my vanilla lasted 3+ years
and died when I had to leave it with a friend for 4 months while I was on the east coast.
They like warm humid environment and a lot of indirect light. I created a humidity box using 1/8 inch Plexiglas glued together and with a lift off lid. It had a 'pool of water' to help with humidity. they like to climb so at least to start provide support then they cling to the plexi. they can grow in light soil.

I've been looking for a replacement for my vanilla but my local orchid grower/seller got bought out by a housing development.

Vanilla has to get very large to produce flowers.

Tammy, don't think that way! Orchids are really NOT that hard, trust me! You mainly just have to "think outside the box" & NOT keep them in water! (They DO need moisture, but letting the roots stand in water constantly can cause root rot. PRETTY WEIRD, HUH? ) I'm a rookie at Orchid keeping, but I've gotten several "dumped into my lap" since November, & they've been blooming for me & I haven't killed any yet!

I don't know enough about the different types of Orchids, to fill a thimble, but I know that there are literally HUNDREDS of types! Only owning 4 out of those hundreds, I'm not sure how their care varies from type to type, & don't know that I know which one would be the Vanilla orchid.

(Thorns, or Orchidss, do either of you happen to have a photo of a Vanilla Orchid that you can post here?)

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I think I would truly love to have one of the vanilla orchids but I can't afford to buy one.

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