Reptile & Amphibian Forums

someone had instructions once on how to dry greens. i would like to try it so i can have more of a variety to offer my guys without the greens spoiling. also once they are dry how do you store them. thanks!
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

Hi!

I have used two methods.

First, for smaller amount: I just wash all greens, then I dry out the moisture on a hand paper or so. Then I pack them in a big envelope and keep it in a room tempered and well ventilaited place.

For bigger amount and for vegetables: Again, I wash them first. (vegetables should be sliced) And then I put them on a baking tray to an oven and I them fry up in a gentle warm. They dont take long, you will see when their sides starts to curl up.

I store them in envelopes or in a airproof glass jars.

this may be a silly question...but do you rehydrate the dried stuff before feeding or just feed as is?
also...forgive me again, but do greens lose nutritional value after being dried? thnx.

no i don't rehydrate them, i would use them as sprinkles on their regular greens. when food is cooked over a certain temperature, it loses nutrition but i don't remember that temp. does anyone know what temp i should dry them at in the oven to maintain nutrients?
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

I serve them without any moisture, or then whit some fresh greens.

They loose some nutritional value, when dried in high temps. I don't remember what temps I used last time I dried something, but I should say that over 50c it starts to loose vitamins and all.
ALSO, in a microwave they loose drastically their nutritional value.
I prefer to use envelope-system, but they should be placed very looselly so they doesn't become mouldy.