Vanilla should be mulched with organic mulch such as grass clippings to help suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture. Shoots may also be cut at the desired height and planted next to the same tutor tree once the wound has dried to create a new rooted plant. Planting the end of the shoot encourages the growth of roots and the continual production of newly rooted shoots helps to maintain a healthy plantation. When the plants reach a height of 1.6–1.8 m they should be bent back over the nearest suitable branch and the end of the shoot planted back into the ground and covered with soil. Vanilla should be managed to keep the vines at a manageable height as left unchecked they will continue to grow to the crowns of the supporting trees. Vanilla may also be grown on a trellis or support post. If a support tree is being used, it is preferable to use a type with a high number of lower branches. Cuttings should be planted at least 2 m (6.6 ft) apart. A cutting of 1.5 m (5 ft) should be taken and planted at the base of the support tree after removing the lower leaves. Cuttings are best taken during the dry season when growth of the vines is slower. Vanilla is usually propagated vegetatively from stem cuttings from a mother plant which has not been allowed to flower. Vanilla grows naturally in forests, often in clearings and alongside rivers and lakes where the forest canopy is thinner. It is usually planted alongside a companion tree, known as a tutor tree which has the added benefit of providing it with shade. Vanilla is a climbing plant and should always be provided with a support to grow on. Vanilla requires a soil rich in calcium and potassium and will grow best in a soil which is light and well-draining, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Vanilla is a tropical plant and will grow best in warm, humid climates at temperatures between 21 and 32☌ (33.8–89.6☏).
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