Hi.
I have read through so many lists of what is edible for my little horsefield tort in his ourdoor enclosure and I am so confused
Some lists have fancy names and I really need a list that has "normal" names that I can find in the garden centres...sorry I am a bit simples.
I am growing grass mix and wild flower mix I bought off a tortoise website shop (dunno if I am allowed to name names) so I know these should be good for him but its really the bedding plants kind of flowers I am after. I found pansys so have bought a tray of them which are being weathered outside just now before they get planted in his enclosure.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Emma.xx
I forgot to add I bought a rose bush, hebe and a few heathers for his enclosure too. I know that they eat the rose petals as he used to head for the roses and munch the ones that had fallen. But I read about the hebe being good for shade and a possible nibble and have found nothins about heathers....which I dont know if that means good or bad.
Emma.xx
hibiscus and lavatera are a "must have" on my list
you could also try petunia, forget me not, calendula, campanula, hollyhock, snap dragon, nasturtium
don't forget to "weather" the plants if your buying from garden centres/nurseries as pesticides and such are often used
Or grow then from seed - its really not hard, honestly! Find a tray, find a reasonably sunny spot to put it in, sow the seeds in a little shop bought compost, water weekly ish at the moment and a twice weekly when the sun is really out. This way you can be sure there is no pesticide on the plants and dont forget that some plants such as nasturtium act as a natural pesticide for the others - green and black fly adore it to the point of ignoring any other plant in the area if they can find some nasturtium! If you want to feed your nasturtium to the torts without flys then wash the plant in a mix of washing up liquid and water, much more water than fairy then rinse it very well, can use a watering spray bottle to do this - should get most of them off for you, certainly will clear the plant in a couple of days of spraying them.
Thing s like hollyhock, snapdragon, forget me not and calendula will reseed themselves in the garden for next yr and the yr after etc etc. Campanula is very hardy and will grow on for yrs and yrs without any assistance from you.
I would not plant hollyhocks or snapdragons near to torts. They have toxic properties if eaten
hollyhock and snap dragon are fine
where did you hear they are toxic?
(03-28-2010 09:47 PM)wilsonathome Wrote: [ -> ]hollyhock and snap dragon are fine
where did you hear they are toxic?
I think it was Martin on Tortoise Nutrition - I will check with him to make sure. I could have my hollyhocks mixed up with delphiniums, I usually do and keep both fenced just in case - will check with Martin.
will be interesting to hear his reply as they really are safe to feed
Found this on antirrhinum
http://www.plantcare.com/encyclopedia/an...k-123.aspx
Hollyhocks have poisonous roots apparently and the berries that follow the flowers are listed as toxic to dogs but I've not had anything back from Martin yet - will pass it on when I do
