2 questions, please help the Zoe-monster!

[ZoeRipper]

A) Well, the ooth I got from Rick is expected to hatch within at least the next 3 weeks, if not later.

So my question to you guys is how many weeks before the expected hatch day do you start getting ffs and individual deli cups and such? Should I start getting stuff together now for them?

and

B) I got an egyptian ooth from Massaman and it's turning colors! I don't know if I killed it or if this is normal.

I didn't get a before picture, (dumb, I know) but I have one from today. In case you're wondering I attached the ooth to the lid of a denture cup I stole from the hospital when Ryan had his surgery :lol: I figured it'd be helpful!

Here's 2 pics of the egyptian ooth.

(Off subject, yes Massaman I sent payment yesterday.)

So can you guys help me out here?

Thank you!

 

[massaman]

well think its normal for the egyptian ooth but just a word of caution for this ooth though when you got it on the lid of the container and got paper towel in the bottom of the container as I would just mist the sides of the container and the towel and not spray that ooth directly as it seems that moisture easily can effect this ooth and cause it to change colors somewhat as I had found out on several occasions and so just dont spray it direcetly or get it wet or damp!

 

[ZoeRipper]

well think its normal for the egyptian ooth but just a word of caution for this ooth though when you got it on the lid of the container and got paper towel in the bottom of the container as I would just mist the sides of the container and the towel and not spray that ooth directly as it seems that moisture easily can effect this ooth and cause it to change colors somewhat as I had found out on several occasions and so just dont spray it direcetly or get it wet or damp!

Hoshi- thank you so much.

 

[massaman]

well I would order the fruit flies once the nymphs start to hatch and get the cups as needed and get a few extra critter keepers on hand for if any do make it to sub adult or adult stages and your going to need 32 oz cups or maybe net cube cages for the nymphs and also you can buy fruit flies and then make your own cultures to keep them going for months so you have a endless supply of fruit flies and then go up in levels to pinhead crickets and crickets or meal or wax worms and can give you a easy recipe for fruit fly mediums that I use and works very well if needed!

 

[sbugir]

Always have food before the mantids

 

[ZoeRipper]

Always have food before the mantids

Yes, but how long before the mantids?

 

[Emile.Wilson]

depends when it was laid, make sure to get melangnoster because they will be too small for hydei

 

[ZoeRipper]

depends when it was laid, make sure to get melangnoster because they will be too small for hydei

Yeah, I figured as much. I'll probably call my friend's petshop tomorrow and ask them to order some fruit flies.

 

[Katnapper]

I mist ooths directly all of the time and have never had a problem. Just make sure your container has adequate ventilation. I'd suggest cutting a nice sized hole and hot gluing some mesh or sheer fabric (I use organza) over it.

 

[Rick]

It won't hurt an ooth to get it wet. They get wet in the wild however it isn't needed. Get your flies going now. ALways have food before the mantids arrive. I suggest making cultures as you go instead of ordering new ones. Very easy to do.

 

[massaman]

well the egyptians ooth I think get ruined by access moisture or water as I have found out they end up turning color or the top layer gets washed away!

 

[Rick]

well the egyptians ooth I think get ruined by access moisture or water as I have found out they end up turning color or the top layer gets washed away!

Well of course it would not be good to keep it soaked in water. We're talking about a mist of water that will dry soon.

 

[ZoeRipper]

Just so's you know guys, I do have ventilation holes in the denture cup, they're just not in focus in the pic.

But they're there! Promise!

 

[massaman]

worse comes to worse I can always send another ooth in case that one gets more damaged or becomes unhatchable!

 

[ZoeRipper]

I don't think that's going to happen.

I am indeed taking good care of it!

 

[Opivy]

I've been spraying my ooth directly. I imagine those things are pretty darn tough - water can't hurt.

can it?! oh noez

 

[ZoeRipper]

I've been spraying my ooth directly. I imagine those things are pretty darn tough - water can't hurt.can it?! oh noez

I have been too.

I haven't been like dunking it in water, like Massaman thinks.

I'm have to be kinda ******** "LOL I THINK THT IF I DUNK IT IN WATER THEN I WONT HAVE TO MIST IT AMIRITE?! LOLOLOL HERP DERP"

 

[Katnapper]

The only problem with spraying directly is if too little ventilation to let it adequately dry in a reasonable amount of time to prevent mold from growing on it. Mold can also grow on the inside of the cup/container surfaces if not enough ventilation. Make sure your holes are pretty many if you're going that route, but not so big to let ff's through. I tend to think just poking holes may not be enough ventilation... but that's just my opinion, not fact. I'm sure others can jump in and give you a "heads up" if they've had good success with just poking holes and not creating a larger hole covered with mesh or fabric.

 

[PhilinYuma]

I have been too.I haven't been like dunking it in water, like Massaman thinks.

I'm have to be kinda ******** "LOL I THINK THT IF I DUNK IT IN WATER THEN I WONT HAVE TO MIST IT AMIRITE?! LOLOLOL HERP DERP"

There is an EBay merchant who sells a lot of Chinese and European ooths to gardeners, and he recommends doing just that (soaking the ooths in water) once a week! All of which proves that it is pretty hard to destroy an ooth with moisture unless you sink it in a jug of water and just leave it there!

As a rule of thumb, if you follow whatever Katnapper (and some others, of course, but she is an excellent example) says, then you probably won't go wrong.