Is there anyway to make store-bought plants safe?

scarhbar23

New Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2021
Messages
14
Location (City and/or State)
Colorado Springs
As the title states, is there anyways to make the plants safe to plant in the enclosure for my tort? I’m assuming no, and I just need to grow them myself, but those dang succulents take forever to grow. Hoping there’s a chance!
 

Jannra

Member
Joined
May 2, 2021
Messages
75
Location (City and/or State)
Canadian Prairie
From what I understand if you give the plants new dirt, so that you know the dirt is safe, and you wait 6 months to a year so that the plant has rid itself of any pesticides. Then it is safe.
 

scarhbar23

New Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2021
Messages
14
Location (City and/or State)
Colorado Springs
From what I understand if you give the plants new dirt, so that you know the dirt is safe, and you wait 6 months to a year so that the plant has rid itself of any pesticides. Then it is safe.
Would that change if I find it in the wild?
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Would that change if I find it in the wild?
Of course.

Store bought decorative plants are required to be grown with systemic pesticides. It takes a year for theses pesticides to dissipate. A plant growing wild somewhere wouldn't have these pesticides.
 

scarhbar23

New Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2021
Messages
14
Location (City and/or State)
Colorado Springs
Of course.

Store bought decorative plants are required to be grown with systemic pesticides. It takes a year for theses pesticides to dissipate. A plant growing wild somewhere wouldn't have these pesticides.
Ahh I should clarify; not “wild” like far out in nature, but as in an empty lot by my neighbor’s house. I’ve never seen them spray for pesticides over there, but I don’t want to take any chances
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Ahh I should clarify; not “wild” like far out in nature, but as in an empty lot by my neighbor’s house. I’ve never seen them spray for pesticides over there, but I don’t want to take any chances
I look for bugs and make sure the plants look "right". Spiders, ants, caterpillars and leaf damage from bugs are all good indicators that there are no pesticides. When they spray weed killers, the plants discolor pretty quickly.
 

scarhbar23

New Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2021
Messages
14
Location (City and/or State)
Colorado Springs
I look for bugs and make sure the plants look "right". Spiders, ants, caterpillars and leaf damage from bugs are all good indicators that there are no pesticides. When they spray weed killers, the plants discolor pretty quickly.
Ah ok, cool! Maybe just quarantine them a couple weeks or so?
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Ah ok, cool! Maybe just quarantine them a couple weeks or so?
That wouldn't hurt, but if you see bugs and bug damage, probably not needed. I've never tried to transplant weeds and such. I just collect it and feed it out.
 

New Posts

Top