From one tortoise owner to another..

LonesomeGeorge · 18-05-2014, 11:57 AM

Those of you that have very 'planted up' outdoor enclosures, do you find that if you put a whole dandelion plant in for example they just carry on eating it in one go, or they leave it as a hide? I'm thinking about planting dandelion, sow thistle etc. into Flo's outdoor enclosure but am questioning whether she would just carry on eating it all?

Thanks,

Andy Robertson · 18-05-2014, 05:17 PM

They will eat everything, but I wouldn't bother planting dandelions as they can only be fed in moderation, plus they are everywhere if you do need any!!
If you find any Plantain, plant this, but again nothing that is planted lasts for long. I pull out the ones that have been eaten down and replace with the ones I have found when I go out on a weed hunt.

Andy

Catwoman63 · 18-05-2014, 07:48 PM

My horsfields scoff their plants down to the roots

x

Wanda · 18-05-2014, 08:35 PM

My horsfields decimate anything planted too. But I have found a way to thwart them! I have used a wire plant box container upside down over pansies or other plants and they can only reach the very outside parts leaving the roots intact. I call it their salad bar!

Merlin M · 18-05-2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanda

My horsfields decimate anything planted too. But I have found a way to thwart them! I have used a wire plant box container upside down over pansies or other plants and they can only reach the very outside parts leaving the roots intact. I call it their salad bar!

This sounds very clever!
Can you share a pic to show exactly how you do it?

Wanda · 18-05-2014, 09:08 PM

Sure, it is too dark now but I will take one tomorrow.

Merlin M · 18-05-2014, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wanda

Sure, it is too dark now but I will take one tomorrow.

Awesome, I know how hard it can be to keep a Horsfield out of where it wants to be, particularly if it involves food!

Wanda · 18-05-2014, 10:47 PM

Well, I have pansies planted that have lasted a month and a half .... A record!

pagan queen · 18-05-2014, 10:58 PM

I think it was Alan who uses an upturned hanging basket in the same way.

burnt toast · 18-05-2014, 11:00 PM

One of my enclosures has been flooding which seems finally to be sorted out but its barren so yesterday I thought I would risk planting a lot of plants ive been growing innplants for it.. they lasted about half an hour! I covered a couple of things with plastic cloches pinned down with tent pegs only to find the cloches caved in and crumpled where theyd tried to get to the plants underneath! Think im going to have to seal parts off and give them time to establish bit by bit!

18-05-2014, 11:57 AM	#1
LonesomeGeorge Member Hatched Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Reading area Posts: 252	From one tortoise owner to another.. Those of you that have very 'planted up' outdoor enclosures, do you find that if you put a whole dandelion plant in for example they just carry on eating it in one go, or they leave it as a hide? I'm thinking about planting dandelion, sow thistle etc. into Flo's outdoor enclosure but am questioning whether she would just carry on eating it all? Thanks, __________________ Owner to Florence, my beautiful testudo Horsfieldii, one absolutely mental Golden Retriever and a rather independent cat.

18-05-2014, 07:48 PM	#3
Catwoman63 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 6,739	My horsfields scoff their plants down to the roots x __________________ BEV XXX 0.3.0 - T Horsfieldii (Xena, Zelda & Lilly) 2.2.0 - TG Terrestris (Zeus, Astreus / Zagreus & Alexia) 1.2.0 - Zebra Finches (Gunner / Bonnie & May) 0.1.0 - SBT (Hazel) 1.0.0 - FBD (Ted)

18-05-2014, 10:58 PM	#9
pagan queen Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Kent Posts: 6,073	I think it was Alan who uses an upturned hanging basket in the same way. __________________ 1.0.1 TG Ibera 1.0.0 Chinese Frise dog 0.1.0 African Grey Parrot 0.1.0 Hahns Macaw 0.1.0 Pearly Conure 0.2.0 Guinea Pigs 0.2.0 Chickens 1.0.0 Bearded Dragon 7.4.0 Budgies 1.1.0 Cockatiels 1.3 Kids 1 Husband

18-05-2014, 05:17 PM	#2
Andy Robertson Member Hatched Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Aberdeen Posts: 339	They will eat everything, but I wouldn't bother planting dandelions as they can only be fed in moderation, plus they are everywhere if you do need any!! If you find any Plantain, plant this, but again nothing that is planted lasts for long. I pull out the ones that have been eaten down and replace with the ones I have found when I go out on a weed hunt. Andy

18-05-2014, 08:35 PM	#4
Wanda Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 449	My horsfields decimate anything planted too. But I have found a way to thwart them! I have used a wire plant box container upside down over pansies or other plants and they can only reach the very outside parts leaving the roots intact. I call it their salad bar!

18-05-2014, 09:08 PM	#6
Wanda Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 449	Sure, it is too dark now but I will take one tomorrow.

18-05-2014, 10:47 PM	#8
Wanda Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 449	Well, I have pansies planted that have lasted a month and a half .... A record!

18-05-2014, 11:00 PM	#10
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,246	One of my enclosures has been flooding which seems finally to be sorted out but its barren so yesterday I thought I would risk planting a lot of plants ive been growing innplants for it.. they lasted about half an hour! I covered a couple of things with plastic cloches pinned down with tent pegs only to find the cloches caved in and crumpled where theyd tried to get to the plants underneath! Think im going to have to seal parts off and give them time to establish bit by bit!

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