Description

Vanilla × tahitensis is one of the most sought after vanilla species. Recent studies by UF show that it produces the highest vanillin content compared to several other commercially grown cultivars. Curiously most of the Madagascar vanilla is in fact V. × tahitensis. Just as with wines, the ‘Denomination of Origin’ has been used to market this crop from Madagascar.

Vanilla × tahitensis was first described in the Society Islands (Polynesia), where it was found growing wild after escaping cultivation. The Society Islands belong to what is now known as French Polynesia which includes Tahiti, hence the reference ‘tahitensis’ in the epithet. Many decades after its description botanists found out that they were dealing with an interspecific hybrid of V. planifolia and V. odorata that originated in Measoamerica and was brought to the Pacific islands during colonial times on one of the many voyages of the conquistadores.

V. × tahitensis has hybrid vigor and grows somewhat faster than other species. Its leaves are narrow and long and the vine is a an off shade of light green. The flowers are smaller and lighter colored than those of V. planifolia.

Vanilla orchids can be grown in ground or in a container with a trellis or support to grow on. They are cold sensitive and require protection in USDA zones 9 and under. To root the cutting you can place it in a 4-5″ tall narrow pot with a well draining mix. E.g. seed starting mix, sifted compost+sand+pine shavings. You have to ensure at least one node is under the soil line. Cuttings root in 2-4 weeks depending on temperature, time of the year and moisture. The mix should remain moist at all times but not soggy. Some vanilla plants can grow 20ft or more per year.

Vanilla is a heavy feeder, it responds especially well to abundant organic matter. In agroforestry settings live posts of nitrogen fixers are used as supports for vanilla to grow and be trained on. The canopy of the live posts is continuously chopped to feed the system with organic matter. Vanilla orchids require shade in the 30-50% range, bright indirect light is ideal. Another trellis system could be a cedar post wrapped with burlap.

1 cutting (3-4 nodes) from a mature already flowering vine.