Historical repository of UF/IFAS Extension numbered publications made available on the EDIS website. UF/IFAS Extension is a federal, state, and county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life.

Research-supported information developed to meet the needs of Florida audiences. UF/IFAS Extension is a federal, state, and county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life.

Nitrogen (N) management is a critical factor influencing growth and physiological performance of vanilla. However, quantitative information on N requirements for Vanilla × tahitensis remains limited. This study evaluated six N application rates (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 g N plant⁻¹ yr⁻¹) on tissue N partitioning, leaf chlorophyll index (LCI), vegetative growth, and biomass under controlled container conditions. Plants were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), and final analyses were conducted on destructively sampled plants (three plants per treatment; total n = 18). N concentration increased in all tissues with increasing N supply, but responses differed among tissues. Stem N concentration exhibited the greatest proportional increase at high N rates, whereas leaf N increased more gradually. Growth traits and LCI followed curvilinear patterns, with intermediate N rates generally associated with improved vegetative performance. Quadratic models estimated optimal N rates between 13 and 21 g N plant⁻¹ yr⁻¹, with predicted leaf N concentrations of 1.5–2.2%. However, confidence intervals indicated substantial uncertainty for variables with low model fit. LCI was strongly correlated with leaf N concentration, supporting its use as a nondestructive indicator of plant N status. Because the study was conducted under controlled conditions, field validation is required before broader recommendations are made.

Vanilla extract is popular around the world as an ingredient in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications. The botanical source of vanilla extract is primarily the cured beans of Vanilla planifolia. The United States is the world's largest importer of vanilla beans, but domestic production is minimal. Southern Florida has a favorable growing environment for vanilla cultivation. Though currently there is no commercial production of vanilla in southern Florida, it has the potential to be a highly profitable crop in the future. This publication aims to provide basic information to growers interested in establishing a vanillery.