Best medium for Vanilla planifolia
 

Hi all!!! I just received a cutting of Vanilla planifolia and I'm trying to see if it's in the right medium. The person that gave it to me has it in what appears to be regular miracle grow soil. I know that it requires a constant moist soil and low light, but I just wasn't sure about the medium. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it very much. Thanx!!!

Joshua

Hi Joshua,

I hope someone with more experience with Vanilla planifolia will chime in, but here's my two cents.

I have seen Vanilla orchids growing in the wild (in a forest on the island of Grenada) and they were growing terrestrially; I would think a medium that's suitable for terrestrial orchids would therefore suit them fine. The mix your orchid is in could be something called Pro-Mix HP, which is sometimes a good medium for terrestrials...I've not used it myself, but i know it does look a lot like potting soil.

Hope that is of some help,
Claire

Well I have had a Vanilla planiflora vareigata for about 4-5 months now and mine is growing like a weed. Even though it is 20-30 degrees here in Virginia. What I did was take some orchid bark and mix it with some potting soil. My vanilla loves it. If you don't have any sterile soil put soe in the oven at 320 degrees for 30 minutes, let it cool, then mix it in with the bark I used 50% bark to 50% soil. Don't forget to mist daily because if you don't the plant will lose its roots. Mine has grown about a foot in 3-4 weeks. Also give it high indirect light that is the only way it will grow. Depending on where you live it may not start growing until next year because of the temperatures.

I believe others in Florida like an African Violet Mix for their Vanillas.

I used African Violet mix and a little bark chip mixed in for mine, and it seems to be doing real well in our Florida summer heat. I give it catt. care, but I did bring it in at 50 degrees the other night.

I stuck mine in the ground, at the base of a coconut tree.

One thing about vanilla plants - they need to climb, and often will not bloom until they have reached the top of whatever they are climbing on and start to hang down again.

I agree with Chris147. Let it dry between waterings. Use 20-20-20 1x/wk. I have several large vanillas. HAve killed several from mixes that were too dense and overwatering.