Vanilla plants start to flower from the third year of planting in the month of January and February month but irrigation should be stopped during the month of December and the tips of the vines should be regularly pruned.Abundant irrigation should be provided for inducing more flowers during this stage.
farming practices
Which micro climate is suitable for vanilla farming?
Green houses and shade nets provide a controlled environment for Vanilla plants, thereby producing more yields and this environment provides them the required humidity, light and temperature which are maintained by the essential components.
Any net that provides 60% of shade can be considered as the shade house. The irrigation and humidity requirements are fulfilled using micro sprinklers with both irrigation and misting or fogging facilities that are installed in the shade net house.
How much spacing is maintained for vanilla farming?
A space of 2.5 to 3 metres is required between the plants and about 2 metres distance between rows and 2 metres distance within the rows, thereby making a population of 1600 to 2000 trees per ha. Vanilla cuttings are planted in rich organic content soil and they are filled in the trenches with the spacing of 8ft and in these trenches 7 feet long support pillars are placed with spacing of 6 feet.
Which is the best time for vanilla planting?
The best time for vanilla planting is the month of August and September, when the weather is not too rainy or too dry. The cuttings of the vine are laid on the soil surface and is then covered with a thin layer of about 2-3 cm soil.
The growing tips are gently tied to the support for climbing by the aerial roots and are covered with dry grass or palm fronds or other suitable materials and if the soil is dry water is sprinkled on them for early establishment of these cuttings.
How propagation is done in vanilla farming?
The crop is usually propagated from the cuttings, with the shoot having 18 to 24 internodes for optimal propagation. The cuttings are adjusted depending on the availability of the plant material and the area of the field. However, the cuttings less than 5 to 6 inches or shorter than 60 cm length should be avoided to plant in the main field and for cultivating it in a polybag even 2 nodes of shoot cutting would be enough.
Long cuttings of the shoot start to flower in the second year itself but the short cuttings take three years for flowering. However, long cuttings have slow growth as compared to the shorter ones. Vanilla plants can also be propagated using tissue culture methods. For propagation the leaves of the 4th to 5th node from the tip is removed and the cutting is kept loosely in a shaded place for 2-3 weeks and when it forms a complete root system then it is transplanted to the field.
Why knobbiness occurs in potatoes?
It occurs due to uneven growth of tuber cells/tissues. Uneven watering conditions lead to an obstruction in tuber growth. Heavy irrigation after a long dry spell leads to fast growth of some cells and as a result knobs are formed. Ensure frequent and optimum irrigation.
Why black heart occurs in potato?
It is caused by sub-oxidation conditions under potato tuber storage as there is no aeration in the centre of the piles. Due to high temperature and excessive moisture, blackening of tissues in the centre occur. The appearance of the tuber affects the consumers otherwise there is no decay. Provide proper ventilation. Keep potato tubers in layers. Do not store tubers in the heap.
why hallow heart in occurs potato ?
It is caused by rapid growth of tubers. Tubers become oversized and remain empty inside leading to the formation of cavity in the centre with the death of the small area of pith cells. This results in adjacent cracks and hollowness as the centre expands during the growth of the potato. Maintain soil moisture conditions to the optimum level. Avoid over fertilization particularly nitrogen. Grow those varieties which are less prone to this defect.
How pruning is done in Noni fruit?
Pruning should be done regularly, young plants of age less than 3 years old should be pruned constantly until the first production of fruit. In the next growing phrases, the pruned plants will become bushy. Because Noni trees can reach a height of approximately 20 feet, growers may wish to prune the vertical branches of mature plants to facilitate picking. Pruning is effective to control pest and disease.
How are potatoes harvested?
Harvesting can be done depending on the requirement i.e., some small new potatoes are purposely harvested when they are small and tender. Such crops are ready for harvest within 2 or 3 weeks of planting. The harvesting should always be done on a dry day. The tubers should be dug very carefully such that they are not damaged. The big size potatoes are harvested only when their foliage is dry or die back has occurred. For these big sized varieties, the foliage is removed and the potatoes are harvested after 10 or 15 days so that they develop thick skin.
Spading fork or plough is generally used to harvest potatoes. The use of these farm equipment should be gentle so that the tubers are not injured or bruised.