Which soil is suitable for vanilla farming?

Vanilla crop can be grown in various types of soils from sandy loam to laterites, but it grows well in loose and friable soils with any type of loamy texture and it requires high organic matter content in the soil for better production. The soil should have a well drainage facility with the lands having a gentle slope and the pH of the soil should range between 6.5 to 7.5. Vanilla cultivation in Western Ghats is best suited as the soils are rich in organic matter and humus and they also have good drainage facilities. For commercial cultivation of the crop, soil test is essential.