A bit of history
Born into a Guadeloupean family deeply connected to the land, Didreau grew up in close contact with nature, between rural traditions and respect for life. From an early age, he nurtured a simple yet profound relationship with the soil of his island.
In 2019, he decided to embark on farming, driven by the desire to live from his land and his convictions.
It was during training courses offered by APAGwa (Association for the Promotion of Agroforestry in Guadeloupe) that he discovered vanilla. This delicate plant, with its very specific requirements, first intrigued him and soon became his passion. From then on, he had only one goal: to cultivate an authentic Guadeloupean vanilla, rooted in its forest and enriched by an exceptional terroir.
That same year, Didreau planted his first cuttings within forest plots under concession with the ONF (French National Forestry Office).
In 2023, he hand-pollinated his first vanilla flowers, and about nine months later, harvested his first mature beans. This milestone marked the end of five years of patience and finally the beginning of his production.
Diversify today, to resist tomorrow.
Today, he cultivates each plant with patience and respect, guided by a simple approach: to grow local vanilla in harmony with its natural environment. In other words, there is only the vine and the forest — no inputs are added to his plots, whether synthetic or natural.
Aware of the effects of climate change, particularly on vanilla cultivation, Didreau has committed himself to agricultural diversification, with the aim of building a resilient and productive farm.
Alongside his vanilla plantations, he has also undertaken the creation of a food forest on half a hectare. This plot combines shade trees, banana plants, a variety of fruit trees, cacao trees, vanilla vines, and vegetable crops. A true mosaic of nourishment, designed to enrich the soil, foster biodiversity, and provide harvests all year round.
Always curious and forward-looking, Didreau is also turning to beekeeping. The installation of hives within his forest plots will soon allow him to produce local honey, a reflection of Guadeloupe’s wild flora.
Finally, on another plot, he is experimenting with inter-row cultivation, combining crops such as bananas and hibiscus, in a logic of simple plant associations adapted to the climate.
You can find more details about these projects here.
But what is vanilla?
It is a precious spice, derived from a tropical orchid . The main variety cultivated is Vanilla planifolia. Vanilla pompona is also grown on the farm, but in much smaller quantities.
Vanilla grows in the form of vines , which climb along natural supports (often shade trees). It needs:
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of a hot and humid climate
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from a humus-rich soil
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partial shade (it does not tolerate full sun)
But most importantly, vanilla does not pollinate itself outside its natural habitat. Each flower must be pollinated by hand, one by one, within a few hours of opening. This is a meticulous, daily task during the flowering season.