Need Help Repotting my Vanilla Bean Orchid

[CallmeFishmeal]

I received a vanilla orchid as a bday gift last year and it has grown... slightly. This is the first Vanilla plant that I have owned, but I have had previous orchids that seem to doing fine. Previous threads that I have read have said that vanilla and regular orchids have similar growing conditions but I have found that to be slightly misleading. I also read that Vanilla's ideal zones are 10-11 and I live in zone 8 (Alabama). This kinda shocked me, how I'm achieving growth, even if its little. My intention is to repot it but thats where I need help. I currently have my orchid in a hanging pot with sphagnum moss and a simple bamboo stick coming from the pot. I can tell that this will not cut it in the long run so I found a much bigger non-hanging pot that I might have to end up putting in the greenhouse for the winter.

What is the best soil/moss/bark/sand that vanilla beans love? I know everything that vanilla orchids love but I am restricted on some of them, such allowing them to grow up a tree. Does anyone else in Alabama or neighbor states that has had success growing vanilla bean? What are the secrets? My plan was to take my bigger pot and some "chicken" wire and making a round climbing trellis, fill it full with suggested mixtures and hope for the best. I must be doing something right if its growing down here and hope it stays happy. Hope someone out there can help! Thanks

[No-Pro-mwa]

I don't grow this one but will give you a I would say that yes you are doing something right as it looks good. Try doing a search on here for old posts.

[PaphLover]

Way to go! It looks great. I'd love to grow one as well, but the little I know leaves me wary to try in my zone without, maybe, grow lights. Interested to read what the experts might post.

[AuGrower]

Greetings from Auburn! Im glad to see a fellow Alabamian on the board. I ended up killing a cutting of vanilla I got on my first try 😒.



However, Atlanta Botanical Gardens has some HUGE Vanilla vines in their orchid house. Here is a link to their orchid blog on how they grow their Vanilla. Not extremely detailed, but possibly some helpful info.

The Orchid Column: Vanilla



I think the Vine would love your trellis idea. Especially since it can get those extra roots in there as it grows, but again im no expert.

[CallmeFishmeal]

Hi there! I actually live in Beauregard (just right outside from Auburn) I really want to see to the vines in Atlanta! I've been there once but didn't walk around the whole thing. As far as my future research goes, its just difficult for me follow what they really want (yet its growing anyway) I've heard that the plants can be very forgiving and can adjust easily to conditions. At the same time, I've managed to kill pitcher plants native to Alabama but have multiples of species that are found in jungles - in the trees. Plants sure are a funny thing.
My plans have changed slightly for the future of my orchid. I want to wait a little before repotting it since it is now starting to grow well. When it hits the end of the bamboo stick, I want to put it (hear me out) in a smaller pot than what its in now and actually secure a piece of wood or stick to the chicken wire idea and make something for it to actually climb. Another funny thing, I swear I planted it in sphagnum moss but now it looks like dirt. Does sphagnum break down like that? What should I plant the orchid in when I repot it?
As said, it must be happy with current conditions but that was mainly in the Summer. With ter is quickly approaching and this is always an issue with many of my plants. I have 2 greenhouses but they got filled up real quick and I am out of room, especially for a hanging pot. Maybe I will have the first Alabamian Vanilla bean! I actually made this account JUST to see if some other person in Alabama is trying what I am doing. I know I won't get a vanilla bean soon but even if I make only one extract, that's good enough for me cause I can say I done it I will have to keep the progress up for everyone to see. Thanks for all the replies, guys

[Leafmite]

I was sure one of the experts would answer you so I didn't. I have had one for many years that has undergone quite a bit of abuse (damaged tips from cooler weather, being eaten down to the roots by some unknown critter, not getting enough water last year while growing under lights, being forgotten when adding fertilizer....) but it always survives and starts over. I grow mine in a mix of peat, small red lava rock, sand, orchid bark and perlite. These will tolerate anything but cooler temperatures, it seems. To thrive, they like warmth, good light, regular watering and fertilizing and kept away from hungry critters.

[lepetitmartien]

Here is the "expert" Sorry, I wasn't around due to health issues for weeks.

So, for planifolia (and usually all vanillas with leaves):
- keep it higher than 16°C, but it will thrive only between 20 and 35°C. In plantations, they can stand down to 13°C but don't try this at home.
- it needs light, in Europe we can leave them next to windows ans up the glasshouses.
- If active, feed them. They don't have sleep periods, just conditions inadequate for growing.
- a normal rate of growth at home is from 20 cm to 1 m per month. If less, you don't grow them the right way. (note, this is for adult plants, not cutings)
- wet roots and cold are a sure way to kill a vanilla. If you see rot coming, cut at least up or down the first clean knot, keep it dry.
- Use a pot with water reserve, the vanilla will thank you when it's hot, and no it doesn't live and grow like "normal orchids".
- For the mix, the classic mix is about half humus, complete with bark mostly and elements to keep air circulating (change every 2 years or less if totaly degraded). I use a mix of coco chips mostly, with bark and stuff to keep air flowing (still thriving in it after 3 years and a half).

In case, I've been already explaining things in other threads, a search on vanilla will get you there and look in the social group, there may be information there too.