the ultimate (?) plant thread

[NickHendrix007]

Hey ya'll! I've moved on to the plant planning for my 20gal long FBT tank. I came across genus Platystele which are types of orchids. They are miniature in size, making them (I think.... Bill does this make sense?) ideal for smaller enclosures such as a mini desktops, 10, or 20 gal enclosure. Plus, quite a few I've researched enjoy wet, humid environments and can also function as epyphitics (sp?) I have a huge list of plants I'm slowly pruning down (pun intended) into a smaller list so that I can fit everything into my tank without looking overcrowded. Here's a site I've been using to check out some possible platystele types ----> Platystele

Tons of 'em!!! Enjoy and hope it helps someone!

[irThumper]

Ok, well I had a dieffenbachia in with one of my visiting Pacific chorus/tree frogs, and it didn't seem to harm her any, so I went out and picked up (saved really) a couple more, along with a few other plants, from a local grocery store. They were keeping houseplants in an outdoor display and way over watering the poor things, plus the night time temps have been WAY too cold for them! Anyway, I started researching the plants more and I came across info that said these were very toxic... "All parts of a Dieffenbachia Plant contain calcium oxalate, a chemical that irritates the skin." The sap is particularly poisonous. Should I opt out of keeping these guys in with my WTFs since they ingest things through their skin? Everyone uses pothos, which are also toxic (though apparently not to the frogs?) and I imagine frogs are all over these things in their native habitat too so... keep the dieffenbachias for the frogs, or...?

I also picked up some dracaenas (Janet Craig and Lemon Lime) and I guess they are generally safe. I got three Sanseverias (Snake Plant) but was surprised to learn they like drier air and do NOT like to be wet, and yet folks are keeping them in WTF vivs...?? I suppose it would work if I didn't spray the plant a lot and I keep the soil (supposed to be a cactus type potting mix) dryer somehow.

[basant]

I am pursuing an online degree in Biology. Just wanted to ask if there is any specific website where I can learn more about the anatomy of plants or Phytotomy as they call it.

[deranged chipmunk]

Thanks for the id ladies. I can't see pics witb any detail on my phone without my bifocals, and i don't wear them at work.

Ariel, you name your plants? That's too cool. I would, but there are too many. I can barely keep track of my frogs.......lol

[arielgasca420]

It's an alocasia amazonica!

I found this cool website on amazonica

Alocasia Amazonica (not a species), Alocasia x amazonica, Alocasia mortefontanensis André, Alocasia Poly, not 'Polly', Exotic Rainforest rare tropical plants

[deranged chipmunk]

I found this cool website on amazonica

Alocasia Amazonica (not a species), Alocasia x amazonica, Alocasia mortefontanensis André, Alocasia Poly, not 'Polly', Exotic Rainforest rare tropical plants

this site rocks!! i wasted about 2 hours on it the other night....LOL

[Calmwaters]

Thanks Bill.

[Heatheranne]

Great links, DC! Thank you!

[deranged chipmunk]

Guess who just received a lovely package from black jungle? This guy!!! I'll take pics after work before i plant

[deranged chipmunk]

new plants!! christmas just keeps on going.....lol


drosera spatulata -frasier island form, my new carnivore

[arielgasca420]

I just found out how awesome Etsy is for plant seeds and I will be starting my Plant Propogation class next week so I will ask my professor if he can help me propogate a few exotic and unique plants. I found this one today and although it is pricey, I have never seen this plant before. Bill, how crazy is this?
Here is the etsy link BLACK BAT PLANT Tacca Chanterii Black Flower Live by goldensparo
Tacca chanterii

[deranged chipmunk]

Ariel, if you're going to start propping exotics, i want to be one the waiting to send it out list....LOL

i have run across the black bat plant before. in fact, i was going to order one for my 125, but if i recall correctly, they grow rather large, which precluded me from ordering it. but wow, what a plant huh???

[deranged chipmunk]

who was it that asked me about growing orchids without fertilizer??? i remember someone asking me and i forgot who it was. sorry, i'm old. LOL

[tinkgirl77]

Ok questions for the plant experts... my viv is getting a false bottom( with eggcrate) put in right now, but in prep of planting... potted or not? My false bottom will have a moat/pond in the front of my exoterra with large pebble stones( so my retfs wont try to swim). The water table will be 3 inches tall ( for my reptifilter that will create a 1/2 cork tube brook that empties into moat). I will build up back of tank and create a hillside effect to allow plants sufficient soil. What y'all think? Plants potted or no? How many inches of plantation soil/ coconut fiber for plants? These are the plants...

[deranged chipmunk]

i don't leave any of my plants in the pots, especially if i buy them from big box store, like i did today. normally, they are in a pot that is too small for them anyway, that's why when you remove them, it seems like there are more roots than dirt. can you say root bound? i then give the plants a nice, quick bath to remove any stuff that may have been on them from the store, trim the roots a bit to allow for new root growth and then plant. if you are using just cocofiber, i would recommend adding a layer of peat moss below the cocofiber, a bit of laterite would also be helpful, but not necessary. plantation soil/cocofiber have no nutritional value for the plants. and until your frogs start creating waste and your biofilter gets up and running, the peat will help give them a bit of nourishment until it does. don't forget, you can add springtails and isopods as a cleaning crew and will make maintenance even easier

[tinkgirl77]

Thanks Bill,

On the Springtails and idopods, where do y you get them? And which specific one do you recommend? And where should I get the peat moss that is frog safe?

Also how deep do you think my soil combo needs to be to support.plants?

[deranged chipmunk]

any peat moss will do. i use scott's peat moss.

springtails and isopods can be purchased through a many number of online herp retailers, such as Josh's, Black Jungle, LLL, ect.

the main plant you have that will need some depth for support is the alocasia. i would give that one at least 4" of depth. more if possible. you should use the same depth for the others, but they can probably deal with as little as 2-3". i don't like going less than 3 inches for root feeders.

[deranged chipmunk]

I keep meaning to post this article, written by one of our fellow members, Frank I, about pesticides and vivariums. I thought it was very informative and i hope other will as well:
Live Plants in Amphibian Terrariums - Pesticide Concerns That Reptile Blog

[NatureLady]

I give them a good bath and replant. I have also (when cleaning out the old tank that the babies died in) done a weak bleach water bath and super rinse. Yes those plants are still all alive and well.

[Heatheranne]

Rinse, rinse, rinse and then I wait a bit before using them. I have done the mild bleach rinse also. I've never had any pest problems.

I do use springtails and roley polies .