plant prep. help.

[joe22]

So I can't find any organically grown ficus trees but I did find a nice supply of ficus trees that I want to purchase. My question is how do I go about making them safe for my little guy? If it's to fill a container with soapy water and to rinse the leaves, which kind of soap should I use? Also how do you repot? Do I wash all the dirt off the roots and repot with 100% organic soil? Please be as specific as possible in your response for plan preparation. Are there any other good tree options? Thanks ahead of time!

Joe

 

[Cait0420]

What I did (as recommended by Carl) was to make a spray bottle with dish soap, put the plant in the shower then spray the plant (don't forget under the leafs) let it almost dry and then rinse with the normal way yet. Repeat this a few times and you should be good to go!

 

[laurie]

The washing instructions you were given are about the same as I do, but make sure to cover the top of the soil with rocks. The umbrella tree is another good tree for chams, pothos plants are not trees but they add nice sized leaves for your cham to drink from.

 

[joe22]

Awesome thank you both a bunch!!

Now what about the roots and the dirt the plant comes in. Do I remove all the dirt from the roots and replace with organic soil?

 

[Juliaf3]

Is this the thread you were talking about in Instagram?



You can rinse to the roots if you want too how ever, I do not think it is absolutely necessary I'd replace all the soil though. It may not be necessary either, but I do it. Just a personal choice.

 

[modernjamie]

Oh my gosh.. this thread really freaked me out as I did not do anything for the ficus tree that I purchased from LLLreptile before I put in my chameleon's cage. I did not even clean the leaves nor did I replace the soil.. Their website says the plant is pesticide and fertilizer free but I've seen crickets would hide in the soil and go back up for my chameleon to hunt. I am quite worried now. Do I need to at least replace the soil now???

 

[joe22]

Thank you thank you!! Julia I was talking about the post I made about cleaning on the baby Jarl thread!

 

[pigglett79]

Oh my gosh.. this thread really freaked me out as I did not do anything for the ficus tree that I purchased from LLLreptile before I put in my chameleon's cage. I did not even clean the leaves nor did I replace the soil.. Their website says the plant is pesticide and fertilizer free but I've seen crickets would hide in the soil and go back up for my chameleon to hunt. I am quite worried now. Do I need to at least replace the soil now???

Chances are the tree you purchased was already clean and fine. The washing is to get any residue or insecticide off as some nurseries may spray their plants to keep them looking nice.

And long as the soil is fertilizer free you should be fine. I wouldn't worry too much about it.