Vanilla Cultivation

In commercial vanilla beans/pods growing, new plants are propagated by stem cuttings from vigorous plants in the field. Cuttings are taken from anywhere along the stem of a producing plant, in optimum lengths of no less than 30cm.

When planting the vanilla beans cuttings, at least two nodes are required above ground. The new vines are tied to the support until the first strong adventitious roots appear and take a strong hold. The first two leaves of the stem are removed and the cutting is planted into a layer of soil, mulch and organic matter. Cuttings can be started in nursery beds if necessary and transplanted into the field when convenient.

Vanilla beans/pods vines are grown on established trees, to ensure support and filtered sun. The ideal supporting tree species grows quickly, has a low branching habit and is flexible in high winds. The Australian native She oak, Casuarina equisetifolia is often used and in some countries maize or banana crops are planted in conjunction with vanilla to provide lateral shade in the early stages of growth.

If wooden trellises are used for vertical support, it is necessary to construct shade protection. Cuttings are planted at three metre spacings in rows that are also three metres apart. In plantations, known as vanillaries, vanilla begins to produce flowers at approximately two to three years. Plants reach maturity at seven or eight years.

Vanilla beans Stem tops are cut about six months before fruiting season to encourage an increase in the number of inflorescences. Only flowers on the lower side of the raceme are pollinated so that following fruit may hang down, producing a long straight bean.

Hand pollination is carried out daily until the number of successfully pollinated flowers is reached on each plant. Successfully pollinated flowers will cling to the rachis of the inflorescence for several days and those that have not been successfully pollinated will fall within eight hours of opening. Consequently, the number of beans expected on each vine can be carefully monitored.

Nine months passes between flowering and harvesting. When the beans are fully developed and beginning to ripen - the tips begin to turn yellow – they are picked.

• Vanilla Beans/Pods are picked with or without a knife
• Vanilla Beans Approx. six kilograms of green pods produce one kilogram of cured beans.

After fruiting the old stems are pruned away. Yields are variable, however a successful plantation or vanillary can yield over 1000 kilograms of cured beans per hectare annually.

Planting instructions for vanilla cuttings

• Fully immerse cutting in water for 10 minutes to re-hydrate.
• Take out and then sit ends in water for 3-5days before planting.
• Lay 2 bottom nodes horizontal in the pot or in soil.
• Cover 2 bottom nodes with 2cm of potting mix.
• Secure rest of cutting to a stake or trellis in the up right position.
• Water well and keep moist.
• Mulch the plant regularly to retain moisture and don't allow it to dry out.
• Keep in warm location for faster growth.
• Requires 50% shade.
• Ideal conditions of temperature and moisture will produce flowers next spring (9-12months).
• When flowers are successfully pollinated they will produce vanilla beans which can be picked in 9 months from pollination.
• Proper curing to obtain a full aromatic bean will take a further 6 months.

Pricing of Vanilla Products





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