Learn the delicate art of orchid growing on this week's episode of We Dig Plants. Alice Marcus Krieg and Carmen Devito call up orchid expert Dave Horak of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Greater New York Orchid Society. Learn about the origins of the Greater New York Orchid Society, and why public perceptions of the plant have changed over the years. Hear why orchids are able to grow in most climates! How have orchid prices and overexposure popularized different varieties and species of the plant? What are some of Dave's favorite places to check out and purchase orchids? Find out on today's We Dig Plants! This episode has been sponsored by Fairway Market.

"On average, more than one orchid species is discovered everyday. It's staggering how many new species keep coming to light out in the wild as new areas are opened up." [10:50]

-- Dave Horak on We Dig Plants

This week on Why We Cook Erica comes to realize that sometimes being vanilla isn't all that bad, especially if your a vanilla bean. Learn about vanilla and the truth behind what 'natural flavoring' really means (Hint: It has something to do with beavers). Ever wonder why you can't use vanilla extract in the United Arab Emirates? Tune in and find our on this weeks Why We Cook. This episode is sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

This week's episode of We Dig Plants sees Camen DeVito and Alice Marcus Krieg sitting down with Paul Harwood of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to discuss the purpose and history of herbariums and explore the roots of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and other educational Brooklyn institutions. Later in the show, Steve Glenn explains what's behind the NY Metropolitan Flora Project and what the future holds for botanical research. This episode was sponsored by Whole Foods Market.