Any kind of potting soil? ASAP

[petlover02]

I'm just wondering if any kind of potting soil is applicable for tarantulas because theres a lot of potting soil in the markets like walmart or homedepot that has a lot of content, is ok for me to use it for my pet tarantulas? Does the content of the soil give any harmful effects to my T's?

 

[newspidermom]

NO NO NO!!! NO potting soils! Most potting soils have fertilizers and/or soil ammendments for planting. If you buy anything from walmart or home depot make sure it's just PLAIN PEAT MOSS ONLY! Read the ingredients and make sure ther's no additives or funny things you can't pronounce.

 

[petlover02]

NO NO NO!!! NO potting soils! Most potting soils have fertilizers and/or soil ammendments for planting. If you buy anything from walmart or home depot make sure it's just PLAIN PEAT MOSS ONLY! Read the ingredients and make sure ther's no additives or funny things you can't pronounce.

It says here in the ingredients: "This potting mix is formulated regionally from canadian sphagnum peat moss, composted forest products, horticultural perlite, lime(for proper pH balance), and controlled release fertilizer." Is this a bad news or a good news for my T's?

 

[newspidermom]

Bad....it has lime and fertilizer in it...no good.

 

[KoriTamashii]

NO NO NO!!! NO potting soils! Most potting soils have fertilizers and/or soil ammendments for planting. If you buy anything from walmart or home depot make sure it's just PLAIN PEAT MOSS ONLY! Read the ingredients and make sure ther's no additives or funny things you can't pronounce.

Incorrect. There is such a thing as plain old potting soil, and many keepers use it alone or in a mix with peat moss or coco fiber with their T's.

 

[petlover02]

so does it mean that the potting soil that I've bought is not suitable for my T's due to the contents?:?

 

[Scoolman]

so does it mean that the potting soil that I've bought is not suitable for my T's due to the contents?:?

The fertilizer would not be good for your T. You need to find an organic potting soil without the fertilizers and added chemicals.

 

[Formerphobe]

Some potting soils have pine mulch in them. This is no good either.
No fertilizers, no pesticides, no pine, no extraneous additives.

 

[petlover02]

The fertilizer would not be good for your T. You need to find an organic potting soil without the fertilizers and added chemicals.

oh I see just my luck because I haven't use this new potting soil yet. Thanks for the info

---------- Post added at 06:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:49 PM ----------

Some potting soils have pine mulch in them. This is no good either.
No fertilizers, no pesticides, no pine, no extraneous additives.

oh ya pesticides is a no no but for the other contents I didn't know that! thanks!

 

[newspidermom]

Kori....you are right...I stand corrected...there are "organic" potting soils, but i felt it better to steer them away from using potting soils altogether for the time being since they are unsure. Better safe than sorry. That way they can look into it a little further and find a potting soil that will work.

 

[phoenixxavierre]

I've used plain potting soil many times through the years and have had no problems with it. I make sure and buy PLAIN potting soil, no fertilizers, no chemicals, etc. Just depends on what kind you get. I usually will mix the soil with either peat moss and/or sand. You have to make sure and look over the bag very carefully, and if you have any doubts you can always call the number or go to the website, usually listed on the bag to be sure. I'm not using any potting soil right now with any of my keeps but when I had a huge collection I did, and without any negative effects. I also found that it was usually the cheapest bags that had no chemicals or other crap in them. But it's been a while since I used any, few years, so things may have changed since then. Not sure.

 

[petlover02]

I've used plain potting soil many times through the years and have had no problems with it. I make sure and buy PLAIN potting soil, no fertilizers, no chemicals, etc. Just depends on what kind you get. I usually will mix the soil with either peat moss and/or sand. You have to make sure and look over the bag very carefully, and if you have any doubts you can always call the number or go to the website, usually listed on the bag to be sure. I'm not using any potting soil right now with any of my keeps but when I had a huge collection I did, and without any negative effects. I also found that it was usually the cheapest bags that had no chemicals or other crap in them. But it's been a while since I used any, few years, so things may have changed since then. Not sure.

So the potting soil that i 've bought is not suitable for my T's right?

 

[phoenixxavierre]

So the potting soil that i 've bought is not suitable for my T's right?

"This potting mix is formulated regionally from canadian sphagnum peat moss, composted forest products, horticultural perlite, lime(for proper pH balance), and controlled release fertilizer."

You are correct, it's NOT suitable, though it might be great stuff for any plants you'd like to grow.

What would worry me is the lime and the fertilizer.

The potting soil I've used in the past had nothing at all added. I've bought it at various places, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, etc. and was usually the least expensive bag. You might look at the bags of "topsoil" as well. I've used plain topsoil also, which was just bagged dirt without any chemicals.

 

[Najakeeper]

Peat moss comes in very large bags and is very cheap. I use it direct for dry loving species and mixed with vermiculite and/or coconut coir for humidity loving species. I barely spend anything on substrate compared to what I used to for my reptiles with brand name substrates.

As for dirt with any kinda chemicals in it, use it for your plants. Better safe than sorry.

 

[phoenixxavierre]

yes, not to mention peat is MUCH lighter, unless soaked with water.

 

[petlover02]

thank you all!! :worship: