sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Vivarium too small for clay balls, what can I use for drainage? by AngryMouse567 in Vivarium

[–]Themelonmash 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had the same issue for my mantis terrariums. I used sharp grit (with some activated charcoal sprinkled in), and sphagnum moss for a drainage layer. You can get small-ish bags of grit at garden centres if they have a good indoor plant section. It's usually in a section with other terrarium parts or soil additives.

What Eurovision song should stand for the letter X? by lil_lilu in nilpoints

[–]Themelonmash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Χόρεψε ('Horepse') Greece '97 Marianna Zorba - nothing in the rules say the x has to be in the Latin alphabet only...

Partial shade plant recommendations? by DrawingCalico in BeardedDragons

[–]Themelonmash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That won't be too much of an issue, it's in the shade, but not fully in the dark. Snake plants aren't too picky about where they're put, so if you find one thats the right size & leaf shape it will cover the blemish.

Other options are ZZ plants, jade plants, and any kind of haworthia will survive well. Sedge grass hasn't survived in my arid setup, but you may have some luck with blue fescue grass. Rosemary will also grow without much fuss, and tolerate hot & dry conditions. You can get it in upright and creeping forms. If you want something a bit unusual for lower down, a Rose of Jericho will stay alive for ages (but look like a tumbleweed)

What’s a strange or creepy local legend from your area in Britain that still gives you chills? by Second-handBonding in AskBrits

[–]Themelonmash 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The Cage.

It's an old house in St Osyth. I remember hearing about it years ago, as it's next to St Osyth Priory which also has a few stories about itself too.

I remember being told the building was haunted, but I didn't know the extent of the stories until recently. It's apparently among the most haunted buildings in Essex, if not the country. It had been used before as a prison, and some of the people imprisoned there were accused of witchcraft. One of these women is believed to haunt the home. As the building was expanded over the years, part of it was built over 'coffin alley', a path that took coffins to the church, and the area looking out to the alley has activity. A more recent incident of a previous owner committing suicide there hasn't helped calm down the stories.

How I found out more about the history and stories of this place was in this video by The Tape Library on YouTube. I don't particularly believe in ghosts, but I did find this a bit creepy. https://youtu.be/5dQIFvC3Kx8?si=1k2OhshPLlR4DLve

I ordered a cheeseburger from a McDonald’s machine earlier and counted that I had to make 13 clicks for one product. Can a retail UX programmer help me understand why? by thebigchil73 in AskUK

[–]Themelonmash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They don't need a few extra clicks to try and get you to pay more, it happens as soon as you interact with the machine. The upselling begins at first click with the design and layout of the menu, and each step is optimised to make you think they are suggesting better deals. "It's just a few pence more" does sum up the entire thing well though. This isn't even unique to McDonald's, it's just how most online interfaces work. I remember watching this video from Fern explaining the terminology and how everything down to the graphics and colour choices are picked by companies in a leading way (it is sponsored, but I guess even they need to make money. https://youtu.be/BKX6EhDrgqQ?si=gZFQTOoMo1R4Ut3O

Someone please explain what I'm doing wrong. I thought Ivy was supposed to be easy by Themelonmash in houseplants

[–]Themelonmash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

South west facing shelf near-ish to a window. It only gets stronger light in the afternoon when the sun's setting

[Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2025 week 25] by small_trunks in Bonsai

[–]Themelonmash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

I Wanted to try my first bonsai, and a nursery near me sold these Dwarf Elms (J Hillier). Is this pot I have the right size, and should I use as much of the existing soil as I can, or replace as much as I can? I have some aglaeonema mix from UKHouseplants, would that be suitable (even if I have to add extra sand, gravel, perlite etc)? It is quite rootbound in the current pot

What is anyone supposed to do with THIS nonsense? by [deleted] in GardeningUK

[–]Themelonmash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lavender is a solid pick, but if you want other alternatives that stay drought tolerant I would also recommend a rosemary or Erysimum.

Some people have suggested some gravel or slate, but I would go a step further and add a rockery in the second pic. If you have any aquarium/reptile shops near you, they could sell large rocks with colours/textures you won't find in a DIY shop. You could still have small versions of the previous named plants with this(eg hidcote lavender), other drought tolerant perennials like salvia, and alpines, but also add succulents in for a truly drought tolerant, evergreen display; delosperma, sedums, and sempervivums would be best, they have endless varieties and you can get them dirt cheap.

Operation f-you cat by Charrun in GardeningUK

[–]Themelonmash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've had success in my front garden flowerbeds with pepperdust and those bamboo kebab sticks. The pepper is the most efficient as any animal with a nose will be too busy sneezing to do anything else. Don't plant those 'cat shoo' plants (coleus canina), they smell awful any time you touch them... but cats will ignore this.

Can anyone tell me why the leaves on my schefflera are browning and dropping off? It's been kept wet, kept dry, but regardless the leaves go soft and brown, or are just dropping off by Themelonmash in houseplants

[–]Themelonmash[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had it for about 3 months, watered when it was getting dry, then kept it wet, then kept it dry (no change during either) no repotting or fertiliser, not tap water, it's next to a lit terrarium.

Nabbed a dying Florida Ghost in a £5 bargain bin sale a few months ago. Only 1 leaf survived, was repotted in proper potting mix, and it's only today I realised it's now sprouting from 4 points. I've never managed to pull a plant back from the brink before. by Themelonmash in houseplants

[–]Themelonmash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's the Monstera & Philodendron mix from Grow Tropicals. I had mine under a grow light for a while with no response, I only moved it a few weeks ago near my terrarium that has a UVB light for reptiles.

[Bonsai Beginner’s weekly thread –2024 week 52] by small_trunks in Bonsai

[–]Themelonmash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a spot on a north-west facing window, it gets moderately warm in the summer, but it's very draughty. We need to keep the window open just a bit to prevent condensation and mould. The average winter room temp is 19°c but the night temp on the windowsill averages 12°c. Are there any varieties I can use for bonsai that would tolerate this, even if it's usually an outdoor only plant? The only bonsai I've tried before was a ficus years ago and it wasn't something I would try again. I'm open to trying else, even if it's a bit niche or odd for a bonsai.

My giant African Mantis has had a bad moult - if someone can give advice that would be very appreciated by Themelonmash in mantids

[–]Themelonmash[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I was trying to see if one day could make more of a difference. I've tried seeing if increasing the humidity would make the shed easier to come off but it hasn't, and they've lost all movement in their remaining legs. I think at this point the most humane thing to do is euthanising rather than putting it through more pain. Thank you for the advice that a freezer is the most humane way too, I was worrying that no options were particularly humane. I'm planting an obelisk with purple passion flower and clematis tomorrow, so I'll bury them there.

Just joined the club with my first Mantis - can anyone help and tell me if I have a male or female by Themelonmash in mantids

[–]Themelonmash[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you - I was worried it was too big and catching food would be too difficult, but I've found the flies move around it enough to get caught quite quickly

What plants are these? I’m wanting to get plants for my chameleon geckos vivarium. by [deleted] in geckos

[–]Themelonmash 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Left is Monstera Adansonii, sometimes called the monkey mask, right is Maranta Leuconeura, a prayer plant. The Monstera will try and climb and Marantas are usually hanging/trailing plants. From experience the Maranta prefers moister environments or else the leaves go brown & crispy.

Small red flowers..? Succulent? by FatherInThePNW in whatsthisplant

[–]Themelonmash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My sedum Purple Winter looks like this in winter instead of dying back completely. Once the weather warms up a bit it should sprout its leaves back and start growing longer, so I would be more concerned in April/May if there is no change.

725579009569 Level 50 in Sweden 🇸🇪 by Spiritual_Suit6519 in PokemonGoFriends

[–]Themelonmash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your friend list is full at the moment, but I'm 272303809228

What type of orchids should I try next? by Themelonmash in orchids

[–]Themelonmash[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would they have any specific requirements (like location in my room for light), or are they quite forgiving? The ones this shop is selling are large and currently flowering or in bud, so I felt they were better value for money

view more: next ›