Potted plants near birds? Mold?

Featheredsamurai · Aug 19, 2013

My mom really wants me to put a potted plant in my room, and the idea is really growing on me.

Is there a moderate-high risk of mold, specifically aspergillosis, if I bring in a potted plant into my room? The type of plant I want to get (plumeria tree) is supposed to remain moist and never fully dry out.

Featheredsamurai · Aug 19, 2013

I just read this online, but it's talking about people who already have aspergillosis.

HOUSE PLANTS
If you have an Aspergillus disease it is probably preferable to give away your houseplants,
as the soil and decomposed plant products encourage growth of mould which could affect
you adversely.

Kalidasa · Aug 20, 2013

You could go the way of desert succulents that do well in drier soil, or even air plants

MikeyTN · Aug 20, 2013

I've been keeping plants around my birds for years!!!! They can get Aspergillosis from newspaper and other things. As long as their immune system is kept in check they should be fine. Plants should be checked on a weekly basis anyways to pluck any dead plant parts and toss out the dirt plus the pot if needed be. Basically do your weekly maintenance otherwise just don't have a plant in your room, tell your mother you decline as your not a plant person?

weco · Aug 20, 2013

Copper, like Mikey said, if the bird(s) is/are healthy, you shouldn't have any problems.....the fungus that causes aspergillosis is aspergillus.....mold spores are all around us & we even, as do our birds, breath in the spores of the various molds in our areas everyday.....

While your plant/tree may need to remain moist, so do other plants people keep in their homes, without problems and, like Mikey said, you might have to appreciate a weekly plant maintenance regimen, along with your cage cleaning.....

While I know how to recognize & remediate mold growth, I don't know about controlling it in plants, but would assume it is the same as with controlling its growth in homes.....simply limit moisture levels to just what is needed for plant support.....maybe a hygrometer is in your future.....

JerseyWendy · Aug 20, 2013

Ashley, may I recommend an Orchid?

A moth orchid (Phalaenopsi) to be exact. Like this one for example (some of mine)

They are SUPER low maintenance, sit in orchid bark (NO soil), and only need watering once a week (I submerge the pots in rain water once a week and let them sit in there for a day).

Featheredsamurai · Aug 20, 2013

Thanks for the info, especially Mikey! I'm going to wait until Rosie's vet calls with her test results and if everything is good I'm going to give a plant a try. Aspergillosis is my big fear, I've heard terrible stories of how long it can take to heal and sometime the birds might not even make it. I know it's everywhere, and that scares me! Even more so now that I have Kenji and Greys are more prone than galahs.

Your orchids are BEAUTIFUL Wendy! I love them

maybe I'll try that type

sofiaee · Aug 21, 2013

I second the orchids! I love orchids! Oliver has taken to biting them though so when he's out I have to lower the blinds over them. He took a chunk out of the middle of one of my phals and surprisingly it is still growing roots and doing well.

Orchids are much easier to care for than most people think

sofiaee · Aug 21, 2013

Also that is a really nice collection!

sofiaee · Aug 21, 2013

Oh also I generally try to identify and research any plants in my house to see if they're safe. I have two itty bitty spider plants that I'm really excited to have grow because they're safe for birds and Oliver loooves tearing up plants. Sometimes soil can have fertilized in it that is unsafe for birds. Putting a layer of rocks on top of the soil works for most people though, plus it looks nice

Potted plants near birds? Mold?

Featheredsamurai

New member

Featheredsamurai

New member

Kalidasa

Active member

MikeyTN

New member

weco

New member

JerseyWendy

New member

Featheredsamurai

New member

sofiaee

New member

sofiaee

New member

sofiaee

New member

New Videos of My Flock

Answering morning flock calls?

Most Reactions

Similar threads

Latest posts