How to maintain live plants

Hey guys, I was just curious as to what you guys do to maintain your live plants in your enclosures. I currently have a Ficus Benjamina for Isabella and it is partially dying... So I want to know what methods work well for you as far as upkeep goes, thank you !

Ben

ISA my Veiled said:

Hey guys, I was just curious as to what you guys do to maintain your live plants in your enclosures. I currently have a Ficus Benjamina for Isabella and it is partially dying... So I want to know what methods work well for you as far as upkeep goes, thank you !

Ben

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I'm sure we'll get some pros to chime in here but meanwhile, I have to take mine out every week or two and let it 'air out' on the patio. I think it gets water logged and probably doesn't get quite as bright a light as it would like. I use schefflera "umbrella" plant instead of ficus because it was a lot cheaper for me and it has several strong stalks for Rambo to climb. My intention is to get a second one and just rotate them every couple of weeks. I know that several others on here have done that in the past.

mrfixit01 said:

I'm sure we'll get some pros to chime in here but meanwhile, I have to take mine out every week or two and let it 'air out' on the patio. I think it gets water logged and probably doesn't get quite as bright a light as it would like. I use schefflera "umbrella" plant instead of ficus because it was a lot cheaper for me and it has several strong stalks for Rambo to climb. My intention is to get a second one and just rotate them every couple of weeks. I know that several others on here have done that in the past.

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Yeah hopefully lol

I was going to ask, doesn't the umbrella tree grow up the side of your cage...? Or I am thinking of something else.

ISA my Veiled said:

Yeah hopefully lol

I was going to ask, doesn't the umbrella tree grow up the side of your cage...? Or I am thinking of something else.

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Oh no, just grows straight up with several strong stalks and 5-7 slender leaves on each stem. Kinda like a thick bush.

Ive noticed some people using an extra light for their plants along with the uvb and basking light. id go to a local greenery shop and ask for the light bulb but also like the other dude say take it out from time to time and let it air out a few days

allencg101 said:

Ive noticed some people using an extra light for their plants along with the uvb and basking light. id go to a local greenery shop and ask for the light bulb but also like the other dude say take it out from time to time and let it air out a few days

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Good idea I wasn't thinking of that. I know that you can get the plant lights but how much heat do they put off do you think? I do not want it to hot in my enclosure because I have a female Veiled and I obviously do not want a bigger first infertile clutch than she can handle

ISA my Veiled said:

Good idea I wasn't thinking of that. I know that you can get the plant lights but how much heat do they put off do you think? I do not want it to hot in my enclosure because I have a female Veiled and I obviously do not want a bigger first infertile clutch than she can handle

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Most plant lights give off very little heat. Especially the fluorescent ones which is the route you are going to want to go. Get one rated as 6500 kelvin as that is the spectrum of light the bulb gives off and 6500k works best for stimulating plant growth!

AlecWade said:

Most plant lights give off very little heat. Especially the fluorescent ones which is the route you are going to want to go. Get one rated as 6500 kelvin as that is the spectrum of light the bulb gives off and 6500k works best for stimulating plant growth!

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Alright thanks. Do you know how much they cost?

And just curious about watering...I mist my enclosure like 5 times a day plus a dripper so should I still water it often or..?

There are 2 keys things as far as I am concerned:

1 - plenty of light (plus, making sure it is the right kind of light - daylight bulbs are the best)
2 - not too much water

It takes a while to find the right balance, but you will get there eventually. Also, using plants that do well with very little light is always a good plan. Generally, those with darker leaves can thrive in lower light conditions because they have more chlorophyll to make the most of what light is available. So, if you have to choose between 2 plants, take the one with the darker leaves!

AlecWade said:

Most plant lights give off very little heat. Especially the fluorescent ones which is the route you are going to want to go. Get one rated as 6500 kelvin as that is the spectrum of light the bulb gives off and 6500k works best for stimulating plant growth!

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thanks for the input i was wondering what type to get what brand do you prefer!!!???!!!

The cheapest hight kelvin lights I have found are from photography suppliers, they have compact flourescents for studio lighting.

Ficus can be problematic shedding foliage, this is usually because of the change of heat/humidity it should regrow foliage adjusted to the change.

Water logging is an issue, repot the plants in to a very free draining compost with grit/sand added and some extra drainage at the bottom like gravel.

Pothos is another good plant and holds on to water droplets very well

idk i must just be lucky my plants have been doing awesome even growing well in my little guys cage. i have a rubber tree plant and a umbrella plant in there and they are alright i of courser make sure the window is open so they get alright sun light for like 4 hours a day before the sun moves out of their range.

I really don't have any preference on bulbs they are all decently cheap and do the same thing. I'd like to try the Arcadia UV bulbs though I've heard those are 6500k and provide everything a Cham needs! Not sure about what the reptisun are rated though.

great info truelly

Now a days many latest technology available for maintain the live plants. You have to use some latest lights for your plants and also use best seeds and organic soils for your plants. Everyday you have to put some water and manage the live plants.