Vanilla Orchid 101

[Ale_V]

Hello,

yesterday I've been to a plant fair and my wife felt in love with a Vanilla Orchid (not better described but I think it's a Planifolia, please correct me if I am wrong) so we bought it without having done any research.

I've read a bit online and I've seen it requires high humidity, temperature and light.
I'm lucky I have made a sort greenhouse in a root of my apartment to grow Araceae and inside I have a costant 25C, 99% humidity and, obviously, I can controll the light.

I have still some questions in mind as I have seen various things online...
- It is vining species so I was wondering: is it better to make it climb on those bamboo sticks or shall I make a moss pole (just like the ones I make for my Araceae) out of sphagnum moss? What would be better for it to climb? I didn't understand if the aerial roots would be better in a medium or free in the air.
- I've read to pot it in 100% sphagnum moss, isn't it way too wet (also considering that it takes over a week for my poles, which are 100% sphagnum, to get totally dry at this humidity). Any other advice?
- I've never had a orchid under grow lights, shall I worry about burning the leaves or that's something that would happend only with real sunlight? I have around 128 PPFD at ground level rasing to 258 PPFD at 60cm from the ground (for 12h of light per day).


Thank you very much!


Ale

[Kittyfrex]

I'd say don't use 100% sphagnum if you have that high humidity. Been experimenting with 6 cuttings and i've noticed they do better when they do dry out between watering. Mine are in pure moss, with regular humidity, and all those that suffered/died were kept on the wetter side.

[Leafmite]

I have mine potted in regular potting soil. They are not too picky concerning the medium as long as they are watered correctly. Once the vine reaches the thickness of a pencil, they grow fast and one needs to be careful that they do not take over the pots of any neighbors. Any sort of trellis will work...if the moss of the moss pole stays damp, the roots that grow from the nodes of the vine will probably grow into it. They grow fine without this, though. Good luck!

[Ale_V]

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your responses, and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

I definitely need to repot this plant; with the current substrate, it’s not going to survive (it’s in pure coco coir and has been completely soaked for two weeks now…).

I’m thinking of switching to an aroid mix in a well-ventilated pot.

I’m still considering the type of support to use. The plant has developed two kinds of roots: one type appears mainly for attaching itself to a support, while the other seems more suited for absorbing water and nutrients (similar to typical aroid roots). I’ve attached a picture.

I’m wondering if a moss pole would be useful for providing nutrients at each node, or if it’s unnecessary. Another option could be to use an actual piece of wood for a more natural look and to try something different.

Any suggestions?

[Grawski]

You stated that the humidity is extremely high (99%). I would suggest repotting into Leca. I would use a dry leca in a slotted plastic orchid pot (not a Semi-Hydro setup). It would supply some moisture retention, as well as good ventilation at the roots.

[Ale_V]

Yes,

I've actually just bought a new instrument and it reads 91/90% humidity.

So you suggest just leca?
I thought they were somehow terrestrial at the beginning of their growing phase.

Thank you!

[Grawski]

I suggested just Leca as I have had good results with it. Based on your constant 90% humidity, whatever you select for a potting medium will need to be able to provide a wet/dry cycle. It will need to breathe.