Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going to be getting a vield chameleon in a week or so. I have many live plants that are non-toxic, hibiscus, pothos, croton, ficus, brommeliad, and spider plant. Some on these plants I have had for a long time (the pothos is groing all around my living room). Wondering how I should clean them and repot them to make them safe? Some of the roots are so thick I cant get the dirt out to repot.

If anyone could help me that knows that would be great!

thanx

i know you can take soap and water to the leaves and clean those off, gently of course, but i'm no good with repotting so maybe someone else can give some input...

Fill a large CLEAN bucket with water. Something that can fit the entire plant in it.

Put a small amount of antibacterial soap in the water. Stir the water around without making bubbles. There shouldnt be enough soap in it to make any bubbles.

Put a bag over the put and soil and tie it tight around the base of the trunk.

Turn you plants upside down and swish them in the water for a minute. If it has larger leafs to your best to gently scrub them. Better done with 2 people.

Then take plant out and let sit for a few minutes. Now after it has dried for a few minutes in the sun, take it to a sink and rinse with clean water to get and soap residue of it.

Next dig it out of the pot. wash the roots quickly. DO NOT LET THEM STAY OUT OF THE SOIL FOR LONG OR DRY OUT. The plant may die soon after if they dry out too muchRe Pot it in a NEW cleaned pot with SAFE soil without any additives.

is it ok to use organic soil with organic fertilizers?

Yes, but make sure it doesnt say "chemical additives" anywhere on the bag. They sometimes advertize them as "Organic Soil" but add "chemical additives" in the ingredients.

just make sure u rinse it real good, and make sure there is no fertilizer in the plant just cut the bucket and pull it out and put it in a new with a little dirt on the bottom then fill it in, i work at a nursery/ landscaping job