Is this native cactus good food for star?

[vg333]

I read in various forums that cactus is good for stars. I have a plant in my garden that looks like a cactus. I am not aware of the English name. I live in South India. Any feedback on the name of this cactus and/or if this can be given as food? Thank you in advance.

 

[Yvonne G]

That's aloe vera. They can eat it, however too much will cause diarrhea.

 

[vg333]

Thank you Yvonne

 

[Tom]

You want "spineless opuntia" cactus to feed them. There are many varieties.

 

[vg333]

Tom, I looked around but could not find Opuntia. Thanks for your response.

 

[Dan]

This is opuntia ficus indica. Most opuntia have paddle-shaped pads like this of different sizes and degrees of prickly spines or--even nastier--glochids, but generally speaking the fresh growth, fruit, and flowers are edible. I'd imagine that agriculturally or ornamentally, they've been planted in many warmer parts of the world, quite possibly even in India.

 

[vg333]

Dan, They are definitely in India and quite possibly,in my town as well. I need to look around. Thanks for your response.

 

[vg333]

In the process of trying to get some variety of diet, I saw these colorful flowers in my neighborhood. I do not know the English name. Does anyone know if the flowers/leaves of this plant can be given as food to the star? Thank you.

 

[Yvonne G]

That might be Penta. I wasn't able to find much about it on the 'net, but what I did find was in the edible landscape section.

 

[vg333]

Well, my search of google images does confirm that it is Penta. Thank you Yvonne. Can I give these to my stars?

 

[shanu303]

it is ironical that some opuntia species are native to india yet the nurseries don't keep them

 

[vg333]

I visited many nurseries in my areas. Some of the said that the stock arrives in June. Lets see