Live Plant Cleaning

[Zubi]

How would you clean a live plant you got from like home depot, to make it safe for your cham's enclosure?

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I would wash with water and clean the leaf's a couple times. I could not say if there are cleaners that would be safe for Chameleons. However there are biodegradable cleaners out there.

 

[PitchFork]

Take the plant out of the potter.

Fill a large container (a storage tub/bin , garbage can, 5 gallon bucket etc.

Fill it with dish soap and warm water. Dunk it, roots and all, scrounge around the leaves really good, then rinse with a hose do this a few times. Wash away some of the outside dirt on the root ball. check it for any possible soil dwelling pests. Re pot in your preferred soil and new container and good to go.

The plant may show signs of shock for a day or two, if at all, but then will perk back up.

The only way you can usually kill something is if your don't re-pot it.

This method isn't for chameleons, but it will get rid of most leaf dwelling bugs, and you should beable to examine the roots for pests. The final rinse should make it chameleon safe.

 

[Zubi]

Also, when I put the plant back in the pot should i cover the soil with something so the crickets dont get in there, or so my cham doesnt eat it?

 

[carol5208]

most of us use large river rocks. It will keep your cham out of there but not the crickets. They can still burrow down in there under the rocks. You can cover with mesh or screen if you want.

 

[Zubi]

most of us use large river rocks. It will keep your cham out of there but not the crickets. They can still burrow down in there under the rocks. You can cover with mesh or screen if you want.

Would paper towels work, just to cover the top of the soil

 

[carol5208]

I wouldnt recommend that. They are just going to get all wet and make a big soggy mess with the dirt. You can always cup feed and then you don't have to worry about loose feeders.

 

[yojon3000]

could i use peat moss to replant it i need a quick answer
i have alot and my mom thinks im wasting money buying organic soil

 

[Ruganut]

just one tip from me - remember leafs have 2 sides..... the top AND the underneath, so dont forget to clean both