Soil

[Angi]

I just remodled Trudi's encloser. As someone suggested I used Miracle Grow Organic. It stinks, it kind of has a cedar smell to it. I have Trudi in my bathtub while it airs out. Is it okay to put her back in her enclosure? I need an answer asap. She doesn't like the bathtub....Yes it is empty

 

[PeanutbuttER]

I just remodled Trudi's encloser. As someone suggested I used Miracle Grow Organic. It stinks, it kind of has a cedar smell to it. I have Trudi in my bathtub while it airs out. Is it okay to put her back in her enclosure? I need an answer asap. She doesn't like the bathtub....Yes it is empty

From what i've read and heard, miracle grow organic top soil will stink for about 3 days before it stops smelling. I'm not sure if it's safe or not to put a tortoise in there while it's still airing out, but just to be safe I'd say not to do so until someone more experienced with it comes and says otherwise it's best to keep your tort elsewhere.

I've never used the stuff before, but why does it smell like cedar? That's not one of the ingredients is it? Cedar can be noxious, so there's another reason why you should probably not put Trudi back in there.

 

[Angi]

There is not any cedar in it. That is just what I think it smells like.

 

[tortoisenerd]

As long as it is not wet (damp is good), and the proper temperature gradient, then yes it is fine to put the tort in. I'm assuming you are wanting to make sure the smell won't harm her? Do make sure it doesn't have those tiny white ball things in the soil. Don't know the name, just that they are bad.

 

[Missy]

Hi Angi, I am going to do some research on it because Miricle Grow puts lime in there organic soil and I know when at work(garden center) I get lime on my skin it burns and is worse when it gets wet. Look at the small print on the bag and see if it lists lime? I use the cheap bag top soil(nothing added) mixed with cocoa coir.

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Hi Angi, I am going to do some research on it because Miricle Grow puts lime in there organic soil and I know when at work(garden center) I get lime on my skin it burns and is worse when it gets wet. Look at the small print on the bag and see if it lists lime? I use the cheap bag top soil(nothing added) mixed with cocoa coir.

Update- I have tried to find info on the effects of garden lime on animals with no luck. I don't know if it is safe or not but a lot of people on here use MG soil. I don't know how to find the answer all I know is when I have to load bags of lime it sets my skin on fire and I run water on it for like 5 min. At first the water makes it burn more then it feels better. Maybe Danny would know.

 

[Angi]

I looked and didn't see lyme (sp?). She seems to like the plants.

I freaked out. The dog next door was in my yard and I couldn't find her. I was yelling and taking her hide apart. My son was running around the yard looking. I knew that Lab had gotten her, but where was she...was she still alive....was she hurt...I was SO scared....she was in her box behind a fern...Thank God I didn't kill the dog.......