Shield Plant

Description

Shield Plant

Pellaea rotundifolia

Product Description

The Shield Plant is a compact evergreen fern with distinctive rounded green leaves growing along slender, dark stems. Its dense, natural-looking foliage makes it an attractive addition to tropical and woodland-style bioactive vivarium’s.

Its manageable growth and gently arching fronds help create shaded areas and visual cover without quickly taking over the enclosure. It can be planted directly into a suitable bioactive substrate or kept inside its pot until you are ready to position it permanently.

The Shield Plant is best suited to enclosures with moderate humidity, good ventilation and moist but well-drained soil. Avoid allowing the roots to remain constantly saturated.

Why It Works Well in a Bioactive Vivarium

The Shield Plant can help:

• Create natural visual cover for enclosure inhabitants
• Add height and texture to planted displays
• Provide shaded areas around the lower levels of the vivarium
• Use moisture and nutrients from the bioactive substrate
• Support a natural forest-floor appearance
• Create planting areas around cork bark, wood and rocks

Its compact growth makes it particularly useful in small and medium-sized planted vivariums. It may need protection from large, heavy or highly active animals that could crush or uproot the plant.

Basic Bioactive Care Guide

Light:
Provide low to medium-strength filtered light. Bright indirect light is suitable, but avoid intense direct light or placing the plant too close to a powerful grow light.

Watering:
Keep the substrate lightly and evenly moist. Allow excess water to drain away and do not leave the roots sitting in waterlogged soil.

Humidity:
Moderate to high humidity is suitable, provided the enclosure also has adequate airflow. Constantly stagnant and saturated conditions may damage the roots and foliage.

Substrate:
Plant into a loose, well-draining bioactive substrate containing materials such as organic soil, leaf mould, orchid bark and drainage components. Do not bury the centre or crown of the plant too deeply.

Temperature:
Normal tropical vivarium temperatures are generally suitable. Protect the plant from cold draughts, extreme heat and direct contact with heating equipment.

Positioning:
Place the Shield Plant toward the middle or lower section of the enclosure where it receives filtered light. Leave enough room around the plant for its fronds to spread.

Maintenance:
Remove damaged or decaying leaves as required. Trim older growth with clean scissors and monitor the base of the plant for excessive moisture.

Before Adding It to an Animal Enclosure

Bio Forest recommends rinsing the leaves, inspecting the plant carefully and removing as much commercial potting compost as practical before planting. Use only plants that have not been treated with unsuitable pesticides, leaf-shine products or systemic chemicals.

Plant suitability must always be considered alongside the particular reptile, amphibian or invertebrate species being housed. Some animals may dig up, crush or eat live plants.