CULTIVATION

 The vanilla plant is a member of the orchid family and grows in the

form of a vine.

In the wild state, it lives in tropical rainforests,

where it attaches to supports (tree trunks)through aerial roots put out

by the stalk.

This orchid grows well in the humus-rich soils of deep, humid valleys.

      The vines are propagated by making cuttings in plant compost at the foot

of a stake, which serves as a support.

There are two different types of stakes:

      The artificial stake (shade houses)

> wooden pole or any other artificial support for the vine.

The live stake

> tree or shrub.