Moss

[larean]

Hi,
I've got a few slabs(?) of moss, and I'm afraid to place them in my terrarium (parasites). How do I desinfect them? I'm familiar with the 'baking' method, but I don't think it will work with moss :). I never really like cleaning with chemicals, so has anyone got any alternatives for me?

Thanks

[adamanteus]

Hi Christiaan, how about the microwave?

[larean]

I'm afraid I haven't got one. And isn't microwaving it the same as baking it in an oven? Either way ,you're overheating it, and I'm afraid that the moss will dry out, never to become green and lush again.

[larean]

But if I'm mistaken, please correct me. I haven't got much experience with moss.

[adamanteus]

Ah yes, it would most certainly kill it. If you want to keep it alive, I can't see how you can sterilize it.

[larean]

And now that we're at it, I've got another question for you: In holland we have something called 'eeuwig leven' (litterally 'eternal life'), a sort of ground-creeping plant which keeps growing steadily until there is a carpet of green (it's the same plant as on the picture). Do you think it's safe to grow it inside my enclosure?

[larean]

Dilemma dilemma dilemma

[larean]

I hope this is the photo:

[adamanteus]

I think it's Mentha. Does it smell of menthol?

[tikichick]

This page has a list of plants that are ok for reptiles:
Plants Suitable for Herp Habitats

More listed here:
Edible Plants List

Harmful and toxic plants:
Harmful & Toxic Plants

"Harmful Plants
The most extensive list of harmful and poisonous plants that I have found is in Sue Barnard's book Reptile Keeper's Handbook (Barnard, S. M. 1996. Reptile Keeper's Handbook. Krieger Publishing Company, Kreiger Drive, Malabar, FL. pp. 167-184. ISBN 089464-933-7). Permission to reprint the plant appendixes has been graciously provided to me by Sue Barnard and Krieger Publishing. To speed loading, I divided her Poisonous and Mechanical Injury appendixes into the following sections as well as made them available in PDF, plain text, and MS Word formats.

Harmful & Poisonous: A-G, H-N, O-Z; Plants Causing Mechanical Injury "