Cactus question

[85hardy]

Can tortoises have any kind of cactus or just certain kinds?

I was curious about Christmas cactus i could get it but wasn't sure about it. The plant place i go to is getting some other kinds in and i wanted to know the best ones to get and if i can get whatever they have for my babies.

 

[Tom]

I have fed several varieties of opuntia with no problems. I also feed organ pipe cactus with the spines cut off. I don't know about the rest.

A lot of succulents can be fed too. Ice plant, elephant bush, red apple, aloe, some types of sedum, etc...

I don't know about Christmas cactus. Sorry.

 

[ChiKat]

Christmas cactus is listed under "Non-Poisonous Plants" in this thread:
http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Foo...orts-DT-Marginated-Greeks-Russians-Sullys-etc

 

[DeanS]

I have fed several varieties of opuntia with no problems. I also feed organ pipe cactus with the spines cut off. I don't know about the rest.

A lot of succulents can be fed too. Ice plant, elephant bush, red apple, aloe, some types of sedum, etc...

I don't know about Christmas cactus. Sorry.

Speaking of 'other' succulents...AGAVE is an excellent choice, as well!

 

[moswen]

I've read on this forum a few ppl feed their torts christmas cactus.

 

[85hardy]

Thanks everyone. If anyone can think of any others i can add to my list that would be great.

Deans what kind of AGAVE? there is over 100 species.



Also these are for my Russians, Red Foots, and Greeks if that matters on any of these plants.

 

[DeanS]

All agave is edible...I have never heard anything to the contrary! I do know that some nectars are caustic, but I do not know to what degree. Agave americana is the most popular...and since it's very easy to come by, why worry about any other species...I'm trying to propogate it myself right now, so we'll see. Funny story...The Post Office here in Lancaster has more than 20 large agave (americana) planted throughout the parking lot, along the perimeter and surrounding the drive thru drop area...I can't tell you how many leaves are cut off each plant...either there are a lot of tort owners up here, or more and more people are thinking drought tolerant landscaping! And "NO!" I didn't heist any from there...I have to know what pesticides and soil, etc my plants have before I plant them.

And, from my understanding, there are over 200 species...including Agave tequilana (which my father-in-law recently planted, hoping to make his own tequila...GOOD LUCK!)

 

[85hardy]

Thanks. Added to my list too.

 

[Az tortoise compound]

I feed our sulcatas and leopards Christmas cactus here in AZ. I have never really studied up on it though. They seem like they have been enjoying it for the last two years. I grabbed a cutting from a neighbor and rooted it. It took a while to start growing but now it can't be killed. it is a little tricky as it needs some humidity but not much direct watering.

Also, it's not really a cactus.

 

[Shelli]

Say you go to your plant to feed some Agave, you cut off the first few inches from the tip, does it look stubby and ugly forever or does it grow back to a point?

 

[DeanS]

Haven't gotten that far yet...my previous go at it was a plant I picked up at Lowe's...I planted it and let it 'work off' the pesticides and fertilizers, etc for about 3 months...By then I had acquired Diesel...he found his way out the gate (we were having a yard sale and my wife left the second side gate open) and gulped down most of the plant, leaving only a stump...had I not heard him, he probably would have uprooted the whole thing!

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

All agave is edible...I have never heard anything to the contrary! I do know that some nectars are caustic, but I do not know to what degree. Agave americana is the most popular...and since it's very easy to come by, why worry about any other species...I'm trying to propogate it myself right now, so we'll see. Funny story...The Post Office here in Lancaster has more than 20 large agave (americana) planted throughout the parking lot, along the perimeter and surrounding the drive thru drop area...I can't tell you how many leaves are cut off each plant...either there are a lot of tort owners up here, or more and more people are thinking drought tolerant landscaping! And "NO!" I didn't heist any from there...I have to know what pesticides and soil, etc my plants have before I plant them.

And, from my understanding, there are over 200 species...including Agave tequilana (which my father-in-law recently planted, hoping to make his own tequila...GOOD LUCK!)

Agave tequilana is what makes mescal entertaining...