Kerala Spices
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Vanilla
-The great smelling
liquid
Natural vanillin is obtained from the cured
pods (fruits) of the vanilla plant Vanilla planifolia (Family: Orchidaceae).
Vanilla is a perennial climbing orchid with sessile leaves and succulent
green stems, producing aerial roots (velamen roots) at the nodes.
The important vanilla growing countries are Madagascar, Indonesia,
Mexico, Comoro and Reunion. Indonesia is the largest producer of
vanilla in the world. Vanilla is a native of Mexico and was introduced
to India as early as 1835. The estimated area under vanilla in India
is about 1000 hectares with a production of 6-8 tonnes (1999-2000).
Karnataka has the largest area under vanilla in the country.
Natural vanillin is obtained from the cured pods (fruits) of the
vanilla plant Vanilla planifolia (Family: Orchidaceae). Vanilla
is a perennial climbing orchid with sessile leaves and succulent
green stems, producing aerial roots (velamen roots) at the nodes.
The important vanilla growing countries are Madagascar, Indonesia,
Mexico, Comoro and Reunion. Indonesia is the largest producer of
vanilla in the world. Vanilla is a native of Mexico and was introduced
to India as early as 1835. The estimated area under vanilla in India
is about 1000 hectares with a production of 6-8 tonnes (1999-2000).
Karnataka has the largest area under vanilla in the country.
There are three important cultivated species of vanilla namely,
Vanilla planifolia (Mexican vanilla), V. pompona (West Indian vanilla),
and V. tahitensis (Tahitian vanilla). V. planifolia is predominantly
cultivated for production of vanillin. V. tahitensis and V. pompona
also yield
vanillin, apart from V. planifolia, but of inferior quality.
Climate and soil
Vanilla is adapted to a wide range of soil types rich in humus and
having good drainage. It thrives well in humid tropical climate
with an annual rainfall of 200-300 cm from sea level to 1500 m above
sea level. A warm humid climate with temperature ranging from 21
to 32°C is ideal for the plant. The rainfall should be well
distributed for a period of 9 months and there should be a dry period
of 3 months for flowering. In India, parts of Kerala, Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu, north eastern region and Andaman and Nicobar islands
are suitable for vanilla cultivation. Clayey soils and water logged
areas are not suitable for the plant.
Propagation
Vanilla is usually propagated by stem cuttings. Cuttings of 60-120
cm long can be selected as planting material for direct planting
in the field. Cuttings less than 60 cm should not be used directly
for planting. Such cuttings have to be rooted and raised in the
nursery before planting. The stem cuttings after collection should
be washed thoroughly and dipped in Bordeaux mixture 1% or copper
oxychloride 0.2% for killing pathogenic fungi, if any. Then the
cuttings are stored in a cool shaded place for 2-3 days for partial
loss of moisture, a process which enhances rooting. The cuttings
can also be stored up to 10 days if required. Plants raised from
mature lengthy cuttings flower early. Tissue cultured plantlets
can also be utilized for planting. However, sufficiently grown up
plantlets should be used.
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