I grow this in my house, outside in summer and near a south facing window in colder seasons. My potting 'soil' is made up of lava rock, sand, vermiculite, perlite and bark (I think that is all I put in there). I bought PVC pipe and put this in the bottom of the pot, put shards of a clay pot around it for stability, and then filled the pot with the mixture. I put the vanilla's roots near the top. I wrapped the PVC pipe with paper towels and floral moss and spray it daily for the aerial roots that are growing into it. Old towels instead of paper towels would have been a much better decision. I secured this with floral wire. It takes a while to get established and grows 'slowly' but then it just goes crazy. Mine doesn't like to get water in the growing tip (where the new leaf is forming) in colder weather. I have some other vanillas growing on towels up my shelving. I keep the towels damp for the roots. If you trim, it grows from a lower node, fear not. A botonist told me he makes a frame of aluminum fencing and wraps the vanilla around this as it grows to keep it under control. In the house, I don't have the room for this so I use the pipe (I can add to it). The sap can cause a rash but I haven't experienced this. I hope this helps. Good luck!
Leafmite
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