Vanilla in a frog tank and availabiltiy

[grassypeak]

I’m thinking of purchasing a Vanilla sp. For a frog vivarium, and I have two questions.

1.) Will this plant grow in a dart frog vivarium with the following conditions;

The light will come from two 65 watt compact fluorescents (maybe only one when it’s warm)

The humidity will be high. The tank will be misted three times a day during the wet season (probably 4 months long followed by a 6 week dry season). During the dry season the tank will only be misted once every other day (it is a frog tank so it can’t get too dry).

The ventilation will be minimal ( a one inch wide screen along the bottom edge and top edge of the front of the vivarium).

The drainage will be reasonably good. The substrate will be PrimeAgra expanded clay balls over a false bottom.

The vivarium is 25” high so I realize that this will be a well pruned Vanilla sp.
,
2.) If you think this plant can survive such a set-up, does anyone know of good sources for Vanilla sp.?

[j.schroeder]

Vanilla should do quite well in a setup of that nature, if your growing it for a specimen plant, to bloom vanilla takes much more light and space. Vanilla is somewhat of and obscure item to find as it is so hard to bloom and requires a lot of space. I have some available from time to time (the vanilla in Darren Meyers tank was from me), but I don't have any right now. As for a price, I haven't actually sold any. Most of the vanilla i get to people is a trade or a favor. I would say a reasonable price would be about $20 for a 4" pot with a 6" start.

I might have some in a few weeks (I have several cuttings that I'm rooting right now), so let me know if your interested.

Justin

[grassypeak]

Justin,

Post again when you are ready to give one up and I'll work something out with you.