Catappa Leaves

[Halezii95]

I hope I’ve put this in the right place. I had the idea of putting catappa leaves in the substrate for an A.Gigas. Is this acceptable? Better alternatives? I have plenty of oak, however, I’m weary of collecting the leaves myself as I am paranoid that they simply won’t be sterilized properly. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[moricollins]

For my Isopods (I understand different than a millipede), I use oak leaves that I collect locally, wash with hot water, boil then dry. Catappa leaves will not necessarily be any less prone to chemical issues than locally sourced leaves

 

[BugLord]

I agree with @moricollins ,

I rinse locally sourced hardwood leaves (from areas that aren't near anywhere that would be using pesticides: ie trails and state parks). Then I bake each batch for 15 minutes on 200 F in the oven. I've even heard of some people "nuking" them in the microwave lol; but the general consensus is to rinse then heat up to kill any hitchhikers and foreign fungus. Just don't burn down your house or anything and you should find yourself with happy, healthy millipedes

Hope that helps,
Dagan H.

 

[Halezii95]

@moricollins @DaganH I appreciate the input AND the instructions. I Will try to set my worries aside and try it out. Can I sterilize wood the same way? While we’re at it, any tips for making your own substrate? Sorry for the 20 questions, just want to do right by my pedes.

 

[BugLord]

@moricollins @DaganH I appreciate the input AND the instructions. I Will try to set my worries aside and try it out. Can I sterilize wood the same way? While we’re at it, any tips for making your own substrate? Sorry for the 20 questions, just want to do right by my pedes.

No need to be sorry, I'd rather you ask 100 questions and be prepared than not be prepared and have a devastating experience.

Wood: I sterlize it by rinsing it, and cooking it around 200 F for 30 minutes, then I break it up.

Here's a good link for substrate, you can use it as a guide, since some ingredients may not be available to you:

My Very Fussy MILLIPEDE Substrate

These are the substrates I used for my juvenile giant african millipede. It hasn't arrived yet but I wanted to see if this was okay. I have mostly the coconut stuff on the bottom but then the blacker stuff on top. Any thoughts? If you want your millipedes to breed and not have them die for...

arachnoboards.com

And here is my recipe; everyone has some differences between recipes but all share common ingredients: plenty of rotting hardwood and leaves.

-leafgro organic compost (no ferts)
-Scott's Premium topsoil (no ferts)
-cocofibre (about 20%)
-oak pellets (soaked and rotting)
-hardwood leaves (mixed in and on top)
-rotten hardwood (mixed in and on top)
-handful of aspen shavings (mixed in)
-handful of sphagnum moss (mixed in and on top)
-crushed egg shell (sprinkled in)

 

[Halezii95]

No need to be sorry, I'd rather you ask 100 questions and be prepared than not be prepared and have a devastating experience.

Wood: I sterlize it by rinsing it, and cooking it around 200 F for 30 minutes, then I break it up.

Here's a good link for substrate, you can use it as a guide, since some ingredients may not be available to you:

My Very Fussy MILLIPEDE Substrate

These are the substrates I used for my juvenile giant african millipede. It hasn't arrived yet but I wanted to see if this was okay. I have mostly the coconut stuff on the bottom but then the blacker stuff on top. Any thoughts? If you want your millipedes to breed and not have them die for...

arachnoboards.com

And here is my recipe; everyone has some differences between recipes but all share common ingredients: plenty of rotting hardwood and leaves.

-leafgro organic compost (no ferts)
-Scott's Premium topsoil (no ferts)
-cocofibre (about 20%)
-oak pellets (soaked and rotting)
-hardwood leaves (mixed in and on top)
-rotten hardwood (mixed in and on top)
-handful of aspen shavings (mixed in)
-handful of sphagnum moss (mixed in and on top)
-crushed egg shell (sprinkled in)

Wow! Wow! Wow! Thanks for all the info! This weekend I will be on an oak acreage. Looks like I have some work to do. Thanks for your help

 

[BugLord]

Wow! Wow! Wow! Thanks for all the info! This weekend I will be on an oak acreage. Looks like I have some work to do. Thanks for your help

Of course, anytime!