Vanilla

[FunnyNacho]

Hi All -
I just purchased two vanilla orchids. I really want to make these grow and be beautiful. It will be an indoor plant as I am in zone 4b-5a. I am reading so many conflicting pieces of advice on the best care for them.
Was wondering who has had success with this type? What tips do you recommend for a healthy plant? What type of trellis is recommended? What about potting medium? Misting? Watering? Humidity? Heat?
I'd appreciate any advice you can lend me.

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[rbarata]

I don't know much about vanilla but I know I can't grow them because they need constant warm to hot temps and, most difficult to me, high humidity (I think higher than 80%).
Also vanillas are huge vines that climb everywhere. I'm not sure if you want a room in your house with HR>80%.
But let's see what others have to say since I'm not an expert.

[FunnyNacho]

Thank you, rbarata! I did read about the high humidity needed and wondered if I could make it work. We have a humidifier next to the spot I'd like to "home" them. The humidifier would run/spray pretty continuously right next to them, so I'd hoped that would provide a better RH for them.

[Subrosa]

The reason I haven't tried any Vanilla orchids is because
I simply don't have room for a warm to hot growing plant that has to grow to 12'-15' before it flowers. Even grown on a trellis I can think of several other orchids I'd like that would fit in the same space. Throw in a flower that lasts about a day and it's no thank you! If I want to produce my own vanilla I'll grow Leptotes bicolor again.

[FunnyNacho]

Thank you, Subrosa! I do have the height room, but the humidity is a worry. I should have looked into Leptotes bicolor further! That sounds like an ideal plant for me!

[Leafmite]

These will grow on anything but it is best to get something you can wrap the vine around to keep it 'contained'. I have heard from a man who grew several varieties of Vanilla that the roots can etch glass. I believe that he said that these were grown on chicken wire hoops. They do best in a greenhouse where they have plenty of room, humidity and light but they do fine in a home, too. I do not think they are very picky. I currently have mine in an eight inch pot with 1/3 each of bark, sand and potting soil. I water it when the soil approaches dryness and spray the aerial roots when I think of it (I have good humidity due to other plants being nearby). Night temperatures should never be below 50'F and preferably should stay above 60'F. Day temperatures should be above 60'F (at least in my experience). I grew mine in bright shade this summer, with my Phal bellina and, currently, have it under the light with my other orchids that prefer bright shade as there is more humidity there from the other plants that are nearby (non-orchids). It is growing steadily. More light, however, is preferred.

I grow this as I think the leaves are as attractive as any houseplant and I like to grow plants with a significance (I grow Piper Nigrum, Theobroma cacao, Cinnamon, coffee, tea, etc.). Right now, I am wrapping the vine around a styrofoam loop wrapped in burlap but I will probably need to add a larger loop soon to wrap the vine around. As for size, I am not too concerned as I grow passion fruit vines and they grow a couple of inches every day. You just need to control those, too.

[FunnyNacho]

Oh my gosh, what a fantastic post of advice! Thank you, Leafmite!
I really am sincerely excited to get these going and you provided a lot of great info. I have an area in my home that is a two stories tall, so climbing won't be an issue. I just have to get a tall enough trellis to wrap it - or perhaps a three pronged style to wrap it around. It has bright (indirect) light or mottled light due to plantation shutters. I have tons of other plants around this area too with a humidifier close by. Temperatures will be around 72-68 degrees as it's indoors, so that should suit it.

[Fairorchids]

My dad grew one in a metal basket, filled with spaghnum/bark mix, in a greenhouse together with Paphs & Catts. Plant grew fine, but I do not recall it ever blooming.

[estación seca]

They are easy to grow, but don't bloom unless they climb to the top of the space and expose the tops of the plants to sun.