Vanilla vines grow best in tropical climates 25 degrees north or south of the
equator. 이지역은 태풍등의 피해을 받기 쉬운 지역이다. Ample rainfall and an even mixture of sun and shade are needed, with no
extended droughts or high winds. The vines do best in rich, "humusy" soil on
gentle slopes with even drainage.
It is a climbing vine that is grown against trees or posts and is propagated from cuttings. A rapid grower, the vine has to be pruned and trained to keep it within the reach of the plantation workers. It takes about three years for the vanilla vine to reach bearing stage and often the first crop is a small one.
If left unpruned, the vines may grow as high as the forest canopy, but they
will not flower. On vanilla plantations they are pruned and trained downward not
only to increase flowering, but to keep the flowers and beans within easy reach
of the workers for pollination and harvest.
The vanilla plant is propagated by cuttings that are planted at the base of
supporting "mother" trees. The plants will not bear fruit or flowers until the
third or fourth year, with maximum yields after seven or eight years. The vines
are abandoned at 10 to 12 years old when they are no longer commercially
productive.
