the ultimate (?) plant thread

[Heatheranne]

Hey Bill, an off topic brief question...will babies tears survive in my viv? Haha, that rhymed . It would be either for the dart tank or the red eyes. I'd like it to cascade down one corner.

[deranged chipmunk]

I'm almost positive it will survive in a red eye tank, no problem. The dart tank i'm not sure. I've never tried it in a high humidity environment. And what species is it? There are like 5 that are called baby tears.

[tinkgirl77]

Heather, where did you get your roley poley? Im much more inclined to use them. The others for some reason make me a little squeamish.

[deranged chipmunk]

Heather, where did you get your roley poley? Im much more inclined to use them. The others for some reason make me a little squeamish.

Really? Feeders you have no problem, isopods are ok, but the bug that you need a magnifying glass to see (springtails) make you squeamish? Lol

[UncleChester]

Heather, where did you get your roley poley? Im much more inclined to use them. The others for some reason make me a little squeamish.

I use sow bugs, found under a log. They're similar in size to 'rollie pollies' but can't roll into a ball. There was already a small colony in my basement, so these aren't a major infestation concern. They've never managed to breed in overwhelming numbers in a frog tank either, they get picked off by the frogs.

There are probably many hundreds of species that get called sow bug or rollie pollie though.

I've never had a springtail breakout either. They need moisture to survive and don't seem keen on fleeing the vivarium.

[tinkgirl77]

A little lol, weird I know. I think it's because when I was looking into getting them, I saw an article that said to not get them bc they escaped and colonized in the owners housec and they couldn't get rid of them! That would be my luck.

[deranged chipmunk]

A little lol, weird I know. I think it's because when I was looking into getting them, I saw an article that said to not get them bc they escaped and colonized in the owners housec and they couldn't get rid of them! That would be my luck.

That is untrue. Springtails, first off, won't climb out of the substrate. And even if you dropped their container and they got all over your floor, they would have a hard time finding food. Unless you have a dirt floor. Which i doubt......lol

[Heatheranne]

I'm almost positive it will survive in a red eye tank, no problem. The dart tank i'm not sure. I've never tried it in a high humidity environment. And what species is it? There are like 5 that are called baby tears.

It's hard to read but I think it says Helxine soleirolii ?

[tinkgirl77]

Thanks for the insight! I dunno, I may try as springtails. My exoterra viv will have a watery area near door so they bprolly wouldn't escape. Would love to do pill bugs or rollie polys but itv may be hard to find them right now. I love in louisiana and we usually have tons. If I find some, how many do y'all think I would need and how do I make sure they're frog safe and clean ?

[Heatheranne]

Heather, where did you get your roley poley? Im much more inclined to use them. The others for some reason make me a little squeamish.

I got my springtails from joshsfrogs and my dwarf orange isopods from the Hamburg, Pa reptile show.

http://www.joshsfrogs.com/food-nutri...lements-2.html

[Heatheranne]

It's true....they like wet soil. You'd be ok . Mine never come out if their bin and I leave the lid cracked for air flow.

[Heatheranne]

It's hard to read but I think it says Helxine soleirolii ?

Any thoughts? It's says moist soil, medium bright light....

[deranged chipmunk]

Definitely yes in the retf tank. I believe once it acclimates, it should be fine in a dart tank. Normally, if a plant requires constantly moist soil, it will also enjoy a high humidity environment. Normally, but not always. There are some which like moist soil, but don't like staying wet, like some african violets.

[Heatheranne]

Definitely yes in the retf tank. I believe once it acclimates, it should be fine in a dart tank. Normally, if a plant requires constantly moist soil, it will also enjoy a high humidity environment. Normally, but not always. There are some which like moist soil, but don't like staying wet, like some african violets.

Okay, thanks! Maybe I'll just start with a small piece of it so I don't loose the whole plant.

My local greenhouse will be getting their starter shipment soon, yay!!!! Lots of new plants .

[tinkgirl77]

Ok bill and heather, you talked me into it. since I know nothing about these lil suckers, how many should I get ? And when I get them, I just throw em in there once everything is all planted?

[Heatheranne]

I'd get your tank up and running. Test out the temp and humidity, get your feeder bugs started, do lots of reading and research, then get them. They'll need to be in quarantine for at least 30 days to ensure they're not sick and that they're eating and pooping well . I love mine! I love Lynn's (flybyferns) too!

[tinkgirl77]

Lol they get quarantined too, that's funny! Contact isolation for doodle bugs and invisible creepers !

[deranged chipmunk]

Lisa, i believe Heather is talking about the frogs. No need to isolate the bugs. If you want, you can toss them right in. If you do not want any of the media they come in to mix with your substrate, springtails float. Just add some water to the container and scoop them out. They will multiply in your enclosure.

[Heatheranne]

Lol they get quarantined too, that's funny! Contact isolation for doodle bugs and invisible creepers !

I'm sorry. I might have worded that in a bad way. I did mean the frogs . It is good to get your feeder bugs breeding though so you have enough. Fruit flies are easy to culture. The cleaner bugs can be put in right after you get it finished .

[Heatheranne]

Okay Bill, so since you're my plant expert , can you help me to identify these plants? They came with tags for care but most of them say 'tropical plant'. And you know, I'm sorry to say, my thumb is definitely not green , ha ha! Thanks in advance .

1. ?


2. Dracena?


3. Brom, type?


4. ?

5. ?


6. ?


7. ?


8. ?


9. Fern, type?


10. Snake plants


11. Dracena?


12. Crazy dracena? Lol!

I love this plant!

13. ?


14. And, of course, a pothos