Establishing Vanilla Production and a Vanilla Breeding Program in the Southern United States

• Published in: Handbook of Vanilla Science and Technology pp. 165 - 180
• Main Author: Chambers, Alan H
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons Ltd 11.09.2018
• Subjects: naturalized populations; South Florida climate; Vanilla breeding program; Vanilla production; weather events
• ISBN: 9781119377276; 1119377277
• DOI: 10.1002/9781119377320.ch11

This chapter outlines a framework designed to support the establishment of commercial Vanilla production in southern Florida. The southern Florida climate is subtropical, but is suitable for commercial production of tropical fruits. Tropical fruit growers in the United States are showing increased interest in commercial Vanilla production, but lack foundational information for establishing profitable vanilleries. Naturalized populations of Vanilla planifolia are present in southern Florida on preserve lands and in the gardens of local orchid enthusiasts. Vanilla production in southern Florida could be commercially viable especially when combined with agro‐tourism, but more research into optimal production practices and deep economic analyses are needed. A Vanilla breeding program would include traits like large, non‐dehiscent beans and disease resistance for common pathogens. While major weather events are rare, extreme weather events could impact Vanilla tutors, growth structures and total production.