Grass in an enclosure

[mlummus]

I'm looking at either planting grass seed or getting sod to put in my torts enclosure but I can't find anything on the correct type of grass to use and what not to use. Does any one know or have suggestions?

 

[Levi the Leopard]

I'd prefer to grow my own from seed. Sod has netting that can entangle a digging tort and is possibly sprayed with lots of chemicals.

You can use fescue grass seeds, bermuda, st. Augustine....the list goes on..horse pasture grazing mixes or better yet you could buy the broadleaf weed seed mix that was put together with the testudo species in mind. Tortoise supply sells it and your Russian will love that mix!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

What kind of tortoise and where are you?
I use Bermuda here inside my pens because it's easy to grow and looks neat.
My Redfoot don't eat it too much. I keep it trimmed like a golf course.
The yard is St. Augustine. They eat it every chance they get.

 

[Yvonne G]

Bear in mind that Russian tortoises prefer broad leaf plants and weeds. They will eat a bit of grass, but not enough to keep you from having to mow it. If you plant grass you're going to be in there with the scissors or whatever method works for you, keeping the grass down. Think more along the lines of dichondra, clover, and broad-leaf weeds like dandelion, plantain and plants like hosta, rose of sharon, etc.

 

[mlummus]

Okay I have seen the seed mix on tortoise supply but the shipping for it is outrageous! But it does seem like that would be the best thing to use. I'm doing half of the enclosure with what I call a "jungle" so it'll be grassy and with plants and stuff. Would it be fine to plant that seed mix straight into coco coir or is there a better way to do it?

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Tyler just announced a new shipping option on his website. Seeds should no longer have high shipping.

 

[mlummus]

Oh my gosh I'm headed there now!!' Thank you!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

That seed mix is some great stuff!

 

[mlummus]

So would it be better to grow it in a pot in his enclosure or straight into the substrate?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I doubt that any plants would reach a very large size in an enclosure.
How about some in the enclosure and some grown in a window pot, too.

 

[mlummus]

Okay gotcha. Will try that! Thank you!

 

[CanadianTestudo]

wish they would ship that to Canada

 

[ZEROPILOT]

As you may or may not have already read....The plants that you grow in the seed mix can last a VERY long time.
If you let your tortoise eat the green tops and let the plants recover, they will grow again and again.

 

[mlummus]

Do tortoises normally eat the sprouts of the weeds or do they wait until they're fairly grown?

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Do tortoises normally eat the sprouts of the weeds or do they wait until they're fairly grown?

I've noticed mine seemed to prefer the new sprouts

 

[mlummus]

What would be a good shade plant?