Advice on trimming my umbrella plant
- Thread starter Reptar88
- Start date
CHScrusader
New Member
I have an umbrella plant/schefflera plant in my enclosure as well! I have an extra large reptibreeze cage. 24 x 24 x 48. And my plant isn't grown enough to reach the top but it goes out towards the sides and what I do is I get normal paper scissors and I curt the affecting branches and then I get a paper towel and a spray bottle with soapy water, spray the opening/ cut end of the stem and leaves and I then let it soak into the plant for 5 minutes then I get the paper towel and soak up the excess. My plant is then trimmed and safe. The sap is killed and it would not hurt your Cham. More less, umbrella plants are strong/hardy, cutting 1-3 branches that are not the main center stem, won't kill it. Hope this helped. Oh, by the way.. I'd recommend taking the Cham out during this process of removing the plant from enclosure. I just put my Cham on my shoulder while I do it.
CHScrusader
New Member
most likely.. what you can do is do it gradually.. i mean.. if it isn't harmfully affecting your enclosure, cut one or two a day so the plant doesn't get harmed as much. and then after you have them all trimmed just keep on it. cut them as they get too big
Reptar88
New Member
It's big enough to make the side of my cage bow out and I don't want it to rip the screen. So I guess to me it's worth risking a $14 loss since that would be cheaper than replacing my cage. I just replaced my other one and got the new plant in there and realized how massive it is. Note to self: next time I have home depot special order me a plant make sure to account for width in addition height. But thanks for the tips hopefully I don't wreck Reptar's new plant since he seems so content sleeping in it right now.
CHScrusader
New Member
no, that's no problem.. just like i said.. do it gradually if there's a lot of branches. believe me.. I've had 3 chameleons. This is my first veiled chameleon.. it has always worked for me. i only water the plant itself once a week. ive had an umbrella plant for all the chams. i water them after i trim them. the one i have now is a new one.. the other one is simply in my room for a free outter play area for my cham and the new one is in the cage. best of luck!
