Bonsai trees

[jamest0o0]

Has anyone used bonsai/ish trees in their enclosures? I’m not super familiar with them other than they need roots trimmed and such.

 

[JBissell]

I have an umbrella plant in my enclosure. It is bonsai-ish, lol. It does very well and has grown a lot since going in 3 years ago when my chameleon was donated to my classroom because the owner couldn't keep her.

3 years ago:


Today:


On a side note, anyone know how to keep pictures from rotating????

 

[nightanole]

Japanese maples are popular around here. They grow in the shade of other trees, so they tolerate being in cages. We have at least 3 in the hood and Since they are like $100 a pop, we give away samplings like candy.

They are some what hard to "bonsai". You basically just let it over grow in the cage, then cut it back too much, repeat. I dont have pics, but ours just lived in a 5 gallon bucket in a false floor of the cage. The only root trimming i did was hack/murder half the bottom bucket every few years just so it didnt get pot bound.

Keep in mind there are alot of bonsai snobs out there. A thick center with we little leaves alot of of exposed roots may look cool, but really you just need something barkey that will support a chameleon.

 

[jamest0o0]

I have an umbrella plant in my enclosure. It is bonsai-ish, lol. It does very well and has grown a lot since going in 3 years ago when my chameleon was donated to my classroom because the owner couldn't keep her.

3 years ago:
View attachment 364117

Today:
View attachment 364118

On a side note, anyone know how to keep pictures from rotating????

Looks good! I have a large branchy schefflera actually, but they have always struggled indoors here for me. Mine goes on our porch in the summer and thrives, only to battle pests and leaf loss to the brink every winter indoors. Same routine for years now. Anytime I used them in enclosures, they struggled with pests.

 

[jamest0o0]

Japanese maples are popular around here. They grow in the shade of other trees, so they tolerate being in cages. We have at least 3 in the hood and Since they are like $100 a pop, we give away samplings like candy.

They are some what hard to "bonsai". You basically just let it over grow in the cage, then cut it back too much, repeat. I dont have pics, but ours just lived in a 5 gallon bucket in a false floor of the cage. The only root trimming i did was hack/murder half the bottom bucket every few years just so it didnt get pot bound.

Keep in mind there are alot of bonsai snobs out there. A thick center with we little leaves alot of of exposed roots may look cool, but really you just need something barkey that will support a chameleon.

I need it to look cool. The animal’s needs make no difference, this is for my viewing pleasure. The chameleon is lucky enough to be graced with my husbandry.

(Kidding, however I do want something that looks cool)

 

[nightanole]

I need it to look cool. The animal’s needs make no difference, this is for my viewing pleasure. The chameleon is lucky enough to be graced with my husbandry.

(Kidding, however I do want something that looks cool)

(sad chameleon noises)

 

[JBissell]

Looks good! I have a large branchy schefflera actually, but they have always struggled indoors here for me. Mine goes on our porch in the summer and thrives, only to battle pests and leaf loss to the brink every winter indoors. Same routine for years now. Anytime I used them in enclosures, they struggled with pests.

I haven't had much of an issue with pests in the Cham enclosure thankfully. I had mealy worms in a few of my crested gecko tanks though. They really liked the pothos.

 

[Maximus_Cham]

Japanese maples are popular around here. They grow in the shade of other trees, so they tolerate being in cages. We have at least 3 in the hood and Since they are like $100 a pop, we give away samplings like candy.

They are some what hard to "bonsai". You basically just let it over grow in the cage, then cut it back too much, repeat. I dont have pics, but ours just lived in a 5 gallon bucket in a false floor of the cage. The only root trimming i did was hack/murder half the bottom bucket every few years just so it didnt get pot bound.

Keep in mind there are alot of bonsai snobs out there. A thick center with we little leaves alot of of exposed roots may look cool, but really you just need something barkey that will support a chameleon.

Japanese maples are my favorite trees. I would advise against using it as they will not survive indoor in a cage.