What is edible ... And growing stuff

[ditzyangeluk]

I have an extensive list of plants, vegetables and n0-nos for feeding. However, can I ask regarding said veg, flowers, weeds, plants a Hermann CAN eat ..

(1) Is it the flowering/flowers bits as well as the leaves?
(2) For growing some of my own, what do I plant them in (dirt/soil/whatever)

Thank you

 

[Yvonne G]

Almost everything you can grow is edible except the leaves from plants in the Solanaceae family. Here's an example:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=62

Most other veggies you plant can be eaten leaves and all, in fact, the tortoises love squash blossoms and leaves.

For a garden in the house, plant in kitty litter pans - more than one - then rotate the pans through the habitat, replacing as they're eaten. You won't have good luck planting a garden indoors, so the kitty litter pans will have to be outside in real sunshine until you bring them in to the habitat.

 

[ditzyangeluk]

Thanks but what do I plant them in .. soil-wise I mean

 

[lismar79]

I use organic topsoil I buy from lowes. Works well and has no chemicals.

 

[Tom]

Make sure your soil has no perlite or other additives if your tortoise will have access to it.

 

[ditzyangeluk]

Many thanx

 

[Aunt Caffy]

Sounds like I'll be buying some kitty litter pans.

 

[Blakem]

Hello


Here's some great plant identification websites I use.

http://www.tlady.clara.net/TortGuide/diet.htm#plantlist

http://africantortoise.com/edible_landscaping.htm

http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp

 

[Aunt Caffy]

Sounds like I'll be buying some kitty litter pans.

I ended up ordering three Tidy Cat Breeze litter boxes because they have drainage slots and pull out trays that will work well for when you water the plants. The drainage will help prevent root rot, and the pull out tray means you can dump out water when you water them inside but will also help to prevent your tort's enclosure from getting sopping wet from watering the plants. Our cat has one of these, so that's how I know.