Shes eating the white pebble things in the soil...!
- Thread starter fox3060
- Start date
chamlover
New Member
When you get a new plant, from what i've read, you should dispose of the soil, wash the roots, and replant with organic soil. Eating the soil usually means a dietary deficiency. The white things i believe are perlite and as long as she passes them shouldn't be a problem. Do you know if they used fertilizer? If they did, they recommend waiting at least 3 mos before placing it in the cage. Of course i am a worry wart and don't want to take the chance.
Debby
Debby
CammieNLeno
New Member
Did you replant them with organic soil or is this just the "stock" plants from when you purchased them? The little white balls are usually perlite - but can be other things as well depending on the soil. (styrafoam, etc)
If you did NOT replant the soil with organic - then yes, Your cham might be in trouble here, especially if you observed him actually ingesting them. It is used as fertilizer and typically contains the following: ammoniacal Nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, various phosphates, soluble potash.
If the chemicals dont kill her, she is at risk of impaction as well.
I would start researching vet resources asap.
If you did NOT replant the soil with organic - then yes, Your cham might be in trouble here, especially if you observed him actually ingesting them. It is used as fertilizer and typically contains the following: ammoniacal Nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, various phosphates, soluble potash.
If the chemicals dont kill her, she is at risk of impaction as well.
I would start researching vet resources asap.
AFH
Avid Member
If you're kind of lazy like me and don't want to do the whole resoil the plant thing, you can use decent size river stones on top of the soil. It lets the water in, but the chams can't get to the soil. Of course, you should always thoroughly rinse the leaves and soil first before putting in the cage.
I agree with C&L. Eating those perilite things is bad. Hopefully he didn't get too many and the ones he did will pass without much digestion.
I agree with C&L. Eating those perilite things is bad. Hopefully he didn't get too many and the ones he did will pass without much digestion.
fox3060
New Member
Ok, so I've seen her only eat two of those perlite stones. I'm gonna set up a small cage with no soil and just plastic plant litter so I can keep an eye on her for a few days.
I'll keep track of her cricket consumption and defecation for a while to make sure things are passing through properly. the stones weren't very large, bout the size of the "smilies" off to the right >>>
Thanks for the info, BTW I did repot the plants with a mix of cheap potting soil and some miracle grow soil. I mixed it all up and this was roughly 2 months ago, so I'd assume the soil has lost most of the nutrients....
I'll keep track of her cricket consumption and defecation for a while to make sure things are passing through properly. the stones weren't very large, bout the size of the "smilies" off to the right >>>
Thanks for the info, BTW I did repot the plants with a mix of cheap potting soil and some miracle grow soil. I mixed it all up and this was roughly 2 months ago, so I'd assume the soil has lost most of the nutrients....
Vibrant Chameleons
Avid Member
Ok, so I've seen her only eat two of those perlite stones. I'm gonna set up a small cage with no soil and just plastic plant litter so I can keep an eye on her for a few days.
I'll keep track of her cricket consumption and defecation for a while to make sure things are passing through properly. the stones weren't very large, bout the size of the "smilies" off to the right >>>
Thanks for the info, BTW I did repot the plants with a mix of cheap potting soil and some miracle grow soil. I mixed it all up and this was roughly 2 months ago, so I'd assume the soil has lost most of the nutrients....
Miracle grow soil is definitely not organic soil. I'd re pot that plant with organic asap. Miracle grow is a fertilizer.
Vibrant Chameleons
Avid Member
Dankmeleon
New Member
all soil is mostly organic, the ones that aren't are not because they are composed with chemical ferts and other wetting agents etc, in the amounts that you water, your chameleon is not going to be harmed from run off water from your time release fertilizor.
you should always keep the top of your plants covered esp with smaller chameleons, once they get big its mostly a non issue
the run off with go to the floor and will be in such small amounts, i don't know about you but a cham with a healthy cage doesn't chill much on the floor, and the plants with better nutrition is a great trade off.
sure organics has its perks, but why bother
are you going to be using organic fertilizors as well?
now you are talking about more work than chameleon husbandry and one must choose the path that works best for him, maybe if you have a bunch of fresh nutrients mixed up than you'd be fine but most people don't
fox farm big bloom, is a product i can't reccomend more, goodbye
you should always keep the top of your plants covered esp with smaller chameleons, once they get big its mostly a non issue
the run off with go to the floor and will be in such small amounts, i don't know about you but a cham with a healthy cage doesn't chill much on the floor, and the plants with better nutrition is a great trade off.
sure organics has its perks, but why bother
are you going to be using organic fertilizors as well?
now you are talking about more work than chameleon husbandry and one must choose the path that works best for him, maybe if you have a bunch of fresh nutrients mixed up than you'd be fine but most people don't
fox farm big bloom, is a product i can't reccomend more, goodbye
