I performed a search of the substrate forum and didn't see any mention of ABG substrate. It stands for Atlanta Botanical Garden, since they created the formula. Mainly, it was developed for growing tropical plants, like epiphytes, that need some moisture retention in the potting soil, but also severe drainage and lots of air around their roots. The substrate mix consists of a specific ratio of orchid (fir) bark, milled sphagnum moss, activated coal (carbon), peat moss, and tree fern (root) fiber.
I've used ABG for years, and it grows lots of tropicals just fine, quite a few that are terrestrial, too. Anyway, I think that since many torts don't really need a very moisture retentive substrate, and tree fern fiber is similar to pointy little twigs, a few of the ingredients could be deleted and or swapped out to make a tortoise version that offers something more combined than any ingredient can on its own.
So, I would use ground coconut husk instead of peat. Orchid bark is already commonly in use, so that accounts for ingredient #2. Finally, we have activated carbon/charcoal. It supposedly absorbs some nutrients, and possibly odors, potentially helping keep things fresher, for a while - it can be obtained in similarly sorted sizes as orchid bark - but could lose it's effectiveness overtime. So I think the real benefit in using the ingredient is that it doesn't decay. And it's not like grill charcoal, in case you were wondering.
My proposed ratio:
1 part milled coconut husk (coco bedding)
2 parts orchid bark
2 parts coal
This should allow a little moisture retention to help provide humidity, but drain well and keep the surface from being overly wet. It also makes sense that the harder materials would provide a more firm natural resistance for the torts while they move around than using coconut millings alone.
I'm also interested in not having coco bits on everything. To that effect, the ingredients could be layered, with coco on the bottom, bark on top. Something to think about, unless the species digs a lot. However, a few good rounds of heavy misting may help flush coco bits from the surface and down into void spaces. By the way, I would plan to use this mix with a false bottom, to prevent water from sitting in the substrate and wicking up or causing rot or tort health problems.
When ordering orchid bark and carbon/coal in the past, I've found Cal-West Orchid Supply to offer decent prices on bulk substrate material. However, they appear to have been converted into Flori-Culture since my last order and they don't seem to carry orchid bark any longer. They still have 'charcoal'; $10 for 1/4 cubic foot, about 30 for an entire cf.
I'm considering giving this mix idea a try in the indoor enclosure I'm finishing up. Any thoughts? Has anyone tried something similar?
Thanks,
Mike
I've used ABG for years, and it grows lots of tropicals just fine, quite a few that are terrestrial, too. Anyway, I think that since many torts don't really need a very moisture retentive substrate, and tree fern fiber is similar to pointy little twigs, a few of the ingredients could be deleted and or swapped out to make a tortoise version that offers something more combined than any ingredient can on its own.
So, I would use ground coconut husk instead of peat. Orchid bark is already commonly in use, so that accounts for ingredient #2. Finally, we have activated carbon/charcoal. It supposedly absorbs some nutrients, and possibly odors, potentially helping keep things fresher, for a while - it can be obtained in similarly sorted sizes as orchid bark - but could lose it's effectiveness overtime. So I think the real benefit in using the ingredient is that it doesn't decay. And it's not like grill charcoal, in case you were wondering.
My proposed ratio:
1 part milled coconut husk (coco bedding)
2 parts orchid bark
2 parts coal
This should allow a little moisture retention to help provide humidity, but drain well and keep the surface from being overly wet. It also makes sense that the harder materials would provide a more firm natural resistance for the torts while they move around than using coconut millings alone.
I'm also interested in not having coco bits on everything. To that effect, the ingredients could be layered, with coco on the bottom, bark on top. Something to think about, unless the species digs a lot. However, a few good rounds of heavy misting may help flush coco bits from the surface and down into void spaces. By the way, I would plan to use this mix with a false bottom, to prevent water from sitting in the substrate and wicking up or causing rot or tort health problems.
When ordering orchid bark and carbon/coal in the past, I've found Cal-West Orchid Supply to offer decent prices on bulk substrate material. However, they appear to have been converted into Flori-Culture since my last order and they don't seem to carry orchid bark any longer. They still have 'charcoal'; $10 for 1/4 cubic foot, about 30 for an entire cf.
I'm considering giving this mix idea a try in the indoor enclosure I'm finishing up. Any thoughts? Has anyone tried something similar?
Thanks,
Mike