Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two Russians that I adopted about a month ago. They were not kept in the best of condition (I adopted them from a very short-term job I had at a pet store--no UV light of any kind, pelletted diet, bad substrate) but now they're with me and seem very contented.

My question is about plants that I can put in their cage. I've seen the list at russiantortoise.org, but I was wondering if I bought plants from a nursery or garden center if they would be okay-- or are fertilizers a problem? I'm worried about planting in their setup from seeds because I think they'll eat anything as soon as it starts to sprout. Also, I'm the worst gardener ever so I don't know if I COULD grow anything from seeds.

Any suggestions on where you guys might get your plants from would be appreciated by me and the 'boys'-- I know when I take them outside they really like to laze in the grass and I was hoping to make them more comfortable in their tank.

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My "Menagerie":
1.0 Red Eared Slider
2.0 Russian Tortoises (?males)
2.0 Society Finches
5.0 Hermit Crabs (?males)
2.0 Dumbo Rats
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1 Pac Man Frog
2.0 Firebellied Toads
2.1 Cats

Growing plant IN the enclosure is difficult, if they are desireable they will be eaten, dug up, trampled, pooped upon etc. I would grow a bunch of container plants and you can rotate in the plant filled container on a frquent basis. I would grow in well drained trays Clovers,(it grow thicker with grazing, makes a nice "carpet" of leafs.), turnip greens, Sedums, pansies, aloes, etc. Tortoise like variety, and this will give them something to hope for. Don't let the overgraze, but do let them "prune" it for you, then rotate in another etc. etc. Be wary of nursery stock, as it may have been exposed to pesticides , unknown to your retailer, Also beware of white perlite in the soil mix, the tortoise may ingest it. Tortoises may be the motivation to make you a better gardner! You might grow a few Opuntia cactus in pots, providing the fresh leaves each Spring and cactus fruit in the Fall.

Thats why I was worried about nursery-grown plants. Ah, nothing can ever be easy, huh?

I guess I will be investing in some containers and some seeds then! Should I grow the plants in just plain top soil? To be sure there is no perlite or anything of the sort in it? Will a terrible gardener like me be ABLE to grow plants in soil with no fertilizer? XD

Thanks again for your help
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My "Menagerie":
1.0 Red Eared Slider
1.1 Russian Tortoises (?sex)
2.0 Society Finches
0.0.5 Hermit Crabs
2.0 Dumbo Rats
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1 Pac Man Frog
2.0 Firebellied Toads
2.1 Cats
1.0 Boyfriend

IF you have rich top soil, fine. If not, buy some good quality potting soil, and try to find some without a lot of perlite. Hopefully, you will grow the plants thick enough that the tortoises won't be digging around. You can do it, plants have some basic needs and you provide them or you don't... The plants I listed are quite hardy. And you should consider "weeds" that grow wild in your area. Dandelions are probably the single healthiest thing I can think of for tortoises. Chicory is another easy to grow plant.