Is this plant cham safe?

[turtlenick]

Hi,

I'm new here and I'm looking at getting a chameleon! I have this plant and I'm just wondering if it would make a good center piece in the cage?
It looks like maybe a corn plant but I'm not expert and would rather not take the risk. Also I understand there are more than one type of Dracaena.

https://plus.google.com/photos/1036...ms/5769145767039516001?authkey=CN7Ts6COqZnVEw

PS I know it doesn't look in great shape but no one waters it at the office and it will bounce back

 

[ReptileLover0423]

Yes all species of Dracaena are chameleon safe. Just make sure no one has used any type of plant food when watering.

 

[turtlenick]

Thanks! I was worried because this guide says it may be toxic.

If someone HAD used fertilizer or plant food, can I just re-plant it with fresh soil and it would be fine?

 

[froggielog]

Yup, I would personally wash all of the leaves and let it dry out in the sun too...
Also remember to cover the soil with large river rocks

 

[xeonic]

Some Info on Dracaena

According to the ASPCA website on Dracaena it is toxic.

Toxic Plants shouldn't be used in your enclosure if your Chameleon is a plant eater. Mildly toxic plants can be used depending on the plant.

As for the Fertilizer question, just change the soil to %100 organic soil and wash the leaves. If your Chameleon is a plant eater, to be safe allow the plant to sit in the organic soil 3 to 4 weeks.

I have never had to let my plants sit 3 to 4 weeks. But my chameleon doesn't eat plants.

 

[ReptileLover0423]

Toxic to dogs and cats.

 

[turtlenick]

Okay I wash the plant, change the soil and top with rocks, and let it sit for a few weeks. I'm not in any rush and I want to get the cage setup nicely before I get a cham anyways.

PS - would most florists or nurseries carry organic soil?

 

[ReptileLover0423]

Home Depot, Wal-Mart both carry organic soil. Also you should remove the plant from the soil completely then wash the roots off so they are clean and white. Then replant.

 

[shamelessw]

Question on fertiliser, basically they are naturally occurring elements that plants require to grow, so is it just the chameleon being in contact with them rather than the plant having access to them that would be the issue? I'm sure that pesticides would be a greater issue as these arent naturally occurring.?

 

[ReptileLover0423]

Some species of chameleons will eat the leaves. I know my female veiled nibbles on my pothos and schefflera arboricola plants. This is where if fertilizers were used the chameleon would also ingest them. Wouldn't be a good thing.

 

[Carlton]

Some species of chameleons will eat the leaves. I know my female veiled nibbles on my pothos and schefflera arboricola plants. This is where if fertilizers were used the chameleon would also ingest them. Wouldn't be a good thing.

Plants listed on a general "toxic" list may not be dangerous for a cham unless it eats the leaves, gets sap from a broken branch or torn leaf in its eye or mouth, or the plant releases some sort of skin irritant on its surface.

I think you meant to say that fertilizers may be toxic if they are sprayed on the leaves (and the cham licks up residues while drinking) or scattered on the soil surface where the cham might pick granules up on its tongue or eat the soil. Fertilizers absorbed through the roots or placed below the surface of the soil wouldn't necessarily make the plant toxic unless you plan to use some very concentrated or odd formulation.

A Dracena may not be a great cham cage plant if the leaves don't hold water droplets well or they are easily damaged if the cham climbs all over it. Don't know about that personally as I haven't used them.

 

[turtlenick]

According to this post they seem to be pretty good. The leaves themselves do not hold much weight but then not many plants do. I will put vines and branches around the plant.
Also there is a flat area on the top of the leaves because of their shape that would probably allow water to rest (though I haven't tried).

 

[turtlenick]

Heh, I just did some googling and found this post that says not to use a corn plant w/ chameleon. They say the poo and water mix in the crevices made by the leaves and make for a not-so-nice situation.

 

[shamelessw]

Thanks Carlton, I suppose it's my roundabout way of getting that point across, as long as a fertiliser with the normal N-P-K ratio is used in the planting media it should be safe to feed your plants as well as your animals. Just ensure the Chemicals aren't in direct contact with your animal

 

[Carlton]

Heh, I just did some googling and found this post that says not to use a corn plant w/ chameleon. They say the poo and water mix in the crevices made by the leaves and make for a not-so-nice situation.

Thanks for that image! Scheffleras can do that too!