English name sweet herb; sweetgrass

The scientific name is Hu Luzi, which originated in Europe and was introduced to China in recent years. It is an annual herb and spice plant with high economic value. Because it has a strong and lasting aromatic smell, it can purify the surrounding environment and win the favor of the living room public because of its special effects of anti-corrosion, sterilization and insect repellent. Its stalks and seeds contain trigonelline, vitexin, various saponins and volatile fatty acids, which have been widely used in the fields of perfuming agents for textiles, building materials, cigarettes and food and alcohol. At present, some countries have turned to vanilla extract as a natural flavoring agent for cosmetics and beverages, and the market demand is increasing year by year, which is in short supply. Vanilla is still a traditional Chinese medicine, and the whole grass is used as medicine. It has the effects of calming the brain, relieving fatigue, dredging collaterals and relieving pain.

Thus, the comprehensive utilization of vanilla has broad development prospects.

Morphological characteristics:

Vanilla, plant height 40-60 cm, stems clustered and branched, with three leaves; Flowers 1-2, the flowers are white at first, and then turn pale yellow to shed pods, and the pods are linear, cylindrical and slightly curved. The flowering period is related to regional planting. In Jilin, the flowering period is from June to July, especially from July to August, and the growth period is about 80 days. The seeds are brown, with 1000-grain weight11.8g.. Its characteristics are cool and drought-tolerant.

Planting points:

Vanilla is not strict with soil quality, and it can be planted in general soil, but it needs good drainage to prevent low waterlogging. It likes a well-ventilated growing environment, and it is forbidden to interplant with tall crops. It is highly adaptable to climate, easy to manage in the field and suitable for planting in most parts of China. For growers, facing the rare opportunity of development after China's entry into WTO, there are unlimited business opportunities now and in the future, which will certainly bring huge economic benefits to producers and operators.

In Northeast China, vanilla has become the best-selling natural perfume commodity in the market. Growers transport dried plants to the city at a price of 1 yuan, and citizens scramble to buy them, which is regarded as a treasure for perfuming rooms, clothes, bodies, filling sleeping pillows, sewing sachets and sachets. It is a newly developed high-efficiency agricultural project with a net income of tens of thousands of yuan per 667 square meters. Vanilla is widely used in various fields of life, such as hotels, restaurants, department stores, and even bathrooms. Some are placed on the ground and some are placed on the counter to increase the fragrant and warm atmosphere. There are stalls selling vanilla everywhere, and the fragrant vanilla not only attracts more customers, but also expands the financial resources. The combination of vanilla with cut flowers, flower arrangements and dried flowers has doubled the fragrance and increased the price. Many businessmen packed bundles of herbs and sold them across the sea to South Korea, Japan and other Southeast Asian countries.

Vanilla is panicum miliaceum, which can be divided into two types: grass and grain. When it matures, the plant gives off a pungent aroma, which is dried and placed in the room, and the fragrance permeates the air for a long time. Vanilla is a day-neutral plant, which can be planted in the north and south. The sowing date varies with the regional climate conditions and farming methods. In the north, it is mostly sown in spring. Before and after Qingming, it can be interplanted, intercropped and replanted with the main crops in the south, with a growth period of 80 days. Grass can be sold as spices, vegetables and condiments, with a yield of 40,000-60,000 plants per 667 square meters; Granules can extract essential oils or be used as coffee substitutes and medicines. Every 667 square meters, 30,000 seedlings are protected, and every 667 square meters, vanilla beans (seeds) 150 kg are produced.