Hi there. Here's a couple of links I've run into that might help.

General care:

http://gardenplantcare.com/Houseplants_12/vanilla_orchid.shtml

Soil:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/legumes/msg061616291970.html?2

Good luck!

I just recognized your username from another website. Do you use reddit?

Eric, I hesitate to answer that, considering the nature of that site and the comments, but yeh, that's me.

I've just this year started trying to grow things, and realize I like doing so, though I need more practice. It's pathetic how bad at growing tomatoes I am.

I have an floral orchid I bought for my girlfriend, name escapes me at the moment but it's doing well, and the vanilla which just arrived. I think I found instructions I trust on the vanilla, and it is soaking in water now for a couple of days. Not sure what substance to plant it in yet, but I have a few days there. More problematic is finding a trellis that's suitable for a smaller pot... if anyone has any suggestions there, I'd really appreciate it. Ideally something I can buy at a retail store, but even something to order online might be fine... it won't die for lack of a trellis in the week or so it'd take to show up.

Thanks again everyone,
John O.

I got a vanilla cutting like yours a couple of years ago, it just sat for 3-4 months before taking off, so be patient. a couple of years later, mine is 12 feet long, wrapped around a tall pyramid trellis, and has several babies made from it. I'm not sure I'd soak any orchid in water for a couple of days, but I'm no expert by any meats. I just water mine once a week. I found small trellises at Lowes, outside where they have plants and pots.