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Thread: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

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    100+ Post Member frogluver's Avatar
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    Default Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    It has been cold this year here in Fairbanks, Alaska (the coldest temp being -45 in my area, much colder in others). We recently got done with the longest cold snap of the season so far—it lasted 18 days— and now we’re gearing up for another colder, possibly longer one.

    Orginally, I was going to purchase plants online from Black Jungle Terrarium Supply for my 40gal vertical build (http://www.frogforum.net/vivarium-te...tree-frog.html), but due to the extreme cold, I’m not going to risk purchasing plants online. I don’t want to wait either for the temps to warm up because that could take a long time and I need to get the build done before I dive any further into the academic semester. So, I have to go with Plan B lol: purchase plants in town. Now, I know Petco sells plants, but their plants are rather small and fragile for a Whites. Holm Town Nursery and Lowes both sell plants too. I’ve decided I’m going to purchase from them. However, because their plants are treated with fertilizers and may have unwanted plant pests (i.e. aphids) what would be the best way to go about cleaning the plants and preparing them for terrarium use, thus making them “froggie safe”? Thanks in advance !!
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    Moderator DonLisk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    I buy many plants from local greenhouse and nurseries and I basically take the plants to either a bucket or my shower (don't tell my wife) and rinse the plant clean of any dirt around the roots, wipe down all the leaves, and rinse a few times to get the dormant bugs out. I just use tap water unless they are going straight into the viv. If so, just do a good final rinse with some spring water or declorinated tap water.

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    100+ Post Member frogluver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    Quote Originally Posted by DonLisk View Post
    I buy many plants from local greenhouse and nurseries and I basically take the plants to either a bucket or my shower (don't tell my wife) and rinse the plant clean of any dirt around the roots, wipe down all the leaves, and rinse a few times to get the dormant bugs out. I just use tap water unless they are going straight into the viv. If so, just do a good final rinse with some spring water or declorinated tap water.
    Haha! Thanks Don for your help and tips!
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    I'd suggest you wipe off as much of the dirt as possible into a bucket or outside before taking a shower with it. The dirt and perlite and other debris that you wash off can potentially do some drain clogging. Depends on how often you shower with your plants though.

    Inspect very carefully for aphids, spider mites, mealie bugs, etc. before you make the purchase, I've found some frightening colonies in some nurseries. A gentle wipe down with alcohol (baby wipes work well for this) or a very mild dish soap solution can help kill unwanted pests but I'd avoid anything with even a minor infestation unless really desperate for the plant or it's an amazing deal. Rinse again with water a few times before letting your frogs at it of course.

    After all the cleaning, I now check again for any hard debris like perlite and then get someone else to check again for me (having had an unfortunate perlite incident I'm overly cautious).

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    Super Moderator flybyferns's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    Quote Originally Posted by DonLisk View Post
    I buy many plants from local greenhouse and nurseries and I basically take the plants to either a bucket or my shower (don't tell my wife) and rinse the plant clean of any dirt around the roots, wipe down all the leaves, and rinse a few times to get the dormant bugs out. I just use tap water unless they are going straight into the viv. If so, just do a good final rinse with some spring water or declorinated tap water.
    Autumn,
    I do exactly the same thing Don does. However, since I am obsessive compulsive ( lol ),
    I wait 2 weeks or so before putting them into the enclosure.
    I keep all my plants in 4 " pots w/ Zoo-Med, eco-earth.
    ( Remember - I'm that annoying one that has NO substrate in my enclosure )

    "Don't tell " my husband. Actually , once I clogged the drain really good- needed the plumber ! Oh Boy !
    Lynn
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    Moderator DonLisk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    While removing the old substrate and Hydroballs from the Exo 18 x 18, I found tons of tiny 1 inch long centipedes living on the bottom in the Hydroballs. They had to be there for quite a long time since there were no plant changes since early last spring.

    As for showering with your plants, as long as your using AXE body soap your other half should be good with that. :-)

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    100+ Post Member frogluver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    Quote Originally Posted by UncleChester View Post
    A gentle wipe down with alcohol (baby wipes work well for this) or a very mild dish soap solution can help kill unwanted pests but I'd avoid anything with even a minor infestation unless really desperate for the plant or it's an amazing deal. Rinse again with water a few times before letting your frogs at it of course.
    You can actually do that? I didn't know....
    Thank you for your tips as well !

    Quote Originally Posted by flybyferns View Post
    Autumn,
    I do exactly the same thing Don does. However, since I am obsessive compulsive ( lol ),
    I wait 2 weeks or so before putting them into the enclosure.
    I keep all my plants in 4 " pots w/ Zoo-Med, eco-earth.
    ( Remember - I'm that annoying one that has NO substrate in my enclosure )

    "Don't tell " my husband. Actually , once I clogged the drain really good- needed the plumber ! Oh Boy !
    Lynn
    Hahahaha !! Too funny!!
    Thanks Lynn! I too can get obsessive compulsive (and my brother and sis get so annoyed with me sometimes lol) :P
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    100+ Post Member frogluver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    Quote Originally Posted by DonLisk View Post
    While removing the old substrate and Hydroballs from the Exo 18 x 18, I found tons of tiny 1 inch long centipedes living on the bottom in the Hydroballs. They had to be there for quite a long time since there were no plant changes since early last spring.

    As for showering with your plants, as long as your using AXE body soap your other half should be good with that. :-)
    Haha, I’ll keep that in mind Don lol !
    Are centipedes bad or harmful to frogs? I found several in my Wood frog viv a while ago…..
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    Moderator DonLisk's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    You definitely don't want them in there from what I hear.

  14. #10
    100+ Post Member frogluver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ridding Plants of Fertilizer

    Quote Originally Posted by DonLisk View Post
    You definitely don't want them in there from what I hear.
    Oh, I guess it's good that I removed them then!! Phew! o.o haha
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