Planting

[TehMagwi]

Hi all,

I'm getting a ficus tomorrow so that I can get it ready for when I get my cham. I was just wondering, I read that I should take it out of the soil its in because of the pesticides, rinse off and wash the plant and put it into new soil. I've got a habit of having a black thumb when it comes to keeping plants alive. What type of soil should i put it in? And anything else I should know that can help me keep the plant alive? Thanks for all your help!!

-Maggy

 

[desultadox]

Find the bag that says "Organic potting soil." It's not going to help your black thumb at all, though. If I was you I'd put some fertilizer in there, and then cover the soil with stones so that you simultaneously help the plant grow strong and eliminate the threat of impaction.

 

[Julirs]

No fertilizer please-organic soil is fertilizer enough and I would be worried about water run off.

 

[TehMagwi]

Thanks guys, I got my organic soil and plants today I got a hibiscus, a pothos and a croton

 

[BocaJan]

Welcome to the forum TehMagwi. It is nice to see fellow Floridians join up! It's nice to see everyone but, well, you know.

 

[blackbetty]

Apparently Hibiscus are fall plants here..The guy at Home Depot laughed at me when I asked when he would get his supply in.

 

[sandrachameleon]

pothos will grow in just water, or sand and water, and are resistant to black thumbs

 

[TehMagwi]

Oh yay! I'm pretty hopeful about these plants, I'm going to be repotting them on thursday with the organic soil and such. Thanks for all the welcomings, this is a fantastic Forum, everyones friendly and very knowledgeable.

-Maggy

 

[Chase]

Once you repot them, try not to lift the plant. Since you just repotted them, you need to give them time to grow roots outside of the original size of pot you just took them out of. Be careful, if you don't give them enough water, they will die because they will go into shock. One thing you also need to remember is ficus kind of grow slowly, but, it should take about 2 weeks for the roots to grow out enough to where you don't have to worry about damaging the plant. The roots are the most important things for a plant, so damaging them is bad. Another thing, you said you read somewhere that you wash the soil? That's stupid, you don't have to do that, if you take it out of it's pot, and expose the roots to much, it kills the plant, because then its roots have nothing to grab onto. But not saying you will get lucky and the plant not dying. Good Luck, Hope this helps!

LPR08

 

[dodolah]

you can put some earthworms in the pot as well...
come to think of it, maybe that's why I've been able to keep the hibiscus in longer than I originally thought (plus, I have growth light as well)..

I believe earthworm casting is an excellent fertilizer.

 

[Chase]

Good Point! Earthworms also make great areas for roots to start growing at. Plus, when they poo, it doesn't hurt the chameleon because its natural!

 

[sandrachameleon]

I believe earthworm casting is an excellent fertilizer.

You are correct!

 

[Chase]

I guess the Chameleon Poo would also be good fertilizer. I certainly hope it couldn't get hurt from something it makes