Ferns

[Lizardlover]

Does anyone have experience with ferns in pygmy vivs, I have heard that they dont acclimate well. Anyone have any insight for me? Thanks

 

[hallenhe]

I've had several ferns, that were already potted plants (i.e., were adjusted to "captivity" fail to thrive in my pygmy terrarium. It was primarily a matter of the light level being rather higher than the ferns like (even a Reptisun 2.0 at so close a distance is more than a shade plant wants). If you can give them enough shade (dense overstory plantings), it might work, or you can give a fern a month in the cage, then replace it with another and put it in a shadier environment to recuperate. You might also try growing them from spores (the little dots, sometimes lines, on the underside of the fronds; some ferns, like the cinnamon fern have specialized, cinnamon-colored, spore-bearing structures). Scrape some of these of the plant onto moistened substrate. I've grown ferns in this manner for several months under fairly high light, and the exposure from the very beginning might acclimate them.

 

[Lizardlover]

Wow thanks, I will try the spores and the plant itself. My pygmy viv has a dark side so when I do put in a fern Ill be sure to put it in the dark side

 

[james L]

Growing ferns from spores takes forever! Have fun with that.

 

[Fidel]

I've had good luck with rabbit's foot ferns in the past.

 

[Champhibians]

I've had good luck with rabbit's foot ferns in the past.

I have as well. I have a couple in my pygmy tanks now.

 

[Fal]

This was a helpful thread as was thinking of ferns too, thanks folks!

 

[blueta]

I don't have any chameleons but I have had dart frogs which seem to be similar to pygmy cham vivariums. What I was able to use was, lemon button fern (small), ET fern (an awesome looking fern), Rabbits foot fern (a great epiphyte), resurrection fern (another epiphyte that can be harder to get ahold of and doesn't like to be wet all the time but does well). Another one I've had luck with and is easy to get is Microsorum grossum.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

i bought 3 asparagus ferns from a tropical plant place. they are not toxic at all, and are just sprouting like mad in my crested geck cages and pygmy tanks. they are under 5.0 cfls for my geckos, and under a regular 6500k tube for my pygmy, not under shade but all open. theyre doing awsome