Background:
Since June 20th, 2020, Mirliton.org has been working with growers throughout the country on the Ishreal Thibodeaux White Mirliton Preservation Project in an attempt to bring back, from the brink of extinction, this rare ivory white variety of the mirliton grown and cared for over four decades by Opelousas, Louisiana’s Ishreal Thibodeaux. If you haven’t already checked out the last Update on the Ishreal Thibodeaux White Mirliton Preservation Project – 1st Quarter 2021 – Mirliton then please do so to see the progress up to that point. It links back to the other updates which contain an in depth look at all of our growers and efforts from the start of the project.
As mentioned last update, we were able to expand our growing efforts to 10 new growers; mostly in Louisiana but some in Texas. This is in addition to our existing six from last year. Sadly, it looks like our Carolina and Alabama plants did not survive into the 2021 growing season. Our sincere hope is to resupply these folks with plants in early February 2022 for a second try.
Reports from the Field:
The last 3 months have been the start of a new chapter for many mirliton growers venturing into the Ishreal Thibodeaux mirlitons for the first time; or in some cases, returning to it after a long absence due to availability. Attached are a series of several photos from our new and existing growers from May through June.
Wade Guidry – Cutoff, LA
Image 1. Wade Guidry’s IT mirliton in May 2021.
Image 2. Wade Guidry’s IT mirliton in early June 2021. Looking good Wade!
David Duvic – West Felicians Parish, LA
Image 3. David Duvic’s IT mirliton in June 2021.
Christopher Brooks – Opelousas, LA
Image 4. Christopher Brook’s IT mirliton in May 2021.
Image 5. Christopher Brook’s IT mirliton in June 2021. Wow Christopher! This variety obviously loves to grow in the Opelousas soils. Look at it grow!
Laken Thomas -Lake Charles, LA
Image 6. Laken Thomas’ IT mirlitons in June 2021.
Image 7. Laken Thomas’ IT mirlitons in June 2021.
Laken notes:
“Plant #1 has grown 6″ from 3.27.21 to 4.26.21
Plant #2 has grown 1″ from 3.27.21 to 4.26.21. This plant has two shoots of equal length. This plant has grown plenty but the nutrients have distributed between the vines making the plant more bushy than long.
Plant #3 has grown 12″ from 3.27.21 to 4.26.21. This plant is a single vine.”
Brad Langlinais – Lafayette, LA
Image 8. Brad Langlinais IT mirlitons in early May 2021.
Image 9. Brad Langlinais IT mirlitons in late May 2021.
Image 10. Brad Langlinais IT mirlitons in mid-June 2021. Way to geaux Brad!!!
Brad notes: “I`m watering twice daily with old aquarium water.”
From our established growers:
Paul D’anna, Master Mirliton Grower – Metairie, LA
Paul updates us with the following bit of sage advice:
“Now that the hot season upon us, it’s survival time.
I trimmed back my vines to encourage new growth from the lower part of the vines.
I also wrapped the base of the vines with aluminum foil to protect them from squash borers.
Now the only thing to do is pray and wait for the Fall. – Paul”
Not everyone has seen squash vine borer issues with mirlitons, but this is something to definitely keep in mind should you fear this is an issue with your mirliton.
James Cobb– Houma, LA
Image 11. James Cobb IT mirlitons in mid-June 2021.
Image 12. James Cobb IT mirlitons in mid-June 2021.
Chef John Folse – Baton Rouge, LA
Chef John and his team at White Oak Estates and Gardens including Brian Ainsworth and Ryan Diez continue to keep a protective and nurturing eye over their 6+ vines. Here is just a tidbit of what has been going on.
Image 13. White Oak Estates and Gardens IT mirlitons in early June 2021.
Image 14. White Oak Estates and Gardens IT mirlitons in early June 2021. Yes folks! They are already picking a spring crop!!! Nice going Chef and team!
So far, our Texas growers aren’t doing too bad either. Please check out their progress.
Kevin de Santiago – Round Rock, TX
Image 15. Kevin de Santiago’s IT mirlitons in early May 2021.
Image 16. Kevin de Santiago’s IT mirlitons in early June 2021.
Alan Raymond – Kingwood, TX
Image 17. Alan Raymon’s IT mirlitons in early June 2021.
I believe these are all of the photos I have from our growers. I imagine you are as impressed with their progress as I am. This is an amazing start for 2021 compared to where we were in June 2020! Kudos to all the growers and continued success as we head into the hotter part of the year as Paul has warned. Please be vigilant and don’t forget to use shade cloth as needed.
Tee Shirt Campaign:
We continue to have steady sales of our Ishreal Thibodeaux White Mirliton Preservation Project tee shirts. The purchase of these shirts helps us continue our efforts to preserve and promote the work of Mirliton.org. If you are interested in purchasing one, these shirts are available as a special offering for those wishing to donate $30 per shirt to Mirliton.org. We posted our first ad in late November and almost immediately sold out of many popular sizes. We saw similar trends for the second shipment and currently will receive our third shipment in late June and will have more available for the $30 donation (which includes postage and handling cost). To order your own, simply click here or send me an email at rpcajun2r@gmail.com.
Image 18. The official project Tee Shirt.
Image 19. The official tee shirt of The Ishreal Thibodeaux White Mirliton Preservation Project.
Education and Inspiration Through Food:
In addition to the great information regarding the growing of mirliton, don’t forget we have a section completely devoted to recipes found below: International Mirliton/Chayote Recipes – Mirliton Dr. Hill has continued to add great recipes as he comes across them. Check it out and start planning your Fall mirliton menus now!
Thoughts so far for the 2021 Growing Season:
This second update of 2021 should clearly give the reader an idea that the program is doing quite well with our expanded group of growers. I am really impressed and inspired by what I am seeing. Barring any natural disasters or excessive heat issues this year, I can see 2021 definitely shaping up for the first bumper crop of Ishreal Thibodeaux White Mirliton in decades!
As a final note, if you wish to be considered in the third wave of growers in 2022 or interested in the project, please check out this link. Thank you all for the interest and support in 2020 and we wish you and your family and friends a safe, healthy, and wonderful spring growing season.
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please send them to me David J. Hubbell at rpcajun2r@gmail.com. Thank you.