Planters?

[seahawksfan_74]

I have seen that some people use pill containers and others use paint can lids. Would film canisters work? Or would these be too small. Which ever I use drainage would seem to be an issue. Should I put holes in whatever I use to ensure drainage? I intend to have most if not all of my plants up on the background so would I have to make a path for moisture to go right through the foam?

Also if I have coco bark that is too close to a water feature will it wick water through the background? Should I ensure that there is a barrier between the fiber and the water?

[RecycledAgain]

I stop buy my local super pet stores and ask if I can have the pots from the dead aquatic plants. They used to just toss them in the garbage.

Drainage shouldnt be a concern if your just misting the wall.

I would use a barrier, The coco acts like a sponge for me. I usually build it in with gs or expanded clay pelets, bog plants and moss to break up the wicking effect.

Dan

[froggsong]

With the film canisters, it would depend on the plant and how much space it needs for it's roots. Some plants would be fine in something that small, and some wouldn't. I have some planters in my GS in the frog tank that I just carved from the GS and put plants in. It's a little hard to carve it the way you want though (which could have been because of the way my tank is built). You can make a planter out of anything that is the right size for the roots of the plant you want to put there. I'd say that a variety of sizes can be better than all one size. If you really feel the need for drainage, you can poke a hole in the bottom of whatever you used for a "pot". If you don't have containers that are appropriate sizes, you can fill a plastic bag with something (sand, gravel, whatever will hold it's shape when pressed on firmly) and just GS around the bag, pull it out when it's cured, and viola! instant planter, in whatever size you need. Those planter Recycled mentioned work really well too. I didn't think about asking for them at the pet store, that's a good idea.

I've found that an easy way to mount broms is to cut off the pups, leave on the long stem, and then press the woody stem into the GS until you reach the base of the plant. You can then wrap a little sphagnum around the base of the plant at the GS and use a couple of staples to hold the moss to the BG to encourage root growth.

[seahawksfan_74]

Argggg! Plants scare me, I have no experience with them, I can't picture them and I don't know what I want. It makes it really tough to plan the size of the planters, but I will try my best and go from there. I didn't realize I could plant broms stright into the GS I will have to try that. I want a fern of some type too, but I guess it depends on the one I choose there too. Shesh so many decisions!

[froggsong]

For the most part, broms put out roots to anchor themselves, rather than to take up water and nutrients. They do all that through the center cup.

I HIGHLY suggest that you purchase your plants BEFORE you do your BG. I let mine grow for a while before I put them in the vive, and I find that it works a little better that way (for me at least). I am an idiot when it comes to plants too, but the time with them still in their pots helps me learn how to care for each plant and by learning that, where it is best suited to go in the vive. This also allows you to plan placement of your plants before you lay your GS. If you just choose random places for your planters, you might not find plants that are suited to the spots you pick, whether it be from lighting, watering, size, or traffic. Once you get the plants, you don't have to wait to lay down the GS, because you have them all there and you can decide how to arrange them. Then you'll have all the plants growing happily while you finish the tank and get it ready for planting.

[froggsong]

Here's a pic of some of my plants that I have amassed for my vives:



There are more plants on that table, but I can't find the cord for my camera to get the pics out of the internal memory. There are also more plants on top of the CWD tank, I'll probably move those shortly so they are on the table too, that window gets good sunlight all day.

Make sure when you go to buy broms (if you by them from a store and not online) that you buy the plants with the most pups growing off of them. More plants for your money, lol. All of those broms in the bin and on the wood came out of three pots. The green ones came in a larger pot than the others, with three mother plants and pups, and the purple ones were two mother plants and pups. I got 7 pups off of one of the pots of purple ones.

EDIT: Oh, and that's my CWD, Rikutu, sneaking into the photo, lol... Isn't she purty?

[beckdg]

hey froggy... where do we vote???... i am so excited... i think i'll be the only one voting for my favorite... me lol

[seahawksfan_74]

Thanks for the info froggy, however it is a little too late I am afraid as I have foamed about 80% of my BG. I will make sure to have my plants first if there is a next time. Not sure the wife will let me lol. Though I am embarassed by the anole cage now that I know what I can do with it... Anyway I will have to try to pick plants that will work with what I have done. I am also out of budget right now, wife just went on mat leave so I have to wait for EI. Maybe someone on Freecycle can help out.

[froggsong]

If you have time, you can propagate some things from seeds or cuttings. Definitely post an ad on Freecycle asking for plants, babies, seeds, clippings, etc.

beck, I'm sorry, I'll go post the thread now. It has slipped my mind all day.

[seahawksfan_74]

Great ideas again Froggy, I have nothing but time. My promise to my wife is that I will take my time. I want to have the plants as stable as possible before adding RETF. I am not sure where I can find plants to get cuttings from but I will look for local groups or something. I am sure there are tons of options. I will look at HD too. Is there a good place to order seeds online? or where do you find em.