Plants with shallow roots?!

[TeenyToad]

Hi all!

I've purchased several awesome plants for my new vivarium. Now, I've realized that I don't have much for the back wall area. The small "pots" created in the expanded foam using a dremmel, will only be suitable for plants with very shallow roots.

I'm open to any suggestions!

I would really love to have vining plants on the wall But I can also work with something else.

Thanks in advance guys!


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[LilyPad]

You could do epiphytes such as certain bromeliads, ferns, tillandsias (orchids too if you have the experience) etc with some moss in the "pots" and then plant something like ficus pumila (creeping fig) in the substrate to climb the wall.

[TeenyToad]

Thanks, Amy! I don't have any experience with orchids, though I suppose it'd be a great time to learn. Do your suggested plants do well with frequent mistings, and low light?
I actually thought my lighting was pretty bright, but Bill informed me that it wasn't. Great day to be a noob! :P


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[LilyPad]

What kind of lighting are you using? Bill is probably right though, he usually is Could you get some new bulbs? They really aren't very expensive if you order them online. They should do very well with mistings. Orchid experience comes with hands on experience. I read my brains out when I got my first orchid and still managed to kill it. 3 years and 4 orchids later, I finally have the hang of it.

[Tongue Flicker]

Try picking vines that produce aerial roots as these doesn't mind being pot-bound if ever and would benefit more from getting their aerial roots moist. Photos do good with low light as well as some non-variegated ivy. Have you checked Aluminum plants (Pilea sp.)? They root shallowly and tolerates frequent misting as well. Trailing plants called Pellonia also have shallow roots and tolerates moderate lighting.

[deranged chipmunk]

See? The crew has you covered. Ivy's, pothos, philodendrons, vining ficus species all will work. There are a bunch of epiphytic ferns that will work as well, like pyrossia species and a few others.

If you have shallow, small pots (around 2" or so), a miniature African violet would work. They require small pots, anything larger and they would suffer.

You can also attach broms and orchids to the background as well.

Luckily, your lighting, while considered low, won't drastically affect most terrestrials. Aquatics would be affected more because you have the water buffering the light.


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

[TeenyToad]

Seriously, you guys are all so awesome. I'm astonished by how helpful you all are! I feel so grateful

I have this plant in my backyard that looks like an ivy, and was wondering if there is a smaller version of it that I could use in my pots?

I was also wondering if I could use my creeping Charlie and/or my baby tears in the small pots.

Again, thank you guys so much!


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[TeenyToad]

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[TeenyToad]

Also, do you guys know of a place where I can purchase these? I typically use Joshs Frogs, whom although their product is great, the shipping is sort of crazy.


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[deranged chipmunk]

There are some small hedera sp. Ivy that would work. Or, you could use ficus pumilia var. quercifolia. It looks like a tiny ivy. In this pic, it's in the top center of the tank, attached to the back wall:


Creeping Charlie would definitely work as well.


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

[TeenyToad]

Wow, your enclosure looks awesome! I love it! And I really like the look of that ivy! Is the top left one a fern?


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[deranged chipmunk]

If you check the "ultimate plant thread" stickie, I believe there is a list of online vendors in there that are reputable. There is also eBay, which can be a valuable resource as well.


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

[deranged chipmunk]

Yup, that tank had numerous ferns in it. I believe that one was a nephrolopsis sp.


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

[TeenyToad]

Thanks Bill, I'll check it out!
Any chance a wandering Jew would do well in a small pot?
And should I drill drainage holes in the little pots?


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[Tongue Flicker]

Thanks Bill, I'll check it out!
Any chance a wandering Jew would do well in a small pot?
And should I drill drainage holes in the little pots?


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I'm not Bill but yes, they'll be fine in a small pot. Just be sure to pick a quick drying medium or a pot with good drainage as the base of their stem rots quickly if kept continuously moist. Be sure to put them on the brightest spot of the tank so it can showcase its full purple coloration.

[deranged chipmunk]

Yup, that tank had numerous ferns in it. I believe that one was a nephrolopsis sp.


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

I think she's responding to this post Neil lol


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

[TeenyToad]

I think she's responding to this post Neil lol


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

Haha yes, I was! Sorry for the confusion guys! And double thanks for all of the help


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