Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am trying to plant several plants in the backyard that will come back every year. Are all Hibiscus plants edible? I went to Turtlecafe and asked and they just refer me back to the website. It never tells for sure. I don't want to spend the money and really don't want to harm my animals if they are not all edible. Any help appreciated.

Here are some links that I really like and posted earlier.
Plant links

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/

http://www.tlady.clara.net/TortGuide/Diet.htm#plantlist

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/resources/weeds.htm

http://www.ads.uga.edu/annrpt/1997/97_015.htm

http://www.oxbowhay.com/art_nutrient_analysis.htm

http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/index.html

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I knew I could count on you Ed. I have been reading this forum for a very long time and you really seem to know your stuff. Thanks

Not only are the flowers edible, the leaves and stems are relished too.
AND, you can eat the flowers too! I know of folks who put hibicus flowers and pansies (also loved by tortoises) in their salads.

in some part of the world: people SUCKsthem for their sugar contents.
in Cairo, people drinks them "fruit punch" made of RED hibiscus...
BUT:...ironically; the Egyptian tortoise prefers the BLUE hibiscus above the rest...

Are all species of hibiscus edible? I am in Indiana and want to plant the hardy variety so that they will grow back every year

I've been feeding my Greek's Hibiscus flowers, leaves, and stems for over 24 years without a problem. Only the most finicky tort won't eat the flowers.

You are correct, Ed does know his stuff. You'll find old timers like Ed, Dr. Bill Z, Darrell Senneke, Richard Paul, and myself have been keeping torts for so long we have have seen almost everything, particularly what does and doesn't work from a food standpoint.

Good luck!

Ernie

Where do I get these plants from?

I just bought 3 large hybiscus plants at k-mart for 10.99 each. They were in 10in pots and the price couldnt be beat, especially because I looked at them at a nursery last week for 39.99 each (the same size plant too!) my 5 sulcatas seem to love these type of plants so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get a few more. just my two cents worth

Rick

I always like to grow plants for a good long while before feeding any part of the plant to try to get as many of the pesticides and toxins out of the plant as possible. Any plant that is sold at wal-mart or a place like that will be riddled with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are not very good for the animals (or for us!). I have never found hibiscus that have been grown organically, but the ones I have bought at wal-mart and then grown without chemicals at my home have done very well. After about a year I am usual comfortable that the chemical levels will be ok for my pets and myself.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

Elizabeth
-----
1.0 Uro Archimedes
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin