Vanilla pompona

Antilles Vanilla

Rare

Vanillon, vanille banane, Antilles vanilla, …

Family

ORCHIDACEAE

Origin

Tropical America

Description

This evergreen vine has vigorous stems, succulent leaves to 20 cm long distributed singularly and alternately along its length, with aerial roots from the nodes opposite the leaves.

The vines look like they are made out of jade, beautiful succulent green. 

The fruit is thin and pod like, from 15 to 30cm

While hand pollination can produce pods, we primarily offer this as a beautiful and pretty rugged ornamental.

Vanilla Planifolia, the main species of commerce, has a reputation for flowering less easily than V. Pompona, and smaller.

Pods look much like small bananas.

Habitat

Tropical rainforest

Propagation

Cuts

Culture and care

Vanilla likes 30-70oF nights, 80-90oF days, water, spray and feed frequently, the good exposure is direct morning sun until noon and bright shade after noon.

Average growth rate is 5 to 7 feet a year, so substantial support as the vine grows upwards on poles, trees, etc. using its aerial roots. 

Under natural conditions, Vanilla Planifolia climbs, covers its support and flowers when it reaches the top of the canopy. 

It grows in shade and flower in full sun.

Vanilla can also grow in container; roll the cutting onto a container full of peat and coco, or a 2 nodes cutting. 

Put a support in the middle, water vanilla frequently, and it will grows on naturally on it.

Uses

- Ornemental use

Very nice indoor plant. Can be planted as a single plant or in wood.

- Alimentary use

Like vanilla (spice)

Etymology

Vanilla means « Little-sheath », diminutive of Spanish vaina, Latin, vagina (from the Spanish name, vainilla, for a small sheath, describing the fruit).

Pompona means : having a top-knot or pompon, of great splendour.

Anecdotes

Mainly grown in the West Indies, it has the same use as Vanilla planifolia.