This is the first installment in a three-part series on vanilla cultivation in Sarawak, focusing on the story of Luke Piee—a retiree and pioneer in growing vanilla, particularly in Bau.
What started as a hobby has turned into a business for retiree Luke Piee, a pioneer in vanilla cultivation.
About 47 km away from the city centre, Luke has his own vanilla farm located in Kampung Skibang, which has shown tremendous progress, after years of dedication, experimentation and hard work.
Pioneering the Vanilla Path in Bau
Luke was among a small group selected for vanilla cultivation training in 2023, standing out as the sole participant from Bau, while 10 others were contract farmers based in Serian.
The training marked a turning point for him. His farm is now entering its second round of flowering, a significant achievement considering that vanilla typically takes around three years, or 36 months, to flower. Yet, on Luke’s farm in Kampung Skibang, the process took only 24 months, despite early setbacks in pollination.
“To me, this is record-breaking.
“I consider myself a pioneer in vanilla cultivation and thank God I’ve succeeded. I think I’m the only one in Bau growing vanilla and it’s thriving. I’m very happy with it,” he told Sarawak Tribune during an interview.
Patience, Care, and Commitment: The Secret to Thriving Vanilla
What does it take for vanilla to flourish in Sarawak’s climate? According to Luke, the key ingredient is simple—tender, loving care, or TLC, as he fondly puts it.
He acknowledged that while several peers initially showed interest, many gave up along the way. Vanilla, he explained, is a crop that demands time, patience, and consistent dedication, qualities essential for anyone serious about cultivating it successfully.
One of the most delicate stages is the pollination process. Luke explained that the window for successful pollination is very narrow, only about six to seven hours.
“You can’t pollinate too early in the morning or too late in the afternoon,” he advised.
“If you start too early, the flowers haven’t produced enough pollen. But if you wait too long, the pollen dies.”
He recommends beginning around 9am when conditions are just right, unless there are many flowers to pollinate, in which case starting earlier becomes necessary.
“It’s a balance. Too early, not enough pollen. Too late, and it’s no good either.”
Luke’s vanilla farm is mainly of Tahitensis species, one of the major vanilla varieties used commercially.
Tahitian vanilla, scientifically known as Vanilla tahitensis, derives its name from French Polynesia, where the variety was first cultivated. It evolved from Vanilla planifolia—another major species—after being introduced to Tahiti, eventually mutating into a distinct type.
Known for its earthy, fruity aroma, tahitensis contains less natural vanillin than planifolia, but is prized for its unique flavour profile in gourmet and specialty products.
Transforming Land Through a Demanding but Rewarding Process
For Luke, vanilla cultivation is anything but straightforward. The journey from preparation to post-harvest involves countless steps, each requiring attention and care.
He shared that the land he now nurtures was once his family’s pepper farm. Today, it has been revitalised into a thriving, multi-crop plantation—where vanilla vines climb old pepper poles, and other crops flourish beneath.
“Multi-cropping means the vanilla vines are trained to climb up the old pepper poles, while Dayak eggplant, roselle, and young coffee plants grow beneath them.”
The growing medium is also unique. Instead of relying heavily on soil, Luke uses coconut husks, cocopeat, decomposed leaves, and other organic materials. This method not only conserves water but also helps maintain stable temperature and humidity—two crucial factors for vanilla cultivation.
“Vanilla isn’t a fragile plant, but it is sensitive. If there’s two weeks of heat, I water it. But now that it’s the rainy season, I don’t have to do anything—just check on the leaves.”
Luke explained that vanilla is a climbing plant, and if left to grow too tall, it won’t flower. To encourage blooming, he uses a looping technique to bend the vines back down.
“When you train the vine to grow downward, it naturally climbs back up. That cycle stimulates the plant to flower.”
One of the main threats to vanilla, according to Luke, is the caterpillar—not just as a pest, but also as an unexpected growth trigger.
“If it eats the shoot tips, the plant will produce two new branches. These branches are mature and more likely to flower quickly. But of course, you have to control them—don’t let them eat everything.”
Luke now cultivates over 100 Vanilla tahitensis plants—a variety more resilient than planifolia and increasingly in demand, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia. He has already sold one batch of cuttings, with another batch expected to go out by the end of the month.
“People often ask me if vanilla can really grow here. I tell them it can, but it’s not for the impatient. This crop is for those willing to wait.”
According to Luke, vanilla begins to flower after 18 to 24 months, with peak productivity reached between the seventh and eighth year. While a vanilla plant can live up to 20 years, it’s usually cultivated commercially in 10-year cycles before being replanted.
“If you understand the plant, it will reward you. But if you’re only chasing quick profits, it’ll be tough. Vanilla isn’t a plant you can command—it teaches you to be patient.”
Vanilla: A Lucrative Crop with a Promising Future
Luke is confident that vanilla has strong commercial potential, noting that it is the second most expensive spice in the world after saffron.
“So rest assured, vanilla has a solid market, and its future looks bright. Plus, the workload is lighter compared to growing pepper or cocoa.”
As the only known vanilla grower in Bau, and with growing interest from larger markets, Luke hopes to see more young people and smallholders take up the challenge.
He is also open to sharing his knowledge and experience, whether as a reference or as a consultant for aspiring vanilla growers.
The second part of the story will focus on Alfred Phua of Vanilla Impact Story (VIS) and his dedication to supporting marginalised communities through vanilla cultivation and his vision for the industry’s growth in the state.
