Dealing with a 4 season climate and trying to grow tort food outside year round is a challenge. I have found 3 food sources that supposedly can withstand our winter months. A banana palm ( musa basjoo), opuntia cactus (Cacanapa) and hibiscus ( Rose of Sharon). The Rose of Sharon already survived a winter but is a mid summer bloomer so still waiting on the flowers. Started the cactus and palm inside last fall and moved them permanently outside this spring. Cactus is not dying..but not growing so far...while the inside cactus continue to grow...albeit slowly. The banana palm is thriving and today I put my first leaf in the torts enclosure and the torts immediately started munching it. So while I wish the cactus would take off...and am waiting for the hibiscus to start blooming...at least the torts have a new addition to their diet.
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