My Vanilla Vine

Summary

John Rose details the journey of growing a vanilla vine indoors under LED lights, from installation to the anticipation of harvesting vanilla pods, with personal anecdotes and updates on the plant's progress.

Abstract

The web content describes John Rose's experience with cultivating a vanilla vine in an indoor LED garden in Sydney, 2019. The narrative begins with the installation of an LED support system and progresses through the initial testing of lights, the first sprouts, and the decision to grow something exotic, like vanilla. The author reminisces about a childhood memory involving vanilla custard, which fuels the choice to grow a vanilla vine. The process includes purchasing a cutting, potting, and caring for the plant. The vine's growth exceeds expectations, and the author looks forward to hand-pollinating the flowers and eventually harvesting the pods, which takes nine months. The article also provides links to other works by John Rose, covering topics like LED gardening, poetry, and a personal biography.

Opinions

The author expresses a sense of nostalgia and personal connection to vanilla, particularly through the humorous anecdote of the "infamous vanilla custard incident."
There is an evident enthusiasm for the vanilla vine's growth, described as vigorous and magnificent, which has surprised the author by looping over bars and reaching thirty meters.
The author conveys a hands-on approach and dedication to the cultivation process, including hand-pollinating the vanilla flowers and meticulously preparing the orchard potting mix.
Anticipation and excitement are building as the pods mature, with the author eagerly awaiting the harvest and the chance to make vanilla custard again, hinting at a secret smile and the joy of future culinary endeavors.
The use of LED lighting and indoor gardening techniques is presented as a practical and innovative solution for growing plants, such as the vanilla vine, in a non-traditional environment.

Vanilla Growing Rampant Indoors.

Vanilla Vine, planted in left-most pot (edge of picture). LED timber frame supports LED’s, Picture by John Rose.

2019 Sydney, LED Support Installed, First lights tested, First crops, Mainly boring, Mouth munching, Tummy rumbling, Sprouts.

New LED garden, Needed something, Exotic and esoteric, Exciting and inviting, Even awe-inspiring, Maybe vanilla?

Some things, Family remembers, Like the infamous, Vanilla custard incident, My defence of, “Being Hungry”, In devouring, All the yummy, Mouth-watering custard, Before dinner, Was not appreciated, No custard, For me, Since that, Fateful night, Long ago.

Obvious choice, Joyful dancing, Vanilla vine, Climbing orchard, Found retailer, Bought cutting, Courier delivered, Lickety-split, Rushed to garden, Calmed down, Coffee and coffee, All systems go, Orchard potting Mix - check, Fertiliser - check, Planted - check, Watered - check.

Vanilla Pods maturing takes 9 months (5 months to go). Picture by John Rose

Vigorous vanilla, Magnificent growth, Surprised me, Thirty meters, Looped over bars.

Beautiful flowers, Hand pollinated, Needs practice, Pods maturing, Can’t wait, Five Months left.

Harvest and Pod processing, More months, Excitement building, Vanilla custard time, Secret smile, Soon secret, Lip-smacking, Devouring!

My Vanilla Vine

Vanilla Growing Rampant Indoors.

Dr. John’s LED Gardens.

Practical Use of Spare Bedrooms as Indoor Potting Sheds.

The Poetry of John Rose.

Why and How I Love to Write Poetry.

John Rose BSc, BE(Hons), PhD.

Not Quite A Biography.