Weed seeds directly into substrate?

[Daffodil]

In a fit of impatience with the weed seeds I'm trying to grow in 2" pots for my tortoise, I scattered about a tablespoon of seeds right onto the substrate (coco coir & orchid bark) in Agamemnon's pvc enclosure.

The seeds sprouted within two days and are growing like crazy! I imagine they'll eventually die out bec of lack of nutrients in the coco coir, but for now, they look happy.

But.... Have I introduced a risk of mold by letting the seeds grow directly in the substrate? Should I take that area of substrate out and replace with new? Or let it go?

Thanks!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Yes, roots in substrate will mold eventually. Any sort of wet organic matter (food/poop leftovers) will mold. You can try to "spot clean" plant remains or add some springtails (if they aren't already there).

 

[Daffodil]

Yes, roots in substrate will mold eventually. Any sort of wet organic matter (food/poop leftovers) will mold. You can try to "spot clean" plant remains or add some springtails (if they aren't already there).

Oh, drat! I was afraid of that. Aggie seems to like his newly sprouted weed forest!

If I add springtails, what other consequences would that bring?

Where does one buy springtails, if I were to add some?

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Oh, drat! I was afraid of that. Aggie seems to like his newly sprouted weed forest!

If I add springtails, what other consequences would that bring?

Where does one buy springtails, if I were to add some?

Thanks so much for your help!

Springtails feed on mold and decaying organic matter and compete with fungus gnats for food. Usually there are no drawbacks in having some in the enclosure.

Potentially, they can attract some spiders or predatory mites but these are not harmful to the tortoise. At some point springtails population can be booming and hordes of white jumping bugs can look gross but that's not for long.

There are a lot of online stores like Josh's Frogs who sell them. You can also isolate a culture from outside. But chances high, there are some in your enclosure already (tiny white/light gray bugs with elongated bodies hanging in the dark and moist spots - e.g. under water or food dish).

 

[Daffodil]

But chances high, there are some in your enclosure already (tiny white/light gray bugs with elongated bodies hanging in the dark and moist spots - e.g. under water or food dish).

Thank you so much, Alex & the RF. I haven't seen any, but I just got and put together the enclosure with new substrate about 3 weeks ago, so maybe they're there but unseen as yet.

Would the mold from the plant roots be dangerous for my tortoise?

Maybe I'll order some from Josh's Frogs and try that.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Some mold spores can be toxic and irritating in high concentrations. Rotting organics also support bacteria growth. But it's not a huge deal unless it gets completely out of control. Many use leaf litter in box turtles enclosures and have no issues.