Vanilla is actually an orchid-like plant of the Vanilla genus. This plant is usually grown in Hawaii, Tahiti, Mexico, Madagascar, Indonesia and other tropical areas. Growing vanilla at home takes time and effort, but the results are worth the smell and deliciousness of the vanilla you'll be harvesting.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Creating the Right Environment
Step 1. Build a greenhouse if you don't live in a tropical climate
Vanilla requires a tropical environment, which requires sunlight, heat, space, and humidity for the plant to thrive. Choose a spot that gets morning sun and build your own greenhouse or buy a kit. Cover the greenhouse with ultraviolet stabilized polyethylene or fiberglass, or add additional glass panels.
If you live in Indonesia, which has a tropical climate, you can grow vanilla outdoors. Check the ambient temperature and humidity to see if the conditions are suitable for vanilla plants
Step 2. Keep the temperature above 18 °C
Vanilla will thrive in temperatures of 27-29 °C during the day, or 18-24 °C at night. To lower the temperature inside the greenhouse, open the vents or turn on the fan. If you want to increase the temperature in the greenhouse, install a heat lamp or heating device.
Step 3. Keep the humidity at 85%
Vanilla requires a high level of humidity to grow well. You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity in the greenhouse or planting site. If it is below 85%, install a humidifier in the planting area. If the humidity is more than 85%, use a dehumidifier to lower the humidity.
Part 2 of 5: Planting Vanilla Cuttings
Step 1. Purchase vanilla cuttings 40-50 centimeters long
If there are no farm shops selling vanilla cuttings (stem pieces) in your area, purchase them online. For best results, use cuttings 40–50 centimeters long. It's a good idea to buy several cuttings just in case any cuttings don't grow.
- Cuttings are usually taken from mature plants that are at least 6 meters long.
- If you are not sure, ask the seller which part is the shoot and the base of the cutting. The top of the cuttings is where the plant grows upwards. The leaves will droop toward the bottom of the cutting.
Step 2. Fill a small pot with a mixture of spruce bark with peat moss
Spruce bark and peat moss will create a well-draining planting medium. Alternatively, you can use a growing medium designed for orchids. Remember, orchids will grow better in small pots than if planted in large pots or directly in the ground.
You can get all of these ingredients at gardening or home improvement stores
Step 3. Do a test to find out if the growing media has a neutral pH
Vanilla will thrive in growing media with a neutral pH of 6.6 to 7.5. You can test your soil's pH using a factory-made test kit or test paper, all of which can be found at gardening stores or the internet. If you want to adjust the pH of the soil, add agricultural lime to increase the alkalinity (become more alkaline), or add organic matter (such as peat moss) to increase the acidity level.
Step 4. Plant the vanilla cuttings in the pot
Plant 2 internodes (or nodes) at the bottom of the plant (about 2.5 cm) into the planting medium. Compact the planting medium by hand so that the cuttings can stick firmly.
Step 5. Water the vanilla lightly with distilled water after you plant it
Do not let the planting medium soaking wet because it can make the roots rot. Lightly water the vanilla (not too much), just to keep the growing medium moist. Always use distilled water because the mineral content in tap water is not good for plants.
Part 3 of 5: Caring for Vanilla
Step 1. Place the pot in an area that does not get direct sunlight for 6 hours a day
Vanilla can burn if placed directly in the sun. To prevent this from happening, choose an area that is sunny but does not get direct sunlight. For an ideal location, you can install a paranet-like shade with loose webbing in a place that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Step 2. Place a vine next to the vanilla to allow the plant to propagate
Vanilla is a vine and climbs so it needs a rail to support it. Alternatively, you can place the pot near a tree or pole so the plants can creep up and climb over it. Vanilla must be trained to grow upwards. So you'll need to gently tie the plant to a vine, pole, or tree using plant pins or rope.
You can buy plant clippers or rope online or at a farm store
Step 3. Wait for the planting medium to dry before you water or re-spray it every day
Wait for the top of the substrate (approximately 5–8 cm deep) to dry before you water it again. After watering, the planting medium should be moist, but not muddy. Alternatively, you can spray the vanilla daily with distilled water using a spray bottle. Spray water lightly on the soil, stems, and leaves.
Step 4. Apply liquid fertilizer to plants that are still “weak” every week
In order for vanilla to flower and produce pods, fertilize regularly. Fertilization on plants that are still weak every week is done by dissolving the fertilizer (about half the recommended dose) and giving it to the plants every 7 days. When the plant is actively growing, use a fertilizer with a high nitrogen (30-10-10 ratio). If the vanilla is not actively growing, use a balanced fertilizer in a ratio of 10-10-10 (these are the numbers for nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium).
Step 5. Allow the vanilla to grow and become a mature plant for 2-7 years
As the plant grows, aerial roots (roots that grow above the ground) will attach to the support and some will extend and reach the ground. Vanilla takes 2-7 years to get big enough to produce flowers as it must reach a length of about 6 to 12 meters. However, don't despair because the time and effort you put in will be worth it!
During this growing time, water and fertilize the vanilla as previously described
Part 4 of 5: Pollinating Flowers
Step 1. Dust off the vanilla when the flowers have appeared
Vanilla only blooms for 6 weeks of the year. Plus, the flowers will only last for 1 day! This means that you should pay close attention to the plant, checking it daily for flowers. Once the flowers are out, you'll need to pollinate them yourself by hand so they can turn into vanilla seeds.
Step 2. Press the anther up and apply the pollen to the anther mound
The best time to pollinate is early in the morning, around 11. Press the pollen outward and hold it with your right thumb and forefinger. Use your middle finger to press the anther back so that it will open a comb underneath, which acts as a shield. Place the pollen on the mound. Push the mound back into place with your left hand and pull the lid back down. Repeat this process on all flowers.
- The sap that comes out of the roots and flowers of vanilla can irritate the skin. Wear gloves and be careful when changing pots or pollinating plants.
- Try asking orchid growers in your area to hand pollinate the plants the first time the vanilla blooms. This is a very complicated process.
Step 3. Look for stems that are drooping downwards as this is a sign that pollination was successful
Check the vanilla the day after you pollinate. The flowers will not fall, but will turn withered and dark brown. If the stems start to elongate and don't point upwards, it means the flowers have been pollinated successfully. If nothing changes, you may need to re-pollinate.
Part 5 of 5: Harvesting Vanilla
Step 1. Pick the vanilla pods when they start to turn yellow at the bottom
The pods will emerge after 2 months of pollination, but take 6 to 9 months to mature. During this time, treat the vanilla plant as usual. Next, when the pods begin to turn yellow (usually green), carefully remove the pods from the plant.
Step 2. Blanch the vanilla pods for about 2 to 5 minutes in water at 70 °C
Heat a pot of water to 70 °C. Soak the vanilla pods for 2 to 5 minutes, then carefully remove them. This will kill germs and bacteria, as well as prepare the pods for further processing.
Step 3. Make the vanilla pods "sweaty" by placing them in a box covered with a blanket for 36-48 hours
After blanching, transfer the vanilla pods to a box lined with a blanket. Ideal materials are bamboo squares and wool blankets, but you can use any material available. Let the pods "sweat" in blankets and boxes for 36 to 48 hours before you remove them.
The pods will release water because they are still hot, and this will help dry them out
Step 4. Dry the pods in the sun and let them "sweat" alternately for 7 to 14 days
Spread the pods on a tray and place them in direct sunlight for 3 hours daily. Next, wrap the pods in a blanket or cloth, and put them in a box to let them "sweat" overnight. Repeat this drying and draining process daily until the pods turn dark brown.
Step 5. Allow the pods to dry for 8 to 20 days at 35°C and 70% humidity
To make the pods even more dry, you'll need to allow them to dry completely on their own. Hang or spread the pods on a tray in the drying chamber. For best results, keep the room temperature at 35°C and humidity 70%. Vanilla pods are completely dry if they are soft, coarse, and have many longitudinal wrinkles.
