Larry,

My understanding is that vanilla needs to climb to the highest point
available, then start back down before it feels ready to bloom.

How in the world are you caring for a plant that big???

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"Larry" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

I have a fantastically growing vanilla (I assume Vanilla planifolia but I
cannot be sure) that started out as a small, 12 inch piece and is now well
over 30 feet total length, including many branches off branches, etc. It
has numerous aerial roots coming off the nodes opposite leaves as
expected.

The plant was purchased an at orchid show here in Jacksonville, FL
probably ~3 yr ago. It is in a pot (presently indoors until it stays warm
outside at night), in african violet potting soil mixed with some perlite
(this is what the grower told me to use when I bought it. I do not know if
it is optimal, and I did not know any better at the time; plus, it has
grown so well I did not want to change it, i.e., I did not want to fix
anything that was not broken).

I was wondering if there is something I can do to get it to flower. At
http://clanorchids.com/culture/vanilla.html I read that the vines
"...should be tip pruned to induce flowering". Any suggestions on exactly
how to do this properly?

Any other comments or suggestions?

TIA.

Larry