Are you interested in growing the second most expensive spice? Saili randomly discovered vanilla vines growing in the wild while he was on a work project a few years ago. He started hobby growing vanilla from cuttings he obtained from this site, and he has turned it into his business now!
The vanilla seems relatively easy to grow though the harvesting is a little more complicated as you will have to pollinate it yourself and then dry it over 2 months. If this seems like too much trouble, you can purchase a large bottle of vanilla from Saili or purchase some dried vanilla beans to create your own vanilla extract. However, it does take about four months to make extract. Saili recommends using one whole vanilla bean for each ounce of alcohol for your extract. If you do decide to try to grow vanilla, you can purchase a plant from the Laie Vanilla Company at the Farmer’s Market in Kailua on the first Sunday of each month or Kaka’ako Farmer’s Market every Sunday. I asked Saili if he ever sees pests on his vanilla plants. He stated that sometimes he finds spider mites or ants, but they are easily deterred by a either a soapy water mixture or a mixture of neem oil and water, which he sprays on the plants when he sees them.