I had an interesting question the other day. Someone wrote in and asked where she could buy a vanilla bean tree.

This is not as unusual a question as it first seems. A lot of people, especially those new to the tropics, aren’t aware that the vanilla bean is actually an orchid seed pod. Vanilla orchids are one of only a few orchids that produce something recognized as edible.

There is an orchid tea, an orchid beverage and even an orchid ice cream (not the vanilla kind, this one is cold but it doesn’t melt). But for most of us, the vanilla orchid is "numero uno." Ice cream, cakes, candles, frosting, deodorizer, burn relief, dietary aid, and insect repellent are all part of vanilla’s list of uses.

But let’s get back to the basics. The vanilla orchid (Vanilla planifolia), is a species in Costa Rica, a terrestrial vining orchid native to Mexico, Central America and parts of the Caribbean and South America.

The plant can grow to over 3 meters in length. It climbs by clinging with fleshy roots and, once started, will head straight up the tree. To keep the flowers accessible for pollination, the vines can be trellised or grown on short posts.
 

Accessible for pollination? In the wild, only about 1% of the orchid flowers are pollinated and produce a pod, so hand pollination is necessary if you want to have vanilla of your own.


The flowers are actually self-fertile, but the pollen still needs to be transferred from the anther to the stigma somehow, so assistance is required. Vigilance is also required as the flowers only last one day - miss the pollination date and the flower will die.
 

I have found vanilla orchids remarkably easy to grow from cuttings, although patience is required. My first vanilla orchid cutting came from a friend who told me to lay it in the shade with one end exposed, cover it with leaves and detritus and wait. I waited.

It took about six months before I noticed that there was growth, although it is possible that I missed something, as the cuttings in the greenhouse started to grow in a month or so. The best environment is “warm and moist.” Maybe that’s what I have in the greenhouse.

There have been wars over spices. Pepper used to be literally worth its weight in gold. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger - if you controlled the spice trade, you didn’t want anyone to interfere. Now there is a war over vanilla occurring in Madagascar.


According to the BBC, it is a war waged against vanilla farmers by small gangs who steal the vanilla crop after it has been harvested. Small gangs, however, have bigger backers, says the UK’s Guardian, including those in government.

As for me, I am looking forward to my own vanilla crop. The vines take about a year to produce, so it’s possible I missed the flowering date already. There’s always next time.