Dahlia

[Jessie]

When at the store I picked up some seeds and decided hey why not some dahlias? Well now I thought about it and can't find anywhere where it says to or to not feed a RT dahlia. Is it safe to feed him? Any answers will be greatly appreciated.
Also on the package of seeds it says "dahlia" in bold and "dalia tall cactus flowered double mix" under it.

 

[Tom]

Wikipedia says that natives (people) use it as a food sources. I can't find it on any of my toxic plant lists either. I don't know of anyone ever feeding this to tortoises though...

 

[Jessie]

Ok I won't risk it then. Thank you.

 

[JoesMum]

Please do risk it!

The Tortoise Table Plant Database - Dahlia it is a good food source

The Tortoise Table's plant database is brilliant for this sort of look up.

My only caution would be to be sure that any plants you feed are not loaded with chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

 

[Jessie]

I not only use organic soil for substrate but organic soil for plants as well.
And thank you.

 

[Pokeymeg]

I don't think it is on the tortoise table, but pretty much anything that is a BULB on the TT is considered VERY TOXIC (hyacinth, tulips, etc)! I would be very cautious.

 

[Jessie]

Ah wait what do I do?

 

[JoesMum]

I don't think it is on the tortoise table, but pretty much anything that is a BULB on the TT is considered VERY TOXIC (hyacinth, tulips, etc)! I would be very cautious.

1. Dahlias grow from tubers NOT bulbs

2. My link is to The Tortoise Table in my earlier post; Dahlia IS safe.

The Tortoise Table Plant Database - Dahlia it is a good food source

 

[Jessie]

Awesome. I'm glad my guessing payed off.

 

[Yvonne G]

I was looking up a different plant and found this about dahlia:

"Dahlia Flower
Native to Mexico, Dahlia (Dahlia spp.) is a garden flower that belongs to the Asteraceae family. The perennial herb is commonly used as a houseplant or in garden beds and features showy petals in a variety of colors including shades of red, pink, yellow and purple. Repeated exposure to and handling of the foliage and tubers cause severe skin irritation due to the toxic phototoxic polyacetylene compounds they contain. Although not toxic in small amounts, ingesting large amounts of dahlia flowers is not advised."

 

[JoesMum]

And the Tortoise Table says:

"Although it has been noted that skin irritation may occur in humans following repeated handling of the tubers and leaves and exposure to light, this has not been shown to apply to reptiles and so we feel confident that this is a safe plant to feed."

 

[Yvonne G]

I like the Tortoise Table because its geared towards tortoises. Most everything you look up on the web is geared towards mammals...and as we all know tortoises are different from mammals!!