Live Plants-What kind of dirt?

[Kayla]

Hi,

I was thinking of redoing my cresties tank with live plants and I was wondering what kind of dirt is okay? I have miracle grow for just normal plants around the house, but I was wondering if the fertilizer in it could hurt them? And if not miracle grow what kind of dirt I should use?

Thanks! : )

[samanthajane13]

I would use organic peat moss lightened with a bit of playground sand.

[Kayla]

Do you know where I could get the organic peat moss?

[samanthajane13]

Any hone & garden center should have it...or Lowe's or Home Depot.

[Kayla]

Okie dokie I'll be sure to check it out. I couldn't find any last time I went, but this time I'll wrangle up an employee to help me : ) Thanks for your help!

[samanthajane13]

No problem!!

If they don't have it at one of the chain stores,head out to the 'burbs and try a plant nursery.  Tell them you need it for a vivarium with geckos, so you don't want fertilizers or pesticides in it.

They should be able to help you find some.

[Kayla]

That's probably what I'll have to end up doing...I just wish I was still living in MN because those were everywhere I lived two miles from a nursery. 

[Kayla]

I did end up going to Lowe's they had a 50 pound bale for 9 bucks, and we planted the tank! It looks awesome thank you so much for the help!

[samanthajane13]

Hey-if we don't have pictures, it didn't officially happen!!

Let's SEE!!!

[Kayla]

I posted a new thread, but I promise pictures are existant. Once we finish my Leo's tank I'll put those up too!

[samanthajane13]

LOL-I was just teasin' ya, hon!!

But we all LOVE to drool over new pics!!


 

[Kayla]

I know, I stalk here just to drool over other people's geckos and other reptiles! : )

[crazytanak]

I use reptile substrate i found in the pet store. Its similar in texture to mulch, but not quite so chunky. does great for the cresties and the plants

[Leif]

Im subscribing to see the outcome. I used to go to a nursery in the next city over and ask for potting soil with no additives. I would always get the what's it for? And I would explain that it was for geckos so I don't want any fertilizers, just dirt. Oh the looks LOL 

[Heather]

Since all my terrariums are natural, I'm a big dirt buyer. I find it hard to buy dirt without any (crap) in it. like perlite or vermiculite or fertilizers. Once you find your dirt, and you add your own sand and whatever to it, it's still just dirt.
The real secret is Worms. Keeping a few healthy nightcrawlers to do the house keeping is GREAT! I usually go 2 years without having to actually clean the terrarium, and even then I do it just on principle and not because I think it needs it.
once you've got that balance it's a beautiful thing. It has it's risks, but I've managed Seven some-odd years without incident (touch wood). And I always mist with distilled water so that I don't get scale. Keeps the maintenance down and the exo's looking great.