Hibiscus flowers and dandelion greens

[amyrothmeyer]

I have seen people feed their tortoises hibiscus flowers and dandelion greens. My question is where are you getting them? Are you growing it yourself or is there a place I can buy them fresh, that is still safe and pesticide free? Also is hibiscus just a treat or is there nutritional value for them?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings. Many people "grow their own" hibiscus. You can easily pick up a plant or two from your local garden center BUT you want to be careful regarding any pesticide that might have been applied. Here in Maryland, dandelions are all over the place. Again, need to ensure one harvests pesticide free plants. I get dandelion greens in our International Market and use in our morning juice regime. I always save a few for our Sully.

I see that Home Depot has them here for about $30.00 for a pretty good size plant. Heres their description.

• Robust, compact, rounded, hardy plant for northern gardens with very refined, 3-lobed cut leaves, which produces impressive, large, 8 in. wide lavender flowers from summer to fall.

 

[Jabuticaba]

I have seen people feed their tortoises hibiscus flowers and dandelion greens. My question is where are you getting them? Are you growing it yourself or is there a place I can buy them fresh, that is still safe and pesticide free? Also is hibiscus just a treat or is there nutritional value for them?

Hi. Some people buy hibiscus and dandelion seeds online, so they can plant them in organic soil. There aren't many sources out there for organic things.

I get my greens from my backyard, walking trails, and the university campus where I work; pesticide free. I also save seeds for winter (dandelion, common mallow, plantains) and sprout my own alfalfa, chia, and clover.

Hibiscus is a great nutritional source for tortoises, but like all other foods, it shouldn't be the only thing they eat. The Rose of Sharon bush (link below) is a hardy, perennial type of hibiscus that you can plant outdoors, in zones 5-9; ie, it'll survive everywhere in the US and lower parts of Canada.

http://m.thetortoisetable.org.uk/m/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=237



May, Aussies, & THBs
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome I grow my own dandelions and when they are no longer available I am able to buy them from a polish produce store.
The hibiscus I grow my own.

 

[ascott]

Health food stores will generally offer an organic dandi, red and green leave lettuce, romaine and such....all organic is good, in my opinion Also, the hibiscus plant is a good plant...the leaves and the flowers....I can not imagine offering too much of hibiscus nor dandelions.....both pack great nutritional value.....

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I have about 15 Rose of Sharon (hardy Hibiscus) that I grow for the tortoises, and I roam my neighborhood collecting dandelions and grape leaves...

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

I grow my own hibiscus, and dandelion just grows on it's own. As long as you don't treat your yard, use also use other weeds like plantain and clover.

 

[Jabuticaba]

I have about 15 Rose of Sharon (hardy Hibiscus) that I grow for the tortoises, and I roam my neighborhood collecting dandelions and grape leaves...

I'm so jealous!


May, Aussies, & THBs
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[Nitabnita31]

What about dried hibiscus leaves like for tea making?

 

[Danielthereptilekeeper]

I find dandelions in our yard. We don’t treat ours with pesticides, so it is ok for them to eat. Just make sure to wash them.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

What about dried hibiscus leaves like for tea making?

I don't know what tortoises would eat dried leaves. Certainly not Redfoot. But a few Hibiscus plants can grow a near endless amount of fresh leaves and flowers if you live in the right place.

 

[Nitabnita31]

I don't know what tortoises would eat dried leaves. Certainly not Redfoot. But a few Hibiscus plants can grow a near endless amount of fresh leaves and flowers if you live in the right place.

I have hibiscus plants then I will grab the flowers and leaves from them.
Thank you

 

[jsheffield]

I use dried hibiscus flowers that I rehydrate for my redfoot Darwin ... he seems to enjoy them whenever I add them to his meals.

Jamie

 

[Nitabnita31]

Awesome. That is what I thought I would do. Soak them and then give them to my turtles.
Thank you

 

[Relic]

Have a yellow foot that loves hibiscus flowers, both Rose of Sharon perennial types and the larger tropical hibiscus flowers. Seems to prefer the yellow/orange color over the lavender color. Fairly indifferent to the leaves of either variety, and thinks I must be kidding when I offer dandelion leaves. Go figure...

 

[Nitabnita31]

Have a yellow foot that loves hibiscus flowers, both Rose of Sharon perennial types and the larger tropical hibiscus flowers. Seems to prefer the yellow/orange color over the lavender color. Fairly indifferent to the leaves of either variety, and thinks I must be kidding when I offer dandelion leaves. Go figure...

Haha yes mine are funny they don’t like chard of any kind.

 

[PA2019]

I use a dried mix of weeds/herbs that includes dried hibiscus flowers. Soak it overnight with Mazuri and over time your tortoise won’t even notice it. I also bought several hibiscus bushes at Lowe’s, replaced the soil, then waited 6 months before feeding flowers and leaves.