Vanilla grows best under hot humid climate from sea level to an elevation of 1500 m. Most of its production is done 10 to 20 degrees above and below the equator. The ideal growing conditions are moderate rainfall 150-300 cm evenly distributed through 10 months of the year. The optimum temperatures for cultivation are 15-30°C (~60-90°F) during the day and 15-20°C (~60-70°F) during the night. Ideal humidity is around 80% and under normal greenhouse conditions it can be achieved by an evaporated cooler.
However, since greenhouse vanilla is grown near the equator and under polymer (HDPE) netting (shading of 50%), this humidity can achieved by the environment.

Soils for vanilla cultivation should be loose with high organic matter content and loamy texture. They must be well drained, and a slight slope helps in this condition. Soil pH has not been well documented but some researchers have indicated an optimum soil pH of around 5.3.
Mulch is very important for proper growth of the vine and a considerable portion of mulch should be placed in the base of the vine. Fertilization varies with soil conditions but general recommendations are: 40 to 60g of N, 20 to 30g of P2O5 and 60 to 100g of K2O should be applied to each plant per year besides organic manures like vermicompost, oil cakes, poultry manure and wood ash. Foliar applications are also good for vanilla and a solution of 1% NPK (17:17:17) can be sprayed at the plant once a month. Vanilla likes a lot of organic matter; therefore 3 to 4 applications of mulch a year are adequate for the plant.

Page 2 - Harvesting, Curing...