Vanilla Trivia

Did you know that the vanilla we use in cooking actually comes from the vanilla beans of the Vanilla Orchid? This orchid can be grown on trees (it grows in all directions like a vine) or in baskets. If grown on a tree it will need to be protected in the cold weather with a blanket. Because we don't have the actual insect that will pollinate the orchid for the vanilla production you will have to pollinate them by hand (if you want to produce the beans). I am growing two different types of these orchids on two different trees in our yard and will keep you posted as to my success.