Orchids from lll reptile?

[drmdrm25]

I was looking into getting a Orchid for Oscar my veiled chameleon. I was wondering what all i'll need to keep the plant alive. And how hard they are to keep alive.

 

[Matthew G]

I personally would not order an orchid in the mail because they are some what delicate. Otherwise, get some fertilizer free top soil from Lowes, Home Depot, ect... I find top soil to work best for them. For watering just keep the soil moist. A trick to doing this is putting ice cubes on top of the soil. The ice cubes will slowly melt and not flood the soil. And finally to make it chameleon safe put some rocks on top of the soil big enough so that your chameleon can not swallow them.

 

[drmdrm25]

I personally would not order an orchid in the mail because they are some what delicate. Otherwise, get some fertilizer free top soil from Lowes, Home Depot, ect... I find top soil to work best for them. For watering just keep the soil moist. A trick to doing this is putting ice cubes on top of the soil. The ice cubes will slowly melt and not flood the soil. And finally to make it chameleon safe put some rocks on top of the soil big enough so that your chameleon can not swallow them.

Would you recommend any of the other live plants off of lll reptile?

 

[CarlC]

What species of orchid are you thinking about? The species will dictate the care.

Carl

 

[drmdrm25]

What species of orchid are you thinking about? The species will dictate the care.

Carl

LLL reptile website doesn't say.

 

[Matthew G]

Theres nothing wrong with ordering a plant offline, the only thing is it might be damaged in shipping. Plus if you get a plant at a local store you can pick out which one you like.

 

[Lancecham]

Ficus plants work well.

 

[drmdrm25]

Ficus plants work well.

I was going to get a fiscus but shipping is expensive, and I'm trying to use up this gift card I got and it wouldn't cover the cost of a fiscus.

 

[xraygirl]

It really depends on the type of orchid. Some like lots of light, some don't. Some like lots of water, some don't. I personally do not recommend soil for orchids (the 'orchid potting soil' sold at stores is awful, don't buy it), they need lots of drainage. Using lava rocks, bark mix, hydroton (clay balls), or mounting it to something and wrapping the base of the plant with stretched out panty hose (more delicate for roots than fishing line). Planting in hydroton or mounting them reduces gnats, root rot, and over watering.

I've ordered orchids online, but it's risky business. You never know what other critters your getting in that orchid. I bought a orchid online once and the sucker was infested with spider mites, ended up just getting rid of the entire plant than risking my collection with them. I go to Home Depot and lowes a lot and I hit up the 'clearance' rack of almost dead orchids. Most times they are just very thirsty... But you have to inspect them carefully, looking under leaves, pulling the moss back for bugs, rotten roots, etc. I go to plant festivals, orchid society shows, or orchid greenhouses to buy my plants.

Also, if water sits in the crown of the plant, it can rot and in most cases, it dies. Careful placement of the plant to prevent over watering or water getting into the crown of the plant will be essential, as well as lighting.

I don't have any of my orchids in with Chief, he has his fake ones and he sleeps on one every night lol

 

[drmdrm25]

It really depends on the type of orchid. Some like lots of light, some don't. Some like lots of water, some don't. I personally do not recommend soil for orchids (the 'orchid potting soil' sold at stores is awful, don't buy it), they need lots of drainage. Using lava rocks, bark mix, hydroton (clay balls), or mounting it to something and wrapping the base of the plant with stretched out panty hose (more delicate for roots than fishing line). Planting in hydroton or mounting them reduces gnats, root rot, and over watering.

I've ordered orchids online, but it's risky business. You never know what other critters your getting in that orchid. I bought a orchid online once and the sucker was infested with spider mites, ended up just getting rid of the entire plant than risking my collection with them. I go to Home Depot and lowes a lot and I hit up the 'clearance' rack of almost dead orchids. Most times they are just very thirsty... But you have to inspect them carefully, looking under leaves, pulling the moss back for bugs, rotten roots, etc. I go to plant festivals, orchid society shows, or orchid greenhouses to buy my plants.

Also, if water sits in the crown of the plant, it can rot and in most cases, it dies. Careful placement of the plant to prevent over watering or water getting into the crown of the plant will be essential, as well as lighting.

I don't have any of my orchids in with Chief, he has his fake ones and he sleeps on one every night lol

What about succulents?

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/terrarium-decor-and-live-plants/living-plants-and-tillandsias/-/assorted-live-succulent-plants/

 

[xraygirl]

I struggle a bit with my succulents... I'm a heavy waterer so I have to be careful with them. I have all mine in a super high drainage soil because I've rotted quite a few the past two years.

 

[kevbek]

I was going to get a fiscus but shipping is expensive, and I'm trying to use up this gift card I got and it wouldn't cover the cost of a fiscus.

You can get a ficus tree for under 10 dollars at your local orchard supply store!

 

[ragingreefer]

Home Depot always seems to have some nice looking orchids if you are sent on an orchid.