vanilla fever

[theloyalplum]

Tahitian Vanilla or Vanilla tahitensis is quite different from normal vanilla. What you get from planifolia is normal vanilla you get at a super market. Tahitian offers a more floral and light flavor and less of the standard vanilla flavor that comes from vanillin; tahitensis has a lower natural concentration of it. If you plan on baking with it, planifolia would be better, but if you're using it in things like creams, custards or other uncooked foods then use tahitensis. I personally like tahitensis. It just smells so good.

[Plodde]

get them all!

[disalover]

Just wish I could get even more species

[lepetitmartien]

The best are planifolia and x tahitensis, though the peculiar flavour of x tahitensis is limited to those growing in French Polynesia (yeah, we are lucky

pompona was used into pharmacy and industry and has more coumarine in its composition. It was interesting because there was huge capsules. It's main asset now are its flowers.

odorata is of the same league as planifolia and x tahitensis, though not commercially cultivated.

[Pat'sCatt's]

Originally Posted by lepetitmartien

The best are planifolia and x tahitensis, though the peculiar flavour of x tahitensis is limited to those growing in French Polynesia (yeah, we are lucky

pompona was used into pharmacy and industry and has more coumarine in its composition. It was interesting because there was huge capsules. It's main asset now are its flowers.

odorata is of the same league as planifolia and x tahitensis, though not commercially cultivated.

Hi lepetitmartien,

I have a madagascariensis, any advise on growing it would be welcome! As for now it is a green stick in a pot with some arial roots, and it doesn't seem to do a lot except being a green stick!

[disalover]

The madagascariensis looks very similar to vanilla roscheri. The flowers and the leafless stems.

[lepetitmartien]

I have rosherii for a few months, and know only madagascarensis from their plants at Paris Serres d'Auteuil and MNHN collections in glasshouses.

Vanilla with leaves tend to grow as soon as their conditions are met. And the closer to perfection the more. All the aphyll I have are a bit more difficult and sensible in the roots I think. And they grow by spurts. One day, I mark there's a bit more, and 2 days later, a longer bit, then nothing. But I can't be definitive as those are not in the best place for vanilla anyway, I'll see later in the year after the changes I'm planning.

madagascarensis has a large trunk, so won't be as accommodating as others in the bending department… Give it light and warm, and water regularly if in growth and it should do fine. But be careful with roots and have regular drier moments.

[disalover]

I have got the plants sizes, all are about 30-50cm cuttings that have rooted well and come in pots.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Thank you all for the info. Very interesting. Good luck with them all and keep us posted on there progress. and many pictures please?

[disalover]

Finally got the plants. They are all so 50-60 cm I will post pictures as soon as I get home.