i am currently creating a small outdoor enclosure for my little ones to play in and wanted some ideas of plants i could add? They have a permanent indoor cage with lamp etc but the substrate is hemp which is a bit inconvenient when itake it outside as i don't really wnat it getting rained on but if i build the same thing outside with sand/soil substrate then I can just pop them in and leave them for a few hours (I hope) . What are your views?
thanks Karin x
I'd definatley get some lavendar, heather, rosemary and hebe for shade, some pansies for grazing, and if you could, section off a section and sew natural weeds in for grazing.
Mine love their carex grass plant too
Josh
Are they ok with lavendar, heather and Rosemary then? i have loads of those in the garden so that would be easy.
Which is the carex grass? is that the very fine grass which flops over? What about if i just throw some weed seeds in? do you think that will work?
Karin x
Yes, Carex grass is the thin stuff that flops over, they are really good for shade. I wouldn't *just* sprinkle weed seeds, but it would hurt to have alot of shady plants as in the wild hatchlings spend alot of time under humid bushes.
I got a fab guinea pig cage from freecycle with a cage top so ihave bleached and scrubbed it and today i drilled some holes in so it looks like a seed tray lol! Now i am happy that my sand and soil is okay i will fill it tomorrow and get some plants from B and Q. The rest of my "own grown " weeds seem to be taking ages to get to a decent size so may have to transplant some !
Would plants grow in a guinea pig cage? I haven't got any in mine as I didnt think it would be deep enough.. will transplant some pansies into there!
Depends how deep you have the soil I should think... I cant see why not . Only one way to find out I suppose
The main thing about having plants in shallow containers is the same as in hanging baskets - you have to protect the roots from scorching or drying out (so make sure it is deep enough) and from being waterlogged (so make sure there are drainage holes in the container). I think I wil try putting some tiny ones into pots and planting weed seeds in tiny plant pots and then sinking them in so I can remove them and replace easily enough without disturbing the roots.
Off on a rescue mission now so will let you know when i have done it ....
I didn't think of it that way, Good idea. Will definatley be transplanting some stuff into my babies cage. I have also put it on an angle and it gets flooded with sun all day! Have added a bigger hide as a precaution, but they love it!
The soil drains really well because the bottom is all holey (like my socks <G>
Good luck on the rescue mission, text me when you are done because I'm really worried!
Have PM'd you aswell
Josh