We rented a car today for a self directed tour of Huahine. It is a lush island that is very neat and clean. We went to a vanilla farm on the trip. I did not realize that vanilla plants were orchids. The farm mulched them heavily with coconut hush to provide moisture and cooling from the evaporation. Some were growing under shade cloth or in the natural shade. They are slow to produce. I think it was said that it takes 3 years to start to produce.
May fair winds fill your sails with adventurous friends! Bob
Gang with Francois the vanilla producer. Francois is the one in the brown hat.
Vanilla beans that are green and still on the plant
Vanilla plants mulched with coconut husk
Demonstration of pearl seeding at a pearl farm. They implant a bit of the mother of pearl producing mantle and a piece of mussel shell from the Mississippi River to start the whole process. It takes years to complete
Pearl farm
Pearls for sale