How often do you feed flowers?

[hoopytortoise]

I read that impatiens flowers are safe. I happen to grow those around my house every year. I also have squash flowers from my garden.

And curious if honeysuckle flowers are safe or not.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Flowers are great every day as part of a mixed diet.
Try http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/tortoise_home_1.asp
for a good guide to what's safe, what isn't and how much.

 

[wellington]

I second the post from Tidgy's Dad.

 

[Prairie Mom]

Yes, my tortoise likes impatiens.Squash and honeysuckle flowers are just fine. Honeysuckle do have a pretty high sugar content, so I wouldn't overdo them Squash leaves and stems are great tortoise food too.

If you're interested in flowering plants, here's a few more ideas... http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...pics-of-annuals-cold-hardy-perennials.110773/

 

[hoopytortoise]

Fantastic. Thank you everyone!

 

[Pearly]

I read that impatiens flowers are safe. I happen to grow those around my house every year. I also have squash flowers from my garden.

And curious if honeysuckle flowers are safe or not.

I wouldn't feed anything thatcame from garden centers, too many chemicals used to keep their plants pretty and bug/disease free. Squash flowers are awesome for torts

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I use established hibiscus flowers and leaves as part of my Redfoot diet almost every day.

 

[TammyJ]

I wouldn't feed anything thatcame from garden centers, too many chemicals used to keep their plants pretty and bug/disease free. Squash flowers are awesome for torts

When you say squash flowers, can that be pumpkin flowers? My torts love the pumpkin and the leaves too.
Also, in the "wild" I am sure they may come across some toxic plants? If so will they eat them, not knowing?

 

[Speedy-1]

They are a treat for Speedy , simply because I don't have them available on a regular basis .

 

[dmmj]

When you say squash flowers, can that be pumpkin flowers? My torts love the pumpkin and the leaves too.
Also, in the "wild" I am sure they may come across some toxic plants? If so will they eat them, not knowing?

there's a bit of a debate about thiis. In the wild where your tortoise has had thousands and thousands of generations of living there I have no doubt they know which plants are toxic and which are not, in your backyard I do not think the same applies.

 

[dmmj]

I have about a dozen or so hibiscus plants I've lost one or two over the past two years they get flowers every day when in bloom none on days when they're not but they have a large variety of other leaves as well.

 

[TammyJ]

there's a bit of a debate about thiis. In the wild where your tortoise has had thousands and thousands of generations of living there I have no doubt they know which plants are toxic and which are not, in your backyard I do not think the same applies.

Right. Got it!

 

[TammyJ]

I have about a dozen or so hibiscus plants I've lost one or two over the past two years they get flowers every day when in bloom none on days when they're not but they have a large variety of other leaves as well.

I've got a few hibiscus plants in my yard too, and I also have pumpkin, okra, chocho, pawpaw (papaya?) and lots of different grasses and weeds - clover in abundance, which they love, and a lot of something we call Spanish Needle which I am not sure about yet, but I know rabbits and guinea pigs do love it.

 

[Prairie Mom]

When you say squash flowers, can that be pumpkin flowers? My torts love the pumpkin and the leaves too.
Also, in the "wild" I am sure they may come across some toxic plants? If so will they eat them, not knowing?

Yes, they can eat pumpkin flowers too. I agree with DMMJ's post about toxic plants. Mine HAS eaten toxic plants before. I made a thread about it: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/we-had-a-case-of-tulip-poisoning.116334/

 

[TammyJ]

Yes, they can eat pumpkin flowers too. I agree with DMMJ's post about toxic plants. Mine HAS eaten toxic plants before. I made a thread about it: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/we-had-a-case-of-tulip-poisoning.116334/

All right then! Great post about poor Mavis. Good to know they will chow down on poison given the chance!

 

[Prairie Mom]

All right then! Great post about poor Mavis. Good to know they will chow down on poison given the chance!

Thanks Happy feeding!