morning cindi,
i had it sent in from thailand ...although someone told me someone had a clump...now that's right a "CLUMP" of them in tampa fl!! i would love to see that!!
i also got this very rare ginger...........doesn't look like much yet.......OK...........(don't say a word anyone about the davesgarden ginger caper) this is an extemely rare ginger one of only three that give actual fruit.....i didn't know what it was until a ginger grower just id it for me. a friend of mine, who has a rare tropical nursery insisted i took TWO...but i gave one to a friend that is a ginger freak....anyway...this is how it was described to me.
"VARIEGATED VANILLA ORCHID - VANILLA PLANIFOLIA VAR.
Vanilla planifolia VARIEGATA
RARE ** VARIEGATED VANILLA ORCHID – VANILLA PLANIFOLIA VAR. NATIVE TO MEXICO – WAS USED BY THE AZTECS. PRODUCES ONE OF THE WORLDS MOST EXPENSIVE SPICE ( NEXT TO SAFFRON & CARDAMOM) VANILLA ORCHID GROWN AS A VINE AND CAN REACH LENGHT OF 70-100FT. IN TROPICAL CLIMATES. IT CLINGS TO TREES. IN CULTIVATION IT IS MOSTLY GROWN ON POLE FOR SUPPORT. - THERE ARE AROUND 50 SPECIES OF VANILLA, BUT ONLY THREE ARE USED FOR FLAVORING. V. PLANIFOLIA , ALSO KNOWN AS V. FRAGRANS PRODUCES THE BEST FLAVOR. IT IS VERY EASY TO GROW- NEEDS VERY BRIGHT LIGHT ( BUT NO DIRECT SUN) TO BLOOM. NEEDS PLENTY OF WATER & LOVES HUMIDITY "....so i'm kinda excited!!
