karebear41486
Established Member
Just wondering how you all wash your live plants. I just want to make sure that there are no pesticides or other junk on them, and what the best way to go about that is.
How do you wash live plants?
- Thread starter karebear41486
- Start date
Electric
New Member
I use water and dish soap to wipe off white streaks/residue on the leaves then I put the whole plant under the shower for about 20 mins with warm water. I also switch out the soil that was in there when I bought it with some fresh stuff, obviously soil without fertilizer.. without perlite too if you can find some
John33871
New Member
i got a care sheet from kammerflage kreations that this is what is says
Due to pesticide and fertilizer use in most plant nurseries, whenever you introduce a new plant to your animal's enclosure, there are some preparation steps to take beforehand. Many nursery's and garden centers use heavy-duty pesticides to protect the plants but these same pesticides may prove fatal to your chameleon if ingested. Make sure they are removed!
Step 1: Take a clean bucket and fill it with a squirt of antibacterial soap and water. Create a soapy solution. Invert the plant "head down" into the water and swish around. Let the plant sit for 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Rinse the plant thoroughly so that any soap solution is removed. Repeat steps 1 and 2 a second or third time.
Step 3: The potting soil the plant originally comes in may contain fertilizers and soil additives that could be detrimental to your animal. Crickets often go into the potting soil of the plant and if your chameleon shoots for the cricket, you don't want him/her to draw back nitrate fertilizers along with their prey. A simple way to remedy this is to purchase a small bag of "Super Soil" (without conditioners) and replace the top 3-4" of soil in the plant container.
Once your plant is properly cleaned and the topsoil is replaced, you can rest easy that it's now ready for a new home with your chameleon.
Due to pesticide and fertilizer use in most plant nurseries, whenever you introduce a new plant to your animal's enclosure, there are some preparation steps to take beforehand. Many nursery's and garden centers use heavy-duty pesticides to protect the plants but these same pesticides may prove fatal to your chameleon if ingested. Make sure they are removed!
Step 1: Take a clean bucket and fill it with a squirt of antibacterial soap and water. Create a soapy solution. Invert the plant "head down" into the water and swish around. Let the plant sit for 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Rinse the plant thoroughly so that any soap solution is removed. Repeat steps 1 and 2 a second or third time.
Step 3: The potting soil the plant originally comes in may contain fertilizers and soil additives that could be detrimental to your animal. Crickets often go into the potting soil of the plant and if your chameleon shoots for the cricket, you don't want him/her to draw back nitrate fertilizers along with their prey. A simple way to remedy this is to purchase a small bag of "Super Soil" (without conditioners) and replace the top 3-4" of soil in the plant container.
Once your plant is properly cleaned and the topsoil is replaced, you can rest easy that it's now ready for a new home with your chameleon.
The suggestions above are excellent.
This is not really related to washing plants, but I recommend moving newly acquired plants into a larger pot. The added trouble is low considering you will be adding new soil as suggested above. I have had much better success with cage plants when they have some room for root growth.
This is not really related to washing plants, but I recommend moving newly acquired plants into a larger pot. The added trouble is low considering you will be adding new soil as suggested above. I have had much better success with cage plants when they have some room for root growth.
PukaKeha
New Member
I agree Brad. I grow alot of things and the first thing I do is repot them into a bigger pot. I have found when you buy from stores like Home Depot and Walmart the plants are root bound. A trim of the roots and a new pot will cause a flourish of new growth and greatly increase the chance of survival indoors.
PukaKeha
New Member
On another side note, will soap residue left on leaves hurt a chameleon. I spray my flowers with soapy water when I get grasshoppers or aphids. I dont know why but it seems to make them go away. Every once and awhile I get aphids on my hibiscus. Ive been scared to spray them so I just hack out the whole section where they are. It would be good to know if I can spray them with soap, because I would much rather make the aphids leave instead of taking away some of her cover.
TreelionsUK
New Member
also if your plants get alot of dried on limescale from hard water,this can be removed quite safely using a light solution of vinegar and water,follow by a heavy wash down
karebear41486
Established Member
Thanks everyone...good ideas! I was considering buying a few larger pots when i purchased the plants, but didn't. Seems like a good idea though...might have to go back!
Phimuhammad206
New Member
When it says to let the plants sit for a few minutes after being in the soap water does it mean to leave it in the bucket? Or let just sit outside of the bucket with the soapy water over it?
