Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey just a quick question about potting soil, I purchased the miracle grow organic mix is this a soil i can use on my plants in the enclosure? back of the bag said to use gloves when using it so im thinking there is a chem in their somewhere...anyone use this and if not what do you use for your plants? im putting small river rock at the base of the ficus so the cham cant get to it anyway, only reason i bought this stuff is because there was no perlite in it.

Thanks

Potting Soil and Top Soil are different things. I recommend top soil because it generally has no additives and is the cheapest, safest, all natural soil. It sometimes says that it is a mix of soil, with some sand, and bit of peat.
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CANADIAN SILKWORMS

"top soil" is very generic and broad in its description and its contents. top soil is often scraped from the land when a housing or business development is being built - thus the name "top" soil. It has no standards and can contain all sorts of things depending where in the country you live.

As Carlton said the bagged soils often contain fertilizers and can also contain systemic biocides (pesticides, herbicides).

A "soilless" mix which contains no perlite is your best bet. Check with a local nursery (not Garden Center) even if they are wholesale and speak with them about possibly buying thru them.
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It probably has a bunch of concentrated fertilizer mixed in which can irritate some people's hands. The main thing to avoid is any pesticide additives that control soil insects. Even if the cham can't reach the soil itself (the river rock is a good idea generally) a loose crix might get some of it and either die or be eaten.