Receiving Your Vanilla Cutting
If you ordered a vanilla cutting from us, one of the most exciting days is when it finally arrives. Since shipping our first batch, we have received several emails asking, "What now?" This summary will help you get started.
Here's a photo sent to us of our Hawaiian cuttings on receipt:
Your first step is to take the vine(s) out of the box. Vanilla vine cuttings are very durable and can be used even if they have been sitting for several months. Inspect your vines for a few of the following characteristics:
- Vine Color - The vine should be green and firm. You might notice that the ends have hardened from where they were clipped, and that is OK. Give both ends a fresh clip as you begin. If you notice that there is any black on the tips of the vines the black tip should be cut away. If black is in the middle of the vine, it may need to be replaced. If you purchased from VanillaPura, simply email us at support@vanillapura.com and we'll send a replacement to you for free. The vine is the most important part of the cutting. Leaves and long areal roots can be damaged in transit when dealing with cuttings, but the vine itself is what matters most. The leaves and roots need sunshine, water and heat - all of which are absent during transport. A healthy vine will grow new leaves and roots.
- Leaf Color - the leaves should be green but you may see some yellowing or brown spots on the leaves. Sometimes they will fully wilt away during transport in the absence of heat, moisture and sunshine. Usually the yellowing is caused by stress from its long journey from the farm to your home. In colder months you might see a little more than in warmer months. If you do observe discoloring - it's OK and the cutting is still healthy, but is anxious to get into its new home. Remember, the vine is the most important part. The leaves might turn yellow or have spots on parts after transport - all of which can be trimmed away. We recommend simply cutting away any wilted, brown, black or yellow parts of the leaf or the entire leaf if necessary. It's OK. New leaves will grow on a healthy vine.
- You will notice your cutting may have long string-like growths. The string-like growths on the vanilla vine are the "areal roots" that typically grow on the opposite side of the leaf. These roots help the vine draw nutrients from the air and moisture and will lead the vine on its climb upwards.
- Over time you will also see the development of terrestrial roots. These roots will come from the base of the cutting and will grow into the soil where they are resting over time. Most new cuttings will not have terrestrial roots since they come from a single long vine that has been cut into multiple pieces. Unlike other plants, you don't want to bury the base in wet soil and fertilizer. This could oversaturate and ruin the base. Instead, wait for the terrestrial roots to sprout (you will see them) and then keep them close to the soil and they will find their way down.
- Which way is up? The leaves naturally bend one way. When you attach your vine to its post, the leaves should naturally bend down. Now, over time it doesn't really matter as your vine will grow and bend in multiple directions so down will be up and up will be down. But when you have just one or two leaves, situating the vine so the leaves naturally fall towards the ground as they want is a good way to begin.
After inspection, it's time to get your orchid cutting into its new home. Follow the instructions here on how to successfully plant it. And then visit our Orchid Growing Guide Center for troubleshooting as well as other tips and tricks as you go through the process of growing your orchid.
If you experience any significant abnormalities on receipt of your clipping, feel free to take a picture and post it in our orchid growing Facebook group to get expert advise from orchid growers around the world 24/7. And if your clipping is damaged in any significant way for any reason at all, you can email us a picture at support@vanillapura.com and we will gladly ship a replacement clipping to you, as we guarantee all of our clippings for 30 days after receipt, no questions asked.
