Vanilla Planifolia Plant
Vanilla Planifololia (Vanilla planifolia)
The world's most popular flavour is also one of the most expensive. Second only to saffron, vanilla is the most valuable edible on Earth.
According to Totonac mythology, the vanilla orchid was born when a princess, forbidden by her father from marrying a mortal, fled to the forest with her lover. The lovers were captured and beheaded. Where their blood touched the ground, the strong vine and delicate orchid grew.
Botanically, vanilla is considered "semi-epiphytic." This means gardeners can plant it in the ground or grow it as an epiphyte, an air plant. The vine is perennial and can reach a length of over 200 feet. Natural vanilla extract comes from the seed pods of the orchid. These pods are the "vanilla beans."
Plant Care
- Soil: Prefers a well-draining, rich organic mix specifically formulated for orchids.
- Watering: Keep evenly moist but not saturated. High humidity is essential, around 80%.
- Temperature: Thrives in warm conditions, ideally between 20°C and 30°C.
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight is best. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
- Fertilising: Use a balanced, slow-release orchid fertilizer like 20-20-20, diluted to half strength, applied every fourth watering.
- Pruning: Prune to manage size and remove any dead or diseased sections. Support with trellises as it climbs.
- Mulching: Typically not necessary in pot culture but ensure good air circulation around the roots.
- Pest Control: Watch for spider mites and scale insects. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if necessary.
- Flowering and Fruiting: Flowers need to be hand-pollinated to produce vanilla pods.
- Flowering occurs when the vine is mature, which can take several years.
- Potting: Grow in a large hanging basket or pot with adequate drainage and air circulation.
- Feeding Regime: Regular feeding during the growing season supports growth and pod development.
We ship our plants and garden supplies throughout New Zealand. Due to the increased costs of shipping and packaging, we now apply a minimal delivery charge. After offering free shipping for three consecutive years, we find it necessary to adjust this policy to align with current market conditions. However, we have lowered our prices to help offset this change.
Please note, we do not ship plants or garden supplies internationally from New Zealand. We do export plants and tissue culture materials from our overseas nursery, which requires a minimum order. Please contact us at hello@exoticanz.com to discuss your specific requirements.
Shipping (per plant)
Auckland & Northland: $20
Rest of North Island: $25
South Island: $35
Rural Address: Additional $5
Shipping Garden Supplies
Auckland & Northland: $10
Rest of North Island: $15
South Island: $20
Rural Address: Additional $5
Delivery
- Our plants are available for shipment throughout the year, depending on stock levels. Typical delivery times range from 5 to 7 business days, although they can take up to 10 business days depending on the destination.
- We take extra care in packaging; most of our plants are secured in bespoke inserts and shipped in individual boxes to ensure they arrive undamaged.
- Deliveries are scheduled once a week, typically on Monday. If you place your order over the weekend, we aim to dispatch your plants on the following Monday. This scheduling allows our team to prepare your order thoroughly and ensures the courier has sufficient time to deliver your plants safely, avoiding any unnecessary delays over the weekend.
- All orders are shipped via courier track and trace service (not signature required)
- We cannot deliver to PO Box addresses.
- If you have a rural address, please contact us beforehand to discuss the best delivery options and avoid any potential issues.
Additional Delivery Information
- We dispatch our plants year-round, as most are shipped with soil. During the winter months, we closely monitor weather conditions and may temporarily delay shipments if the weather is particularly severe. Our packing process includes adding insulation when necessary to protect the plants against temperature extremes.
- In summer, we ensure that plants are thoroughly watered before they leave our nursery. Occasionally, we may need to ship plants bare-rooted, particularly when they cannot be comfortably re-potted into smaller packaging for shipping. We will always discuss this with you in advance if your plant needs to be shipped in this manner.
- It's important to note that shipping can be a stressful experience for plants, often due to spending several days in a dark, confined space. While most plants withstand this with little to no stress, some may experience leaf drop. However, they generally recover quickly with some additional care, including proper watering and gradual reintroduction to light after arrival.
