?'s about adding a plant light

[lucky]

so i recently added a MONSTER hibiscus and would like for it to thrive in my chams cage.... what would be better a tube plant light or a spot light type? i have a 2x2x4 cage and a 60w light already. do you think it will get too hot in my cage for my cham or you think it will be fine?

 

[sandrachameleon]

If you add a florescent tube plant grow bulb, it wont add significant heat (you could always lower your basking bulb to a 40watt or raise the 60Watt and inch if needs be).

I've recently started using a double tube balast, one with the UVB tube and the other a plant grow tube and its working out well.

 

[lucky]

cool. where can i find a double light fixture? do they have them in different sizes? 24 inch is what i would need. thanks for reply

 

[Cainschams]

cool. where can i find a double light fixture? do they have them in different sizes? 24 inch is what i would need. thanks for reply

Lowes, HD, walmart or anyplace that sells lights really. Get T8 though!!!! Or you will be buying them anyway eventually.

 

[sandrachameleon]

cool. where can i find a double light fixture? do they have them in different sizes? 24 inch is what i would need. thanks for reply

Got mine at the local hardware store. Does both T12 and T8, so it cost a little more than the fixtures that only do one or the other. Go for T8 if you have to choose, since T12 is being phased out.

 

[lucky]

okay will do. thanks for info!

 

[DGray]

Hibiscus are HIGH light plants. If the plant is to thrive it needs to be getting significant natural sun, or a heck of a lot of watts of florescent light very close to the plant. I would suggest that at a minumum you get a four-tube fixture T-8 or T-5 and leave it on 12 hrs. a day. Longer days would be better for the plant, but not good for your animals.

Over my enclosures with live plants I have 48" six-tube T-5 fixtures with color-corrected bulbs ( about 5200 K. for those interested ) These generate some heat so extra fans and humidification need to be put in to keep conditions good for everyone.

Hibiscus are also heavy feeders, and a soluable rose food with extra iron and magnesium would be good every week or two.

Best wishes to you, and your plants, oh, and your chameleons too!

 

[draetish]

Hibiscus are HIGH light plants. If the plant is to thrive it needs to be getting significant natural sun, or a heck of a lot of watts of florescent light very close to the plant. I would suggest that at a minumum you get a four-tube fixture T-8 or T-5 and leave it on 12 hrs. a day. Longer days would be better for the plant, but not good for your animals.

Over my enclosures with live plants I have 48" six-tube T-5 fixtures with color-corrected bulbs ( about 5200 K. for those interested ) These generate some heat so extra fans and humidification need to be put in to keep conditions good for everyone.

Hibiscus are also heavy feeders, and a soluable rose food with extra iron and magnesium would be good every week or two.

Best wishes to you, and your plants, oh, and your chameleons too!

So that brings up this question - is plant food okay to use in plants that are kept "inside" the cage? My first thought is no, in case the cham eats the plant.

 

[lucky]

if i was to fertilize i would just use some regular ol fish emulsion(all natural). oh wait. i dont want that smell in my house. any suggestions??
maybe just a week dose....

 

[draetish]

http://chameleonnews.com/?page=article&id=65

Plants get their nutrients from the soil. It is important to have organic soil that contains no fertilizers or pearlite (white balls). Some people wonder about fertilizing there plants to help them grow, and how to do this with out toxic chemicals. Remember what you put into your plant can affect your chameleon’s health. They can potentially eat the plant, eat insects which have eaten the plant, and there is also the potential that any chemicals that were put into that plant will transfer to your chameleon. There are, however, a few things that could be done. Mixing a small amount of potato skins and/or other organic materials into the soil once or twice a year will add some nutrients to the soil. Furthermore, by adding some fresh soil to the top of the planter, you can add a helpful boost in nutrient levels. This can be done once or twice a year as well. On top of this the chameleons will add there own natural fertilizer. There are also some toxic free fertilizers on the market but make sure to research these before using them. When in doubt do not use them!

 

[sandrachameleon]

Worm castings make for good fertilizer. If your chameleon eats soil, you may want to cover the soil with rocks.

 

[lucky]

right now im using papertowels but i will definitely look into the rocks. it'll probably look tons better. thanks

 

[DGray]

So that brings up this question - is plant food okay to use in plants that are kept "inside" the cage? My first thought is no, in case the cham eats the plant.

There is no risk that the components of fertilizer will somehow stay in their original form; they are changed by the plant itself and the soil and its organisms. We all eat foods fed with chemical fertilizers.

There IS a risk from water that might flow out of the bottom of the pot if the cham's were able to drink it, I suppose. Prevent them from drinking any water that might come out.

http://chameleonnews.com/?page=article&id=65
Plants get their nutrients from the soil. It is important to have organic soil that contains no fertilizers or pearlite (white balls). Some people wonder about fertilizing there plants to help them grow, and how to do this with out toxic chemicals. Remember what you put into your plant can affect your chameleon’s health. They can potentially eat the plant, eat insects which have eaten the plant, and there is also the potential that any chemicals that were put into that plant will transfer to your chameleon. There are, however, a few things that could be done. Mixing a small amount of potato skins and/or other organic materials into the soil once or twice a year will add some nutrients to the soil. Furthermore, by adding some fresh soil to the top of the planter, you can add a helpful boost in nutrient levels. This can be done once or twice a year as well. On top of this the chameleons will add there own natural fertilizer. There are also some toxic free fertilizers on the market but make sure to research these before using them. When in doubt do not use them!

Well, while I understand the reticence about using perlite ( impaction of the gut ), I don't know if you understand all the ramifications of adding soil from your yard, or of un-decomposed organic matter. Soil could introduce a host of pathogens or parasites and its not very rich. Organic matter such as peels will have to undergo a breakdown that will include fungus, perhaps molds, which can be detrimental, and might provide a breeding place for annoyances like fungus gnats. I guess a reasonable alternative would be worm compost, or pasteurized garden compost, but the plants growth will be far slower. I have a horticulture degree, which some will think gives me a bias, but I was also a gardener on an organic farm. Now I work in a nursery, and I just don't think its practical to grow plants in the home in small pots organicly. Further, I do feel that plants fed with chemical fertilizers are perfectly fine to eat.

That said, I buy all-organic produce for me and my animals ( for the health of the environment, and to encourage more farmers ).

Also, I personally always clean out the cham droppings, even from the plant pots.

I only offer these opinions in the spirit of helpfulness. I hope your fauna and flora all thrive.

 

[Luckys Gurl]

i understand. thanks for the advice. i think i will just stick with the organic soil and change it out yearly. like a bonsai. no fertilizers.

 

[summoner12]

Worm castings make for good fertilizer. If your chameleon eats soil, you may want to cover the soil with rocks.

This is what I use.... Add it to the soil as im mixing up the secret ingredients....

but can it just be added later? like on top of the soil to keep the plant fresh and growing? or should I repot?