Are these Hibiscus leaves safe for my 1 year old Hermann?

[AudraL]

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello and welcome!

Hibiscus leaves are a great food source! I’d store brought mind, they may have potentially used fertiliser/ been around pesticides, to tackle this, it’s suggested to wash the roots, plant in your own safe soil, then wait a minimum of 3 months, feed only the new growth

Don’t suppose you’d mind adding a photo of your tortoise and set up? It’s really nice to see with new members

 

[Tom]

View attachment 378896

We need to know where the plant came from and how long you've had it. Freshly purchased decorative plants from a store are grown with toxic systemic pesticides in the soil. The poison is taken up into the plants tissues and repels insects from damaging the plants.

If that is a mature hibiscus plant that has been in the ground for a year or more, then those leaves and flowers will make great tortoise food.

 

[AudraL]

We need to know where the plant came from and how long you've had it. Freshly purchased decorative plants from a store are grown with toxic systemic pesticides in the soil. The poison is taken up into the plants tissues and repels insects from damaging the plants.

If that is a mature hibiscus plant that has been in the ground for a year or more, then those leaves and flowers will make great tortoise food.

I've had it in a pot on my balcony for three years, so that's great! I was told the flowers were safe after two years but I didn't realize the leaves were something I could give him as well. Happy to add some new to his diet -thanks!

 

[AudraL]

Hello and welcome!

Hibiscus leaves are a great food source! I’d store brought mind, they may have potentially used fertiliser/ been around pesticides, to tackle this, it’s suggested to wash the roots, plant in your own safe soil, then wait a minimum of 3 months, feed only the new growth

Don’t suppose you’d mind adding a photo of your tortoise and set up? It’s really nice to see with new members

 

[AudraL]

I tried to include a cute short video of him eating out mazuri pellets out of my hand but it wouldn't upload...