"broken" light pattern - do I need to trim my plants ?

my plants are getting really big on my indoor cages, and some of the leaves are starting to block some of the uvb bulb light - how much of the bulb light needs to be un-obstructed ? they are the liner tube - 5.0 - there are still spots of un-obstructed light - but I was not sure if I need to just chop the tops off of all my plants ? also, if I do trim them- they are umbrella , do I need to worry about the sappy ends ? thanks

All I can tell you is every cage I have has broken light. So have all the cages before those cages. Out of all the things I have found to worry about, you have managed to find one even I missed to worry about.

laurie said:

All I can tell you is every cage I have has broken light. So have all the cages before those cages. Out of all the things I have found to worry about, you have managed to find one even I missed to worry about.

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what can I say- lol - I only wonder because as I was watching some of them, ( you know how I love to study them ) some ( the jax ) seem to prefer the broken light? but I dont want them to be shorted on the uvb - but the cages are set up w/ one side uvb ( along the back ) one edge w/ the bask light, and the other side is kinda dark, so they can chose no light - but I am working on an idea if it pans out I will share

All my lights are on the top, both heat and UVB. Where these guys come from has very broken light, it is better than any of our lights, but I try to give them the closest I can.

little leaf said:

my plants are getting really big on my indoor cages, and some of the leaves are starting to block some of the uvb bulb light - how much of the bulb light needs to be un-obstructed ? they are the liner tube - 5.0 - there are still spots of un-obstructed light - but I was not sure if I need to just chop the tops off of all my plants ? also, if I do trim them- they are umbrella , do I need to worry about the sappy ends ? thanks

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his favourite primary basking area should be totally free of overhead leaves blocking the light. (assuming you have the UVB close beside the basking lamp)

I basically keep one side (top to bottom) of the cage largely open and free of plants (at least not heavily planted) and the other side planted. This gives the chameleon choices of het gradient and UVB /light

the sappy ends will heal over quickly. just keep the cham outside the cage while you are trimming, and perhaps for a minute or two afterwards

yes, its a warm day today, so all will be outside for the day, so figure its a good day to scrub down bottoms, and trim plants if needed
thanks

SandraChameleon's suggestion is a good one - as long as you have at least one basking area that's mostly unshaded, the rest of the cage can have lots of foliage.

-Jen