You leave the the vanilla orchids in a pot beneath the tree until its air roots attach to the bark later sending new roots to the ground?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Yes, that's one way you can do it. My friend Tom Sharky just hangs the bare root vanilla cuttings in crotches of his trees with out pots. I think I get faster development with the container because i can feed the pot. If parts of the vanilla orchid that are developed above soil are placed in soil they generally rot. If the vine is allowed to grow air roots back to the soil they will modify to soil roots as they grow.

[@chamberlin9883]

i live in kentucky and was thinking about growing vanilla. what sort of climate is required? should i even try? i have sasafras trees on the property so haveing home grown vanilla for root beer would be great!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla is a tropical orchid. Kentucky is 4 to 5 climate zones too cold for the crop.

[@deanheineman4397]

How do I get a flower so I can self polinate

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

The vines make dozens of flowers every morning for about a month each year. The issue is getting the pollen to the ovary. We have no insects in Hawaii that can do this. It has to be done by human hands. We use a tooth pick to transfer the pollen in the open flowers. They are receptive for about 2 hours each day after dawn.

[@amandacattolica1302]

Can I use a banana plant as a support for vanilla, or is it too wet of a plant for it to be a companion plant?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla lives for years and has a permanent vine. Bananas are a lily and the stem only lives as long as it takes for the fruit to ripen then dies. Any tree or shrub that has only light shade will probably work for vanilla. Coffee and Cacao are often used. Citrus is too dark underneath.

[@amandacattolica1302]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 thank you so much!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

​Sure thing. Bill

[@markgriff9265]

Hi Bill, do you sell the vanilla seeds so others may grow them? Thanks.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

No I don't sell this seed. The main reasons why is we eat the seeds. I would have to trash out part of the crop to get seed. The seed is like dust and has to be grown under lab conditions in glass flasks with nutrient agar. It isn't a standard garden project. What I do sell is cuttings of the vines. They are legal in 46 states. I can't ship to CA, TX, AZ or LA.

[@leonardoalfonso7080]

Very interesting video. Do you think in the modern world with current food fads it would be difficult for a farmer in a average size farm like yours to grow industrial vanilla and make a profit? I often worry that if you're an average Joe who uses pesticides and fertilizers you'll have a hard time selling to vanilla processors.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Leo, Hard to say, I have never been the "Average Joe"! A man is smarter to raise organic vanilla if he is small scale because of niche. It isn't a heavy feeder nor does it have a lot of pests in Hawaii anyway. The simplest answer I can give you is a guy can do just about anything if you put yourself behind it. Vanilla does not take constant attention. The actually labor is compressed to a couple of months per year. The rest of the year a guy could play music in bars, trade stocks or repair tractors.

[@alyssamorales599]

Can I use egg shells and compost as food for it

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

That would be pretty tough to do. The plant grows in the air, not on the ground. Compost and egg shells would have to be converted to a tea and sprayed.

[@sallymcmurray949]

What type of environment do they grow best in

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Tropical with high rain fall and humidity. The plants are epiphytes and must receive enough rain to keep them watered while hanging on trees. They do pretty well here in Puna HI at 1600 feet. We get 150" of rain per year, average humidity is around 85%. The summer high temperature is around 89f, winter low around 50f. I don't think the vines would like it much hotter in summer but they would rather have winter lows about 10 degrees warmer.

[@S3v3n13tt3r5]

I bought a 1' cutting a year ago, and its about 5' now. Approximately how big/long does it get before flowering?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Climate and culture of the plant control timing to flower. Here at our house it takes 5 to 6 years for a vine to feel like producing flowers. The practice of pulling the vines down and bending or coiling them is what creates the flower. Clipping the tip at the right time also seems to build carbohydrate and encourage flowers. Vines left to grow vertical with no training could take a long time to flower.

[@S3v3n13tt3r5]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Thanks!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@S3v3n13tt3r5 Sure enough. Aloha

[@lemontea128]

Do you think this is suitable for nor cal gardeners either growing outside like you or in the home?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla is a tropical orchid. It would require a greenhouse for production in the entire state of California. Rod Mcllean orchids in San Francisco had a huge one in their greenhouses. Other than Hawaii the only places in the USA where it is a possible crop outdoors would be Puerto Rico, The USA Virgin Islands and maybe Dade County Florida and the Keys.

[@lemontea128]

GreenGardenGuy1 thank you! Hawaii is such a great place to grow tropical fruit n trees

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@lemontea128 We can't grow apples or cherries here worth a darn so we have to grow tropical plants.

[@Dance.4.M3]

i'm going to use your vid for a assignment if you don't mind, but anyways, this was really helpful! I learned a lot! (I'm doing vanilla as my topic if you cant tell) :)

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I have a couple others on the same subject. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baGzhqOkmZ1mhdU kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnLWlZqwZrBgrtE kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6ixh6Bqf7B3msU

[@NMW80]

What climate do you need to grow it? Does it have to be fairly warm climate yeah?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla is a tropical plant. It is happiest between 50 and 90 degrees.

[@NMW80]

GreenGardenGuy1 okay thanks mate. I live at bottom of Australia in one of the coldest towns near Melbourne in Victoria and I was thinking of getting a vanilla plant to put in a greenhouse outside or indoors. Do they grow by seed and do you ship or sell the seeds? Do you have any videos of how to grow it by seeds? Thanks for replying to 👍

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@NMW80 The part of vanilla that we eat is the seeds. The only reason a person would ever harvest seed is to do some breeding. The seeds are like dust and are started on agar in flasks under lab conditions. Commercial vanilla production is always done by cuttings. Sadly for me to ship live plants into Australia is not cost effective. Just the APHIS certification alone would be $65. Then you have the price of the plants and the shipping on top. You would save at least the phytosanitary certificate price by shopping locally. Some one in Australia must grow vanilla?

[@NMW80]

So wait do they get their water from the air? So a humid place is where they would grow best I guess 🤔

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Plants get different classes depending on the habitat they grow in. Vanilla is a class of orchid that is called epiphytic. This means it grows on trees. It is not a terrestrial plant, soil dwelling. Most of it's roots are adapted to aerial growth. Over time it does produce some soil roots that grow back to the earth.

[@karunas3328]

Can I grow in 7 planting zone?Thanks for reply

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Only with a heated greenhouse.

[@jerielbrown732]

Now i,m gonna cultivating it for beans

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

High value crop.

[@laurareid5936]

What humidity is there where you live? I'm struggling to keep my vanilla plant at 85%. Thanks

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Sounds about the same. The low days are around 60% most days are over 80% often it is over 90%. My guess is humidity isn't the trouble. These plants enjoy rest from hot afternoon sun. They are epiphytic not terrestrial. Their roots do not adapt to soil culture unless the plant it's self grows them to the earth. We spray liquid fertilizer on the vines for feeding.

[@Madmax714211]

Thanks, I learned something new today!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I do that every once in a while too!

[@ValsLife1]

I forgot to stop by and get Abiu this weekend! Oh well...guess I was unconsciously waiting for vanilla orchids to be available...

[@ValsLife1]

Do you have any mac nut trees?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@ValsLife1 I generally have vanilla in the nursery. I have some small macnuts.

[@ValsLife1]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 I'll try to remember to stop by after work today... I'll call first (if I can find your number).

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@ValsLife1 Yesterday was a bad day to find me. I went snorkeling at 2 Step and had my Taylor Guitar serviced in Kealakekua. I'll be here this evening if you drop in.

[@ValsLife1]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 I'll have to come back by. That Jamaican Lililoi you gave me...Oh my goodness it was amazing!!! Now I must have some! I'll just have them vine up an Ohio because I don't have any other place for vines right now. I MUST HAVE!!! Anyway, have a great day!

[@user-vp1ko5pf1b]

I am interested of growing high profit plant myself. I am also love ocean fishing. Is there a good spot in Puna for ocean fishing?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Puna is a tough place to fish. The water here is treacherous for boating and the shore high and rocky in most places. There are some good shore spots but fishing pressure is heavy and the fish get spooked. If you are the first one out you get the fish. Fishing the West side is much easier. Calmer water, softer shore breaks and better boating.

[@user-vp1ko5pf1b]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Thanks a bunch for the information on fishing Bill. Watching your videos will make my transition for my change of lifestyle easier. To me, to live in Hawaii is all about the weather, the weather, the weather. Everything is a bonus.

[@rebb4352]

Can this be grown in pots/raised beds near houston

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Vanilla is an epiphyte and requires no soil for growth. It is also a tropical plant with no tolerance to cold weather. In Houston I would recommend PVC or redwood trellis with coconut fiber in a heated greenhouse. Vanilla thrives between 50 and 90 degrees. I use containers with pine bark only because they are portable for the nursery. Once planted the connection to earth is limited.

[@kilipoheikekanilehua4049]

Hey Bill, it's almost May, when's the Vanilla polination vid?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

Sorry about that. Ellen does the pollination. The plants bloomed in April this year. She missed most of the flowers and I missed filming the few she did pollinate. I like to record everything that happens but sometimes it doesn't go that way.

[@kilipoheikekanilehua4049]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 no problem. I guess that means if our vanilla orchid doesn't have flowers its not going to? We got it last fall at Plant It...

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@kilipoheikekanilehua4049 It usually takes about 5 or 6 years for the orchid to flower in this environment.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I see dozens of flowers coming. Maybe late May.

[@fluteplayervictoria4100]

I wish I could grow this and grow a lot of vanilla.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

A few acres of it would yield a lot. Tropical conditions are required. Much of Puna Hawaii is suitable for cultivation. Shade cloth and trellises are most of what you need here. A stead hand and good eyes help. You have to hand pollinate the vines.

[@ron1313]

Great videos. Thanks. I want to run some quick numbers by you, because I heard an African vanilla bean farmer say the following.... " On 1 acer you can grow about 400 Vanilla bean plants, each one will produce 1 kilo the 1st year and maybe 2 kilos after 5 years" so the 1st year one can make about $240,000 on 1 acer? Does this seem realistic?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

If I start reading at "1 kilo the first year" I have to say it is B.S. I do not believe under any conditions a person can enduce vanilla to flower in one year. Five years more realistic to first harvest. If the farmer is the one that came up with $240,000 then that is more B.S. Vanilla prices are like the stock market. they are never the same from day to day. I don't track it much but in the past couple years it has been as high as $650 per kilo and as low as $250. The most current price I found was April. Anyway...You can't quote a value on a crop the flutuates wildly in price.

[@ron1313]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Thanks, yeah it seemed a little too good to be true. Your content is great BTW, I'm watching your video now on living in Hawaii. Looking to move from Crescent City, CA (Redwoods) to the big Island. I'll miss those redwoods.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@ron1313 I'll miss the redwoods too once the CA fires burn down the last big tree.

[@michaelreily5607]

Can these be grown on a hydroponic system?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I know a woman on Oahu that has tried. She didn't have much luck. The plant is an epiphyte. Hydroponics that used misters to dispense solution might work. Conventional hydroponics hasn't worked well from what I hear.

[@CristaVenn]

Which country are you in

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

USA

[@dayman888]

When this guy says "Rut" does he actually mean "Root"?

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

English gets different pronunciations in different parts of the country and the world. Rut is what deer do in the breeding season. Root is the lower part of a plant. I haven't discussed deer hunting so it must be root.

[@cs7717]

What is the difference, if any, between Vanilla planifolia Andrews and Vanilla planifolia? What species do you grow? Do you ever ship cuttings to the mainland? Thanks!

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

I have had questions about vanilla cultivars in the past. All research comes up flat. I can find no official standing of cultivars in vanilla. The crop is based on the species. My guess is some dude named Andrew put his name on a his vanilla. There are a couple of variegated, dwarf or golden forms out there but they are not used in pod production. I can ship vanilla plants to 46 states. I can not ship them to CA, AZ, TX & LA.

[@cs7717]

@@GreenGardenGuy1 Your planifolia is not on your website. Where can I find more info on pricing and purchasing it? Thanks.

[@GreenGardenGuy1]

@@cs7717 Since I can only ship plants legally to 46 states I took down the plant list because i had trouble with orders from the 4 states I can't ship to. I have vanilla orchids, cuttings are $10 each. I am prohibited from shipping to CA, AZ, TX & LA. Because of the need for inspections I put a minimum order of $100 on plant material