Hi Everyone

Hope in your area it is not raining and miserable like it is here...
I was thinking of introducing a few new editions to Keya's diet which I have read are OK to give torts, but  I wanted to check that they are Ok for hatchlings. I am a terrible coward when it comes to giving her something new, I checked double check and check again (no hope)
They are:-

Rose petals- from Red rambler
Lavateria
Calendula
What I wanted to ask was, can I give her flowers and/or leaves and the calorific/protein value, as most of you will know by now,  I am trying to keep a strict control on Keya's growth and was so grateful for previous advice I was given on the site about the high protein content in clover, especially for hatchlings.

Jane

Hi Jane,

Rose petals, lavatera, and calendula are all fine (leaves and flowers are OK -- although they might not eat rose leaves or calendula leaves -- you'll have to see). Other flowers (and leaves) you can give that are common in the garden are campanula, dandelion, abutilon hibiscus, pansies, and hardy geraniums.

Nina

Hi Nina

Thanks- my main concerns are, are they high in protein at all for a hatchling? because I am trying to keep plant protein down to a min.

Thanks
Jane

Hi Jane,

As far as I know (which isn't very far ), they aren't high in protein. It is possible that if the flower was connected to a seed pod that had developed somewhat, that there could be more protein in it, but that is just a guess on my part, and I'm sure if this is wrong then someone with more knowledge will come in and correct me. I don't think, though, that these will be bad for your hatchlings.

Nina

Thanks Nina you have been a great reassurance and help. I can put them down in my little book now.

Have a good week-end

Jane

Hi Jane, I can only add that my babies have been fed on the above and are perfectly smooth. I think what often happens is that the balance of exercise isn't level with what we place in front of them to eat. Nastursiums (sorry about the spelling) are an excellent plant to grow, easy with loads of flowers and leaves to eat, another for your tort garden.

TC

Elaien 

Hi Elaine

Yep, I am doing well today, I have all those in the garden

Thanks
Jane

Nasturtiums are a good tort food however they should be fed fairly sparingly as they are high in oxalic acid (source - Tortoise Nutrition). 

One I like to grow in shady corners is Bugle.  Apart from some Hostas I don't know that many tort food plants that do well in the shade.

Jonathan

Some hardy geraniums will grow well in the shade, as will some of the campanulas, as long as they get a bit of sunlight.

Nina

Hi Guys

Should sedum be given sparingly or is it Ok for Keya to have in her diet every day with the dandelions, plantain, nettle & laviteria mix
Thanks

Jane

Hi Jane,

All sedum is fine (except sedum acre, which is slightly toxic), and you should be fine, but maybe only a couple of times a week, as too much of the succulent plants (like sedum spectabile, which is a favourite) can cause runny poos.

Nina

Thanks Nina

Will look up sedum acre so I know what it looks like

Jane