Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone ever grow this flowering edible plant for beardies?

I live in FL... Im going to buy some seeds/soil and try them. I have read that they flower up and grow quickly.

Beardies love them I have read also. I will chop them up and mix with my other greens.

Red flowering edible plants:

Beardies can eat the whole plant leaves, flowers etc.

I've eaten it in salads myself...I have given my beardies impatiens { I grow tons in the summer } also,dandelion leaves and flowers,forsythia blossoms,hibiscus blossoms,mulberry leaves { VERY high in nutrients,it's what silk worms live on }If any of these plants are store bought,rinse well before feeding.

Im going to get a bunch of these flowering type plants and get them going on my property.

thanks Angie for the other ones you listed

I have fed some flowers to my dragons over the years, but never in a huge quantity. Edible flowers should be used sparingly, just a small addition to salads.

Other than that, definitely a good idea to grow your own as most store bought plants are full of chemicals, from fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides and soil 'fillers' (the fillers are not so much a concern when just offering the flower but more if the plants are placed in cages in pots. The little white soil fillers can be accidentally ingested and cause problems.)

Growing flowers from seeds is you safest bet. You will know what goes into and onto the plant as it grows. Of course avoid using insecticides and use only organic fertilizers that are non toxic. Store bought flowers/plants should be repotted and gently washed then allowed about a week to ensure any chemicals in the plant (from insecticides etc) work out of the plant.
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PHLdyPayne

I get Nasturtiums and Pansies from the kitchen at work(edible for humans) they are all safe for my Tortoise, and my dragon LOVES the yellow flowers, but I am cautious not to get the dragon addicted to them.
Just planted a window ledge garden for fresh plants through the summer.
Good luck

I am going to attempt growing some of my own greens but its not easy for me. I live in an apartment and it faces mostly northwest..so doesn't get a whole lot of sun, maybe a couple hours during the afternoon. It seems Collards and Mustard Greens don't like it too warm...so hoping that also means they don't mind low exposure to sunlight. I can keep them cool easily enough. OR at least not above 75F.
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PHLdyPayne

PH,do you have mulberry trees in your area? My dragons love the leaves and my tree supplies leaves all summer.

No, I don't have any mulberry trees near me...Mostly have maple, birch, poplar and various pines. Not even sure mulberry trees can take the winters up here.

About the closest thing we have to mulberry tries would be the silkworm chow.
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PHLdyPayne

http://www.willisorchards.com/product/Black Beauty Mulberry Tree?category=250

Im going to see about buying a mulberry tree.

thanks