Reptile & Amphibian Forums

here's what i've got so far...
3-4 inches pea gravel with fiberglass screen on top
3 inches black top soil mixed lightly with vermiculite
2 inches black top soil mixed lightly with peat moss
pothos and philodendrum planted in the corners
1-3 inches eco earth ( depending on where the plants are)

what i'm wondering first of if there are any forseeable problems with what i have right now.

but my main question is, what can i do for plant food? with the set up i have right now will i need any additional supplementation? if so what should i use, or any ideas on what i should look into. i've never done a naturalistic set up with live plants and am worried about keeping them alive.
thanks for any input
andrew

Get rid of the vermiculite and use a clay pellet.

Then try bat guano.

jason

I agree w/ Jason, anything inorganic in the substrate can cause SERIOUS problems if ingested. Both pothos and philedendron are hearty plants that can deal w/ neglect. I wouldn't worry too much about fertilizing, but bat guano would work well.

I use the guano in my chondro cage. It only takes a tiny amount to fertilize an entire cage. Super easy, slightly expensive but does really well.

is the vermiculite only an issue if the geckos can get in direct contact with it?
i put another layer of fiberglass screen down, and then another 3 inches of top soil and 1-3 inches of eco-earth ( depending on location in cage)
i thought the topsoil would be enough, but i just wanted to make sure
thanks guys

Were can you get the,,,bat guano ?

i think they tend to sell that at special nurseries, but ive also heard that it gets pricey. i also think i remember hearing something about too much being toxic, so anyone planning to use it might wanna check up on that.

,

I pick it up at a few local hydroponics stores. If there aren't any near you give me a call. I can help locate some for you.

As for its toxicity...like any fertilizer too much is too much. I use a tiny amount for one plant. and even then, I put it deep down in the soils near the bottom of the root balls. it works wonders. Like with orchids - weakly weekly.

Jason

i was doing research on it and found quite a few sites that sold all different kinds of guano. i don't remember them right off the top of my head but it came up under organic fertilizers search.

Just the top soil alone should provide enough nutrients for you plants.

Top soils break down over short periods of time if they do not get nutrients that are removed by growing plants. Worms can be used to help add some nutrients back. If you use the top soil for anything longer than six months, it will degrade relatively quick.

Jason