Cage Needs

[theresaintucson]

I'm a retired floral designer so decorating my chameleon's cages really appeals to me. Of course I think of THEIR needs first. I was wondering if there's a problem using silk foliage garlands like the kinds that can be found at Hobby Lobby, Joann's etc.? They can be bought for far less money than the silk and plastic foliage reptile suppliers sell. I'd wash them before using them in case any of it bleeds or it got dirty in transit. I read in a book how grapevine wreaths can be untied and used in a cage. I think that could be very functional as well as beautiful.
Also if anyone has a good idea of how to hang a live pothos plant to the top of a 24x24x48 inch screen sided cage, I'd appreciate it. How are wooden dowels attached to the screen sides? Thanks!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I use silk plants in my cages, just wash them well before use and it should be fine. Use some that are sturdy enough that if a curious cham tried to munch on them it wouldn't be able to actually tear a piece off. Grapevines do look very nice and offer a lot of variation in perch size, which is good for their feet. I've seen some people put a dowel on the top and outside of the cage that's wider than the frame and string wire through the screen to hang plants. Personally I've considered hanging the pot from wires attached to each corner for stability and not too much weight on one point of the frame - but I haven't tried it yet. There are some threads on attached horizontal branches/dowels from the screen sides if you want to search for them. Usually people secure them with thumb tacks or small nails from the outside of the screen on the end of the dowel. Hope that helps, would love to see your cage when you're done designing!

 

[theresaintucson]

I neglected to mention that I love real plants like pothos in my cages. Not only is pothos a hardy plant, it grows fast and I like the look of it. I do use some real plants to help keep humidity up.

 

[Ionstorm]

I use the silk plants from the hobby type stores in alot of my reptiles tanks. They receive a good wash before I put them into the cages and I havent had any problems yet. I currently use them in my chameleon and crested gecko tanks.

To me they are appealing since they are cheaper and provide more variety then the reptile stores.

 

[theresaintucson]

I use the silk plants from the hobby type stores in alot of my reptiles tanks. They receive a good wash before I put them into the cages and I havent had any problems yet. I currently use them in my chameleon and crested gecko tanks.

To me they are appealing since they are cheaper and provide more variety then the reptile stores.

Agreed! Thanks.

 

[gaxmode]

To hang my pothos from the top I place a metal rod on top of the frame (must be wider than cage) and ziptie the plant pots hanger to it.. Works like a charm and does not stress the screen

 

[theresaintucson]

Thanks gaxmode.