How do you provide nutrients for your plants?

[Decadancin]

So a recent thread about plant issues brought up a unique way of fertilizing plants in enclosures. I'd love to hear what you are doing to provide for the plants! I mean, we are all gardening at the same time as keeping reptiles and amphibians if we choose to incorporate live plants, so how do you make them thrive?

Of course lighting and moisture are key, and I'd love to know what works best for you, and I am aware that many of us swap plants out to increase success, and there are some who even have bio-active set ups that create totally different circumstances, but how do you provide for your plants nutrients?

Lets see some of the great techniques that you are using to get the best results!!!

 

[Angelwolf]

I just recently set Emma up on a bioactive set up. I will post some information. (But for anyone who doesn't agree with my keeping methods, please keep your negative comments to yourself. I am an experienced keeper with many years of success keeping a multitude of reptiles.)

Cage:
Type- Vented glass Exo-Terra
Size- 36x36x18

Substrate layers (From the bottom up):
Large diameter fish gravel- like the kind of rocks they use for ponds. Each rock is about 1 inch in diameter.
Vinyl Screen from the hardware store, cut to fit.
Organic Potting Soil
Wild Moss which covers part of the surface of the enclosure. This prevents ingestion of the soil, but still allows areas for digging/laying eggs. Was harvested from deep in the woods on 30 acres of a friend's private property, knowing 100%--NEVER exposed to pesticides/chemicals/etc.

Plants:
Yellow Pothos vines covering about 80% of the cage and growing like mad!
Venus Fly Trap
Wild Moss
Wild Ferns

Bioactivity:
Isopods
Springtails
A couple earthworms that must have been in the soil

Ventilation:
I have a small personal desk fan sitting on the top of the screen above the enclosure which is on the timer with the lights, so when they are on, the fan is on. This pulls fresh cool air into the bottom of the cage through the vents and the chimney effect allows for natural warming and rising of the air, then the fan on top facilitates in keeping fresh air in the enclosure, instead of recycling the same stagnant air. The pothos plants give off lots of oxygen, which is a natural healthy added benefit.

Lighting:
Reptisun 5.0 Linear 24" bulb directly on top of the cage
50w Incandescent Household bulb for basking

Temps/Humidity:
Basking area: 84*F 30-40% humidity
Temperate area: 78*F 40-50% humidity
Cool Ambient area: 70*F 70%+ humidity

Drainage:
I have a piece of fish tank airline tubing run down behind the background decor under the large gravel. About once a week, I attach a 60mL syringe to the end of the tubing and pull out all the water. I usually get about half a gallon out.

Misting:
2-3 times daily with a pressurized sprayer for 5 minutes minimum.

Cham stats:
8 month old female Yemen
89g at last weigh in
Poops are normal, formed well, and urates are always white
She uses the entire cage on a daily basis, and typically sleeps in the middle range.

Cage Placement:
Away from windows, on a 24" tall table in a corner of our living room, right next to the basement door. She is used to the moderate amount of traffic which doesn't bother her at all anymore. Emma is very friendly and enjoys time outside with me.



So, thus far, I have not added any nutrients to my plants. They don't need it. And in a properly balanced bioactive setup, the theory is that it should be unnecessary. The poop from the cham and microfauna place nutrients into the soil. The plant roots use the nutrients and produce oxygen. The cham breathes in the oxygen and eats the leaves, thrives, and replaces poop/nutrients into the soil. Excess waste/moisture is removed via drainage of excess water. The cycle continues and the cham thrives. It's very similar to keeping saltwater fish. You are creating a small slice of ocean/forest, and if all parts are properly balanced, a mini-ecosystem is in place. If I had to find a way to add nutrients to the soil, I would most likely just add a layer of fresh organic soil, or possibly some organic mushroom compost. HOWEVER, as I stated, it should not be necessary, unless something is out of balance, therefore the real problem needs to be identified and fixed, otherwise, the entire ecosystem WILL fail.

 

[Char333p]

Since we all try to make it as natural as possible, using sterile/organic soils to keep our chameleons safe from toxic fertilizers, you come to the realization of where your plants going to get the nutrients they need to thrive.

When i first potted my plants i used established aquarium water. Fish waste when properly cycled turns into everything a plant needs to thrive. Giving them Nitrogens, Phosphorus, Potassium and beneficial bacterias that are needed for plant growth.

I did think about the safety of my chameleon introducing anything new is a scary thought. I was careful to be certain the water was clean and fish are healthy, I didnt see any risk to his health, as i was making sure the water went directly into the soil and not left as a drinking source on leaves or such.

Our kind thread poster @Decadancin, thought the idea was interesting, an i am honored. Thanks.

 

[Goose502]

I just recently set Emma up on a bioactive set up. I will post some information. (But for anyone who doesn't agree with my keeping methods, please keep your negative comments to yourself. I am an experienced keeper with many years of success keeping a multitude of reptiles.)

Cage:
Type- Vented glass Exo-Terra
Size- 36x36x18

Substrate layers (From the bottom up):
Large diameter fish gravel- like the kind of rocks they use for ponds. Each rock is about 1 inch in diameter.
Vinyl Screen from the hardware store, cut to fit.
Organic Potting Soil
Wild Moss which covers part of the surface of the enclosure. This prevents ingestion of the soil, but still allows areas for digging/laying eggs. Was harvested from deep in the woods on 30 acres of a friend's private property, knowing 100%--NEVER exposed to pesticides/chemicals/etc.

Plants:
Yellow Pothos vines covering about 80% of the cage and growing like mad!
Venus Fly Trap
Wild Moss
Wild Ferns

Bioactivity:
Isopods
Springtails
A couple earthworms that must have been in the soil

Ventilation:
I have a small personal desk fan sitting on the top of the screen above the enclosure which is on the timer with the lights, so when they are on, the fan is on. This pulls fresh cool air into the bottom of the cage through the vents and the chimney effect allows for natural warming and rising of the air, then the fan on top facilitates in keeping fresh air in the enclosure, instead of recycling the same stagnant air. The pothos plants give off lots of oxygen, which is a natural healthy added benefit.

Lighting:
Reptisun 5.0 Linear 24" bulb directly on top of the cage
50w Incandescent Household bulb for basking

Temps/Humidity:
Basking area: 84*F 30-40% humidity
Temperate area: 78*F 40-50% humidity
Cool Ambient area: 70*F 70%+ humidity

Drainage:
I have a piece of fish tank airline tubing run down behind the background decor under the large gravel. About once a week, I attach a 60mL syringe to the end of the tubing and pull out all the water. I usually get about half a gallon out.

Misting:
2-3 times daily with a pressurized sprayer for 5 minutes minimum.

Cham stats:
8 month old female Yemen
89g at last weigh in
Poops are normal, formed well, and urates are always white
She uses the entire cage on a daily basis, and typically sleeps in the middle range.

Cage Placement:
Away from windows, on a 24" tall table in a corner of our living room, right next to the basement door. She is used to the moderate amount of traffic which doesn't bother her at all anymore. Emma is very friendly and enjoys time outside with me.



So, thus far, I have not added any nutrients to my plants. They don't need it. And in a properly balanced bioactive setup, the theory is that it should be unnecessary. The poop from the cham and microfauna place nutrients into the soil. The plant roots use the nutrients and produce oxygen. The cham breathes in the oxygen and eats the leaves, thrives, and replaces poop/nutrients into the soil. Excess waste/moisture is removed via drainage of excess water. The cycle continues and the cham thrives. It's very similar to keeping saltwater fish. You are creating a small slice of ocean/forest, and if all parts are properly balanced, a mini-ecosystem is in place. If I had to find a way to add nutrients to the soil, I would most likely just add a layer of fresh organic soil, or possibly some organic mushroom compost. HOWEVER, as I stated, it should not be necessary, unless something is out of balance, therefore the real problem needs to be identified and fixed, otherwise, the entire ecosystem WILL fail.

I use the exact same setup. Looks like I have way more soil though(it mounds up towards the rear). And I used volcanic rock as a drainage layer as it is much lighter than rocks. I used to fertilize with liquid miracle grow, no need really now, having bioactive soil takes care of all that.

 

[Angelwolf]

My soil does angle up towards the back too. You just can't really see it.

 

[SharpShooter]

Since we all try to make it as natural as possible, using sterile/organic soils to keep our chameleons safe from toxic fertilizers, you come to the realization of where your plants going to get the nutrients they need to thrive.

When i first potted my plants i used established aquarium water. Fish waste when properly cycled turns into everything a plant needs to thrive. Giving them Nitrogens, Phosphorus, Potassium and beneficial bacterias that are needed for plant growth.

I did think about the safety of my chameleon introducing anything new is a scary thought. I was careful to be certain the water was clean and fish are healthy, I didnt see any risk to his health, as i was making sure the water went directly into the soil and not left as a drinking source on leaves or such.

Our kind thread poster @Decadancin, thought the idea was interesting, an i am honored. Thanks.

My setup is almost the same as @Angelwolf and I notice in the pics a marine tank setup. I also have 2 marine setups and often wondered if using the fish waste collected by the protein skimmer would work. My main concern with that would be the salinty and any effect that might have on the cleanup crew in Bob's viv.

 

[Remkon]

So far I havent used any fertilizer, I have jungle dawn lights and a bioactive soil and a good drainage system.

If I ever feel the need for fetilization there are these coneshaped fetilizer tablets you can push in the dirt near the root of the plant, it should be safe for the chameleon.

 

[Angelwolf]

It depends on if there come things are chemical-based, or natural. I would stay away from those, as i think they are chemical. You want more natural things like compost or manure mixes. Things you would use if you wanted a fully organic crop from your garden.

 

[Darthroastcoffee]

What about plants that aren’t in a bio active setup?

 

[Chameleomom]

A friend showed me you can save banana peels and cut them up in small pieces and put in a jar with water.. Close the lid and wait a week. Open and strain the water thru a colander and put on your plants......they grow like crazy

 

[Char333p]

My setup is almost the same as @Angelwolf and I notice in the pics a marine tank setup. I also have 2 marine setups and often wondered if using the fish waste collected by the protein skimmer would work. My main concern with that would be the salinty and any effect that might have on the cleanup crew in Bob's viv.

Thats a good question. Personally i have freshwater. Never thought of using a marine type. Let me look into that. My cousin is practically a botanist an works with salt water reefs.

So he got back to me quickly. He said yes its possible, but wouldnt recommend it. It is very easy to over do it.

 

[andrearamirezo91]

Since we all try to make it as natural as possible, using sterile/organic soils to keep our chameleons safe from toxic fertilizers, you come to the realization of where your plants going to get the nutrients they need to thrive.

When i first potted my plants i used established aquarium water. Fish waste when properly cycled turns into everything a plant needs to thrive. Giving them Nitrogens, Phosphorus, Potassium and beneficial bacterias that are needed for plant growth.

I did think about the safety of my chameleon introducing anything new is a scary thought. I was careful to be certain the water was clean and fish are healthy, I didnt see any risk to his health, as i was making sure the water went directly into the soil and not left as a drinking source on leaves or such.

Our kind thread poster @Decadancin, thought the idea was interesting, an i am honored. Thanks.

I was about to say. Fishtank water is the BEST. I currently don’t have any fish tanks as I had to take mine down, but I used to always water my plants with my fish tank water and they were all thriving and growing like weeds. Everyone that came to my house had something to say about my plants. Ever since I got rid of my fish tank they don’t look quite the same.

 

[SharpShooter]

Thats a good question. Personally i have freshwater. Never thought of using a marine type. Let me look into that. My cousin is practically a botanist an works with salt water reefs.

So he got back to me quickly. He said yes its possible, but wouldnt recommend it. It is very easy to over do it.

I'm sure the waste would be OK but it's suspended in salt water.

 

[Angelwolf]

My personal thoughts is that it would be too salty if you used saltwater. You will burn the plants and accumulate salt creep on the surface of the soil. And that could be potentially harmful if ingested.

 

[Angelwolf]

What about plants that aren’t in a bio active setup?

I would say it's best to keep them potted and repot them annually

 

[Decadancin]

Any other suggestions?