Due to its aerial roots, it attaches itself like ivy to trees. For the culture of vanilla the selection of foster trees such as false coffee, pine and piti is important. These foster trees have straight trunks with few branches and thin bark to facilitate to the liana.
Artificial insemination is therefore necessary.
Admiral Ferdinand-Alphonse Hamelin has introduced the first vanilla plants in 1848 and efficient cultures emerged in 1880. For the first time after 3 years, vanilla bears fruits and then for up to 40 consecutive years. Its fruit called been is actually a capsule for botanists. Length From 10 to 12 cm for the Tahitian and 13 to 20 cm for the Mexican vanilla. Usage Very strong in aroma, it is used in a good number of pastries, chocolate, cooking, cocktails, cr mes, custards Put it into sugar, ground coffee or into rum.