Questions about plants and cleaning

[ChamQuestions]

Some final questions before I have a complete set-up plan...
I am debating if a live plant or plants would be worth it for my future enclosure. The benefits of plants, that I have heard of, are something like this (my concerns will be in brackets next to the benefits):
1) Naturalistic (I like the idea of my Cham being in a familiar environment. However, do chameleons thrive just as fine with artificial plants as long as they are placed correctly and big enough?)
2) Keeping up humidity (Would this still benefit a veiled chameleon if they require less humidity than a panther? And would it even be much of a benefit for a panther, for that matter? I ask because I will be getting a mist king anyways, which I feel may defeat the purpose.)
3) Food source (I hear that only veileds like to eat them, and that is the kind that I am less likely to get anyways. Aside from that, do veileds do just as well without plants? And will it be hard to keep a plant alive if it is being eaten?)
Because of those concerns, I am unsure if the pros outway the cons for me as a beginner. Also, keep in mind that if I do end up getting a plant, it will probably be a Pothos as I hear that they are low-light (meaning that I wouldn’t need a third bulb) and fairly easy to maintain. Would anyone disagree with that?
As usual, I appreciate all input!

 

[snitz427]

Pothos are great but I think Shefflera Arb. (Umbrella tree) is becoming a favorite because it serves so many purposes! Lots of foilage/privacy, lots of sturdy vertical climbing surface, and great water retention!

I much prefer live plants, they make everything feel more... realistic I guess.

 

[Kaizen]

My vote is for live plants. And don’t worry about veileds eating them: mine take an occasional nibble here and there, but they never feast on them like they do on bugs.

 

[ChamQuestions]

Pothos are great but I think Shefflera Arb. (Umbrella tree) is becoming a favorite because it serves so many purposes! Lots of foilage/privacy, lots of sturdy vertical climbing surface, and great water retention!

I much prefer live plants, they make everything feel more... realistic I guess.

Sorry for replying late. Anyways, do you know if Umbrella Trees require an extra lightbulb to keep alive? Because, if not, then they sound like a good option.

 

[snitz427]

Sorry for replying late. Anyways, do you know if Umbrella Trees require an extra lightbulb to keep alive? Because, if not, then they sound like a good option.

Nope, your cham lighing will be fine. They will tolerate a range of lighting conditions in my experience.

 

[jamest0o0]

Do you have a window near? IME they inevitably get attacked by aphids and other pests when they don't get enough light.

 

[Char333p]

You'll eventually look at your enclosure with all fake stuff and actually change your mind seeing how much live plants make it look better and feel better for your cham. Along with the pros... I wouldn't also get too hung up on the differences in humidity between panther an veiled.. either or you'll still need the humidity to be relatively higher then normal conditions. The plants just extend the humidity time after misting as well as keep it at a steady amount.
The pothos is super super easy and grows quickly with low light if you even just wanna start with one plant that's one of the best. You can train the vines to go where you want. They can be walked on and the leaves fill in amazingly.. you'll find the pros if even just with looks outweighs the cons. The umbrella tree also great option as a larger tree type plant

 

[ChamQuestions]

Do you have a window near? IME they inevitably get attacked by aphids and other pests when they don't get enough light.

Where I'm thinking of placing the enclosure, it will be right up against a window, yes. The only problem is that the window is a bit drafty, so I might have to scrap the plan or just cover the cracks in the window with foam or something. Also, assuming that you live in the U.S., you might have different pests to worry about. I haven't hard of plants getting attacked if they don't get enough light. But then again, who knows?

 

[jamest0o0]

Where I'm thinking of placing the enclosure, it will be right up against a window, yes. The only problem is that the window is a bit drafty, so I might have to scrap the plan or just cover the cracks in the window with foam or something. Also, assuming that you live in the U.S., you might have different pests to worry about. I haven't hard of plants getting attacked if they don't get enough light. But then again, who knows?

Im pretty sure aphids are a pretty common pest throughout the world? Low light stresses plants which leaves them vulnerable.

 

[ChamQuestions]

Im pretty sure aphids are a pretty common pest throughout the world? Low light stresses plants which leaves them vulnerable.

I was referring to the "other pests" you mentioned. We do have aphids though, yes.

 

[jamest0o0]

Ahhh by other, could be anything from spider mites to mealybugs

 

[ChamQuestions]

Oh, and I just realized, that I never included the "cleaning" part in this post. Whoops! As for that, I was wondering if things like branches, vines, and artificial plants need to be cleaned in a chameleon enclosure or if it is only substrate.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

Oh, and I just realized, that I never included the "cleaning" part in this post. Whoops! As for that, I was wondering if things like branches, vines, and artificial plants need to be cleaned in a chameleon enclosure or if it is only substrate.

Yes those need to be cleaned as well. My cham poops all over it.

 

[ChamQuestions]

Yes those need to be cleaned as well. My cham poops all over it.

Just spot cleaning?

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

Just spot cleaning?

I tear my enclosure apart every month for a deep clean

 

[Beman]

So if it is fake or real it has to be cleaned. You don't want left over urate or stool where the cham will be walking through it. I spot clean every day and then do a deep clean every weekend. I vote for all real. My main reasoning is well it is plastic.... Most people use some form of cotton sheets. What if you slapped on plastic sheets. How good would that feel to roll around in?
I think it is the same for a cham. Why would they want to rub against plastic. Also if you have a cham that likes to nibble and young panthers will do this every now and again too. Veileds will do it all the time.. If that cham were to tear off a piece of the fake plant and ingest it then it could be a potential for danger. Plastic also drys out much quicker then real plants.

 

[ChamQuestions]

I tear my enclosure apart every month for a deep clean

Where do you put your cham until then? Also, I'm planning on making at least my substrate bioactive, so would that affect it?

 

[ChamQuestions]

My main reasoning is well it is plastic.... Most people use some form of cotton sheets. What if you slapped on plastic sheets. How good would that feel to roll around in?
If that cham were to tear off a piece of the fake plant and ingest it then it could be a potential for danger. .

Good points.

 

[jamest0o0]

I never clean... I pop leaves off if poop is on it and throw it down to the substrate. If it's a large leaf, I just clean the leaf with some vinegar or soap and then rinse.

 

[Beman]

I never clean... I pop leaves off if poop is on it and throw it down to the substrate. If it's a large leaf, I just clean the leaf with some vinegar or soap and then rinse.

I have bioactive and CUC envy