Are orchids ok?

[ChloeChameleon]

I wanted to put a live plant in Chloe's cage and I found a very pretty orchid plant that's the right size, it says there is no pesticide residue, but I'm still not sure if it's safe to put in her cage, or even if the orchid itself would be harmful for her

 

[xraygirl]

I wanted to put a live plant in Chloe's cage and I found a very pretty orchid plant that's the right size, it says there is no pesticide residue, but I'm still not sure if it's safe to put in her cage, or even if the orchid itself would be harmful for her

Yes, and a lot of people do. Whatever the orchid is planted in, it would be better to plant it in something with better drainage. Most orchids come planted in sphagnum moss, which is usually tightly packed around the orchids roots (holds water for a longer period of time = brown, mushy, dead roots), or bark material, which bugs love to get into because it stays moist but the bark will slowly break down. Mounting them to a piece of wood using panty hose (fishing line is too rough and cuts into roots as they grow) to tie the plant onto something (wood board, grapevine wood, etc). My potted orchids are in hydroton (round clay pebbles) for better draining.

Flower stems are a bit delicate for the weight of a chameleon, depending on the type of orchid and how big the cham is. They are not toxic to chameleons, but I do recommend repotting/mounting the plant. They also need lighting, and it depends on what kind you have. The standard phalaenopsis orchids require low levels of lighting, dendrobiums or vandas require more, etc

Positing the plant to get water on its roots is essential, but making sure not too much water gets sprayed into the crown of the plant is also important, if water sits too long it'll rot the plant.

 

[Chuck G]

Nice post xraygirl!

 

[xraygirl]

Nice post xraygirl!

Thank you!

 

[ChloeChameleon]

Wow that's an incredibly detailed reply, thank you so much!!

 

[xraygirl]

Wow that's an incredibly detailed reply, thank you so much!!

Anytime

 

[DGray]

I wanted to put a live plant in Chloe's cage and I found a very pretty orchid plant that's the right size, it says there is no pesticide residue, but I'm still not sure if it's safe to put in her cage, or even if the orchid itself would be harmful for her

All commercially grown orchids are regularly sprayed with an array of toxic chemicals, especially fungicides. Many of these compounds are too dangerous for the home gardener to use. Even the flowers are sprayed. Many of these chemicals are systemic, meaning they go into the plant tissues. Any seller who tells you they have un-sprayed orchids, is either unaware, or lying to sell a plant.

While you could try to wash these spray residues off, quite a few orchids groups are sensitive to soaps. Washing them could result in foliage and flower damage.

Some orchids are quite toxic on their own. Most data is about farm animal poisoning, but one should take it as cautionary for any animal consuming them.

Orchids are also unsuitable because their new leaves and young flower spikes are soft and easily damaged by animal claws.

So for these reasons, I do not recommend orchids inside any animal enclosures.

 

[xraygirl]

All commercially grown orchids are regularly sprayed with an array of toxic chemicals, especially fungicides. Many of these compounds are too dangerous for the home gardener to use. Even the flowers are sprayed. Many of these chemicals are systemic, meaning they go into the plant tissues. Any seller who tells you they have un-sprayed orchids, is either unaware, or lying to sell a plant.

While you could try to wash these spray residues off, quite a few orchids groups are sensitive to soaps. Washing them could result in foliage and flower damage.

Some orchids are quite toxic on their own. Most data is about farm animal poisoning, but one should take it as cautionary for any animal consuming them.

Orchids are also unsuitable because their new leaves and young flower spikes are soft and easily damaged by animal claws.

So for these reasons, I do not recommend orchids inside any animal enclosures.

While I agree that all orchids are sprayed with something, doesn't mean it remains in the plant forever. Do I mean put a plant in a cage within a week of buying it? No, personally I would wait several months to do so. I've soaped up plenty of orchids down to rid of bugs without the use of presticides in my home. I use a weak dawn dish soap, warm water and cinnamon oil mixture to wash and gently clean the plant and then throughly rinse it, and repeat if necessary. I agree there are delicate orchids (jewel family, for instance) that I would not wash down. But the common phalaenopsis, dendrobium, vanda, oncidium, etc that most folks find in stores can handle it.

I'm sure everyone knows orchids bloom, and are delicate and easily damaged. People with orchids and cats sometimes have issues with their cats knocking the plants off, or chewing on them, and the plant will eventually recover from it. Chameleons will climb on them, poke little tiny holes in the leaves and leave scars, just as it would in the wild with other animals climb over them. They won't be show quality, but if it makes you and your chameleon happy, then use one.

I personally don't want my orchids in my chameleons cage, but I wouldn't tell someone else that they shouldn't. As long as it's not a toxic plant, you can put whatever plant that tickles your desire in your chameleons cage.

 

[DGray]

Some people are more comfortable with risk than others...

I know quite a lot about the chemicals used in commercial orchid production, and they are quite dangerous and persistent. Some of these compounds will stay in plant tissues for years.

Several major genera of orchids have toxic foliage.

Don't you think that it is is possibly a disservice to newbies to tell them orchids are fine in reptile cages?

 

[xraygirl]

Some people are more comfortable with risk than others...

I know quite a lot about the chemicals used in commercial orchid production, and they are quite dangerous and persistent. Some of these compounds will stay in plant tissues for years.

Several major genera of orchids have toxic foliage.

Don't you think that it is is possibly a disservice to newbies to tell them orchids are fine in reptile cages?

I think it's a disservice to tell people what they can and cannot do based on your opinion. If orchids hold toxins for years, then other plants do the same. There's quite a few members on here who successfully have orchids in their chameleons cages.

 

[Dave Joel]

Fair play to you xraygirl.

 

[DGray]

I think it's a disservice to tell people what they can and cannot do based on your opinion. If orchids hold toxins for years, then other plants do the same. There's quite a few members on here who successfully have orchids in their chameleons cages.

I have not "told", I offered a negative recommendation based on the available evidence on the dangers of this group of plants.

The references I use are here https://www.chameleonforums.com/bookshelf-37656/

I am professional in this field with a B.S. in Horticulture and have been for 35 years; I have been a paid consultant to a zoo on planted vivariums. I have had a pesticide applicators license. I have other pertinent post-graduate education. I am not trying to have a pissing contest, but I do have some standing on this topic.

Ultimately, readers will have to decide for themselves whether they want to use orchids. I have offered another set of facts from those you have. It is in the interst of good husbandry that readers have all the facts so they may make an educated choice.

 

[xraygirl]

I have not "told", I offered a negative recommendation based on the available evidence on the dangers of this group of plants.

The references I use are here https://www.chameleonforums.com/bookshelf-37656/

I am professional in this field with a B.S. in Horticulture and have been for 35 years; I have been a paid consultant to a zoo on planted vivariums. I have had a pesticide applicators license. I have other pertinent post-graduate education. I am not trying to have a pissing contest, but I do have some standing on this topic.

Ultimately, readers will have to decide for themselves whether they want to use orchids. I have offered another set of facts from those you have. It is in the interst of good husbandry that readers have all the facts so they may make an educated choice.

Glad you felt the need to share your education and experience with us since you feel you have to show your higher 'standing' over others when it comes to an opposing viewpoint, such as mine.

To each his own.