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Live Plants
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by Crotalusssp on July 25, 2012
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So to get things moving a little and hopefully start an interesting discussion I would like some input on live plants.
I keep a pair of eyelash in 1n 18X18x30 terrarium. It is well decorated with fake plants etc. I do have natural light and artificial light (full spectrum type bulb for whatever that is worth). Can anyone give me some of their experiences with incorporating live plants? I would like to hear some cons besides the obvious additional maintenance. Potential species of plants that would be suitable. I am not a botanist by any stretch so I will do my homework with any suggestions. Thanks in advance for any input.
Charles
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RE: Live Plants
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by Peter84Jenkins on July 25, 2012
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I use golden pothos quite a bit in my planted terrariums, from the genis Epipremnum. I am still quite new to creating mini "bioms," but I have found this genus to contain lots of good useful plants. Pothos is also very hardy. I like it for jungle terrariums because it puts out vine like runners, which can be made to climb or creep low. I have one planted terrarium right now with pothos, and at this time I am drawing a blank on the other two species I planted, but will try and update this when I know.
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RE: Live Plants
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by BobH on July 25, 2012
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Pothos is a good choice. I want to think it is native to Costa Rica, if not it has certainly spread effectively.
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RE: Live Plants
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by KaouthiaKeeper on July 28, 2012
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All the live plants I put in my tanks end up dieing. I use regular potting soil as a substrate and plan them directly in the cage. I figured the reptile bulbs I got from petco would keep them alive but they always seem to die off. How are you guys lighting your tanks ? Also, do you water them or just let them get by on the mist you give your snakes ?
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RE: Live Plants
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by Peter84Jenkins on July 29, 2012
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This depends on the plant. You will want to prepare your soil depending on what species you are planting. Start your terrarium with a piece of cardboard or perhaps gardening cloth, to protect the botom glass. Then add a layer of pea gravel to give some terra firma for the roots of your plants. A depth of 2" on the gravel should work well. Then add your soil and your plants. Be sure to research the lighting requirements of the specie of plant you are using, then purchase a grow light that is suitable. Or, if you have the option, place your terrarium in a room that gets the required amount of light. Be sure that heat lamps are not so close to the tissue of the plants as to burn them. As far as watering..for a jungle or any kind of mesic (wet) environ, you will want to mist frequently for the purpose of humidity, but also water the plants every so often just like you would if it were potted and sitting on your desk. A piece of plexi covering most of the top vent will really help hold in humidity, or you can rig a rain system. I am also looking into a rain system, but have yet to implement one. A planted viveria looks beautiful, it creates oxygen in your tank, and it provides the animal with cover.
As far as cleaning, you will want to remove waste just like any other enclosure. Some feces can get inundated into the soil, but the urea can cause problems fro the plants if the ammonia levels in the soil get too high.
I am currently only working on one planted viveria, with Pothos, and I plant to add some mosses as well. Live moss, not the frog moss from petco.
I have never made a desert viveria, so I can not comment on that subject.
Obviously, your desert potting mix will be different and so will the lighting and watering requirements.
This is a learning process for me too, so if any one else has something to add, or perhaps I am incorrect about something, please do chime in.
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RE: Live Plants
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by Agkistrodoncomplex on July 30, 2012
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I have had alot of luck with pothos in planted terrariums for geckos and treefrogs. The plant is very forgiving with its lighting and watering requirements and can quickly climb and fill in terrariums making for attractive display cages. I have also had luck with some of the smaller bromeliads from the genus Neoregelia, they do well in tropical type vivariums.
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RE: Live Plants
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by FSB on September 4, 2012
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My personal philosophy re. live plants in exhibits (I never use them in holding) is to use ones that are easily replaced when (not if) they die. Bunches of plastic leaves make attractive shelters for my home collection and are easily cleaned.
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RE: Live Plants
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by Atheris333 on September 5, 2012
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Here is a small list of what I could think of off the top of my head. Placement is imperative for a lot of these so some research is required (as with anything else we do). Anyways most of these should work fine for you.
Schefflera arboricol, Ficus Benjamin, Hibiscus spp, Dieffenbachia spp, dracaenas, ferns, philodendrons (e.g Monstera deliciosa), Scindapsus, Ficus Pumila, Bromeliads ( some Neoregelia spp., Guzmania spp., Aechmea spp Vriesa spp. Etc.), Cryptanthus, Aglaonem, Aphelandra, Chlorophytum, Sansevieria.
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