LE QUOTIDIEN DU JARDIN, COMMENT CULTIVER UNE ORCHIDÉE VANILLE ET LA FAIRE PROSPÉRER (émission N°93)

NewsJardinTV, the channel dedicated 100% to plants, gardens, botany, and gardening, is honored and pleased to offer you this 93rd issue of its daily show: "Le Quotidien du Jardin." This program is available free of charge for 24 hours, after which it is made available exclusively to members of NewsJardinTV Le Club. Patrick Mioulane, editor-in-chief of NewsJardinTV, answers our subscriber François, who posted the following question on our YouTube channel: I took a cutting from a vanilla orchid and wanted to overwinter it in my veranda, where the temperature drops to 5°C when it's -5°C outside. Is that enough for this plant? First of all, you should know that you can watch a very interesting video on the NewsJardinTV YouTube channel that discusses the history of vanilla and the need to pollinate it manually in countries other than Mexico, its region of origin:    • VANILLE : UNE ORCHIDEE DONT IL FAUT POLLIN...   Vanilla planifolia is the most widely cultivated of the approximately 115 species in this genus of the Orchidaceae family. The planifolia species was described and classified in 1808 by the British botanist and illustrator Henry Cranke Andrews (1794-1830), but the plant's current name is attributed to his colleague and compatriot Benjamin Daydon Jackson (1846-1927). Among other works, he wrote the first volume of the famous "Index kewensis" between 1893 and 1895, which was the first work to record all the botanical names of seed plants. Vanilla planifolia is a climbing orchid that, in its native habitat, can form a 10- to 40-meter-long vine, clinging to trees with its aerial roots forming grips. The greenish or yellow flowers are gathered in small clusters on mature plants generally measuring 3 to 4 meters long. They begin to bloom late at night and often fade between 2 and 4 p.m. Although it grows quickly, even in greenhouses (on average 50 cm, but up to 1 meter per year), vanilla is quite difficult to flower outside of tropical countries due to its high light and humidity requirements. Vanilla must be exposed to full light (it needs 20,000 to 40,000 lux, lux measuring the luminous flux received by a unit area), which should be dimmed during the hottest hours to prevent leaf burn. A light green hue indicates good exposure. Vanilla is a so-called "hothouse" orchid. It requires 20 to 35°C (68 to 95°F) during its growth and a two-month dormant period (between 16 and 18°C) in winter. A difference of 3 to 5°C (3 to 4°F) between day and night promotes the formation of flower buds. Ideally, vanilla seeks a humidity level of 80 to 90%, which is almost impossible to achieve indoors. In a greenhouse, install a programmed automatic misting system that will spray fine droplets (or mist) several times a day on the roots and leaves. Good ventilation, but without drafts, is necessary to prevent the development of fungal diseases, which are favored by the presence of stagnant droplets. From March to October, you can give vanilla a special orchid fertilizer once a month. A fairly homebody that doesn't appreciate having its roots disturbed, vanilla doesn't need to be repotted every year, but only when its volume is out of balance with that of the pot or if you notice that the substrate is decomposing. Repot in the spring in a mixture of 2/3 orchid substrate (pine bark, polyurethane foam, and polystyrene beads) and 1/3 fibrous heather soil, or in a mixture of equal parts pozzolan and orchid substrate. You can add a little crushed horn, which will provide a good nutrient reserve. Water the plant with soft water once or twice a week, depending on the ambient temperature. Watering is best done in the morning so that the plant can properly utilize this water for its growth. The amount of water provided should be at least equal to the volume of the pot. Never allow water to stagnate under the pot. Thank you for watching this daily program. We hope you enjoyed this short video interlude. The entire NewsJardinTV team wishes you a wonderful day and will be back tomorrow at 7 p.m. for a new program: "LE QUOTIDIEN DU JARDIN." It's on NewsJardinTV and nowhere else! Tomorrow, Patrick will answer this question: For those who want to grow chayotes, Christophines, or even chouchous, you can find them for 2.50 per kg in Grand Frais stores. The Sainte Marthe farm sent me some last year for 8 euros each plus shipping...