Plants in my tortoises enclosures

Thomasstortoise

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Hi i had a question on safe plants in my tortoises enclosure,
i want to get a real spider plant in my torts enclosure and also a Boston Fern, but i am concerned as they have been fertilized can i still put it in my torts enclosure or not?
 

Lyn W

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The advice is that if plants are shop bought, wash leaves and roots and repot in chemical free soil then leave for at least a year for any pesticides or fertilisers used to grow out.
If you can get cuttings or safe plants from family/friends that would be quicker.
 

Thomasstortoise

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The advice is that if plants are shop bought, wash leaves and roots and repot in chemical free soil then leave for at least a year for any pesticides or fertilisers used to grow out.
If you can get cuttings or safe plants from family/friends that would be quicker.
oh ok, i am really impatient but thanks, is 6 months good, oh and also i get my plants from garden stores do i still have to transplant them and wait 6- 12 months
 

nootnootbu

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Is it possible to grow these plants from seeds maybe?
 

Lyn W

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oh ok, i am really impatient but thanks, is 6 months good, oh and also i get my plants from garden stores do i still have to transplant them and wait 6- 12 months
Yes I would think so .
I think that all sellers of plants use pesticides and fertilisers etc so that their plants look good enough to buy.
I don't know if 6 months would be long enough - at least a year is the recommendation. Any less may be Ok but could be a risk.
You may be able to grow from seeds but that would take even longer than cuttings.
 

nootnootbu

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I think organic food plants you purchase from the grocery store could be great options as some of them come with the ability to root. For example, I've successfully rooted organic bok choy, carrots, and romaine. It's pretty easy to just wash them and stick them in dirt, then, provided adequate water, they will usually root, and will also be 100% safe for the tort to eat.

There are also garden seeds that come as a seed, free of pesticides and fertilizers that you could plant and sprout. Some varieties of greens grow very quickly.
 

Thomasstortoise

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I think organic food plants you purchase from the grocery store could be great options as some of them come with the ability to root. For example, I've successfully rooted organic bok choy, carrots, and romaine. It's pretty easy to just wash them and stick them in dirt, then, provided adequate water, they will usually root, and will also be 100% safe for the tort to eat.

There are also garden seeds that come as a seed, free of pesticides and fertilizers that you could plant and sprout. Some varieties of greens grow very quickly.
I can try that i just want something my tort could hide under rather than eat but either way whatever you do your tort will also nibble on it
 
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Bioactive Herps is an amazing website for reptile friendly plants - they even have sections for edible plants incase your tort has a habit of eating whatever is in his path.

I’m not sure how far they ship - but definitely worth looking into when you have the chance!
 

Lyn W

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Bioactive Herps is an amazing website for reptile friendly plants - they even have sections for edible plants incase your tort has a habit of eating whatever is in his path.

I’m not sure how far they ship - but definitely worth looking into when you have the chance!
That's a good website I've not seen before.
I like that they colour code safe to feed and not feed plants too.
Good to have another website to use with the Tortoise Table.
They are just down the road from my nephew in Lincs too.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 26, 2021
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Location (City and/or State)
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That's a good website I've not seen before.
I like that they colour code safe to feed and not feed plants too.
Good to have another website to use with the Tortoise Table.
They are just down the road from my nephew in Lincs too.
The quality and speed of delivery is great too! Highly recommend.
 

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