Fake or live plants?
- Thread starter Clint526
- Start date
ChamDE86
Avid Member
It is recommended that you re-pot your newly bought plant with organic soil, and then cover it with flat stones to prevent your chameleon from accidentally ingesting it. She may or may not have eaten some of it already, but why take that chance? If she eats enough it could lead to impaction. As for fake plants, that's all I use in Waldo's cage because I feel it is way cleaner and keeps the bugs/mites at bay for the most part. I also provide him with live plants for his free range so he gets both.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
The main problem with only using fake plants is that they don't help maintain the cage humidity levels as well as living plants in soil. Depending on the types of fakes you buy you need to watch them for mildew and mold buildup as your cage will be wet much of the time and your cham will eventually poop on them. Its easy enough to get rid of most commercial pesticides and fertilizing products by washing the plant and repotting it before using it. There are some systemic pesticides that can take months for the plant to get rid of, but if you don't have a cham who eats the leaves (such as most panthers) it may not be a huge threat. I think you can probably avoid plants that have been treated with these by questioning the shop's staff. Houseplant nurseries may know more about what their stock is treated with.
Action Jackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
Ouch! Poor plant. Bleach?
It doesn't harm them.... No different than you putting your hands in disinfectant them rinsing
Action Jackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
Ok, I know my hands don't like bleach. IMO this is excessive, rinsing the roots with a bleach water solution. Why? What am I missing? I wash new plants with soap water and rinse. I never repot plants, I usually srape off an inch or so of soil and put some organic potting soil on top and cover with rocks. I've never had a problem and I can't tell you how many plants and trees I've used in 20 years of Chameleon keeping. Not bagging on you, just sayin.
Kills bacteria, small animals, mold, fungi
Gwendalyn.brock
Established Member
I would wash and replant the live plant. I believe that a mixture of fake and real plants are good, a few live plants will help keep the humidity levels.
mvad
Established Member
Going as far as to bleach roots is a bit extreme. 1/2 the top soil and repot in organic soil with rocks covering the top is all that needs to be done (aside from washing the foliage with a mild soap). No need to use chemicals to prep a plant for a cham enclosure.
OP, Real plants not only look better but help grealy with humidity levels.
OP, Real plants not only look better but help grealy with humidity levels.
