b l o g

a u g u s t  2 0 2 1

Light, thin and evenly spaced branches provide the vanilla with just the right amount of shade and sunlight

By Piero Bianchessi, Former Owner and Operator of Venui Vanilla

Goal  : to boost the flower induction by sap arrest

When : right before the expected dry season

Where : on vigorous healthy plants, with strong root systems (a minimum of 10 looping, everyone with healthy roots)

Tool : Bush ladder

FACTS : 

• (1) Most of the flowers in a vanilla plant naturally appear on a downward young vine
• (2) Hanging the vine and arresting the sap will help the plant to reach the flower induction, if the weather conditions are favourable

WARNING

Do not force (hang and tip) a plant with an inadequate root system

PROCESS :

• (1) Choose 4 or 5 big plump vines shooting up the support tree
• (2) Carefully detach the vines, and let them hang – without looping them under the mulch
• (3) Nip the end off the shooting vines about 15cm from the end

WARNING

1. Do not confuse hanging and tipping with looping and mulching
2. Hanging and tipping is a once-a-year activity to perform only when the dry season is expected
3. Looping and mulching is a recurring maintenance operation to perform every the shooting vines are long enough to go through the mulch at the bottom of the plant and shoot upward