Just my 2 cents regarding vanilla...
I have mine in a large nursery pot filled with African Violet Mix and growing upwards on tree fern totems. I started with a 2 ft piece of totem and as the vine grows, we just drill out a hole in the top of the existing one and the bottom of a new piece into which a small dowel is placed. For firm support, these totems are tied onto a 6 ft pole anchored in the pot.
Everybody that sees how quickly this vine is growing comments on how amazing it is, so I'm glad I listened to my friend Linda when she gave me the cutting. The use of African Violet mix came from her...
Thanks Linda R.