Ordered some new plants..

[mpmistr]

I am working on putting together a better vivarium for my whites tree frogs.. here's what I've ordered so far.. any suggestions on plants that would complement these?

Ficus punctata


Dischidia ruscifolia


Korean Rock Fern


Tillandsia bergeri

[deranged chipmunk]

tough to offer suggestions without reference. but in my opinion, no plants will compliment these, so you just need to send them all to me and start from scratch lol

[mpmistr]

lol, I will hopefully figure it out.

[deranged chipmunk]

Ahhh, I was just busting stones. Gimme a day or so to think about what you can add. I was kind of distracted and I hate to see unanswered threads


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[mpmistr]

I am going to hit up the local pet store tomorrow for some more wood pieces/vines. I also ordered some magnolia leaves as you suggested to add leaf litter. I am trying to think up some background ideas, the spray foam method seems messy, and I am still kind of new to this, so I may just corkbark it, or just paint the back of the tank black as I do with my aquariums.

GenesisExotics was kind enough to throw in some palm bark since I apparently was not paying attention when ordering my magnolia leaves and missed out on a sale (whoops..), very kind of them. I am not sure what use the palm bark will be though, I suppose I could do some accent decorating with it.

The plants I ordered are from blackjungle, not sure on the ETA there. I am going to somehow manage to keep my snake plant (sansevieria) in the set up, it's kind of huge though.. the frogs are in love with it though. It's their favorite place to sleep, I've noticed.

[Mentat]

My suggestion when planting an enclosure with large tree frogs, is to include 1-2 plants that will support their weight .

[LilyPad]

I just ordered from black jungle and it took three days to get it. Packaged very well and good quality, nice size plants.

[Tongue Flicker]

There are sanseveria varieties that form rosettes or shorter leaves that i think your frogs will still love to perch on. Ferns and dischidias already compliment each other and they are found naturally in a different species mixing in a same tree trunk

Why not something reddish or pinkish to break the all green motif?

[deranged chipmunk]

Rhaphidophora sp. Either one, they sell 2 different species. Or maybe cissus amazonica.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[mpmistr]

Good pick, I will go with Rhaphidophora pachyphylla, seems close enough. FYI I'm gearing up to do a proper vivarium finally.. I picked up some "Great Stuff" foam spray, some 100% black silicone, some peat moss/eco earth, some baskets for the plants. I've been playing around with the foam to get the hang of using it. I plan on inserting the baskets in to the foam to have a "plant wall", oh I also picked up some pvc pipe and egg crate so I can do a false bottom.

I actually had some nice wood pieces in the basement.. pics to come, I have a "cool" idea. =)

[deranged chipmunk]

Yay!!


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[mpmistr]

Since "you da man", is eco-earth + peat moss an OK substrate? You make your own, right? My wariness here is I am afraid of fertilizers mucking up the water as they run through the soil.. for the individual planters, what soil would you use? Can stuff actually GROW in eco-earth?

[Lija]

Yeah, same question here, Bill spill out your secrets, what is your supersecret formula for substrate? Everyone else please share too, i dont have an access to a mix, will need to improvise. .

[deranged chipmunk]

Anything can grow in ecoearth once the frogs start adding waste to the mix. But on it's own, there's really no nutritional value. Peat moss is a fine mixer. And ferts won't mess up the water. Just be very stingy with items like bat guano or worm castings since combined with peat moss, can make the soil (and water) extremely soft and acidic.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[deranged chipmunk]

Hmmmm, not sure I should share with the phat phrog crowd hehehehehe


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Lija]

Hmmmm, not sure I should share with the phat phrog crowd hehehehehe


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

whaat? Afraid of competition much? Lol

going shopping again only where to get all that stuff?

[mpmistr]

whaat? Afraid of competition much? Lol

going shopping again only where to get all that stuff?

I saw most of what Bill stated in the garden section of Menards, if they have those in Canada. Home Depot tends to have more selection though.

[LilyPad]

Basil - Lots of sun, and I can't stress this part enough - EVEN watering. Too dry and it will wilt, too wet and it will get leggy and wilt. Back and forth and it will probably just die off. Pinch back the tips regularly to prevent it from blossoming and encourage more bushy growth. It needs rich soil, I try to keep the PH around 6. Do that stuff and you will have more basil than you know what to do with by the end of the summer. I plant all my basil with tomatoes to discourage pests from reaching either.

[deranged chipmunk]

Lija, I use a mix of cocofiber, organic potting soil, peat moss, bat guano, worm castings, horticultural charcoal and orchid bark. I don't necessarily have a recipe, I just mix it by feel


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[mpmistr]

Very interesting stuff. I have a lot to learn still. Now can you save my basil plants?