feeding plant life etc

[Anyfoot]

Hi all.

If I have an environment with live plants for my torts, what is the safest way to feed my plants?
Also if given the option am i better off using natural rain water for mini ponds for my torts to soak in.

Thanks

Craig

 

[Heather H]

Hi I don't feed my plants. I know Tom filters his rain water.

 

[jaizei]

Compost

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Tortoise poop. Earthworms.

 

[HotdogKnight]

I don't feed mine, they last ok with water as they are, I'm sure Vince will eat them before they get close to dying.

 

[Anyfoot]

Tortoise poop. Earthworms.

That' what I wanted to here. Thank you. Tortoise manure, and worm poop. also w will slug and snail poop work.
My new enclosure is going to be a dedicated house. 15x20ft at 7ft high. With plants and mini trees that hopefully will be there for years. Also weeds and flowers. So I will need to treat it as an indoor garden.
This brings me to my next question. If lets say grape vines that are in the wild from a change of climate environment and fruits to suit the seasons. What will happen when I put this in a permanent 24deg(75F) climate.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

That will be a live and learn situation. At the very least you'll have to invest in some "day light" lighting. Post the plants that work for you and that will help someone else in the future.

 

[Anyfoot]

That will be a live and learn situation. At the very least you'll have to invest in some "day light" lighting. Post the plants that work for you and that will help someone else in the future.

The daylight will be natural lights through 3 windows at 3ft square each and maybe 4 smaller roof windows. Not sure about roof windows yet because can only get ones that open(not fixed) and that affects my thoughts on security.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

The daylight will be natural lights through 3 windows at 3ft square each and maybe 4 smaller roof windows. Not sure about roof windows yet because can only get ones that open(not fixed) and that affects my thoughts on security.

You are aware that UV can't pass through glass, right?

 

[Anyfoot]

You are aware that UV can't pass through glass, right?

I think you are a mind reader.. You keep saying things that leads onto my next question. Some UVA rays can pass through glass but not UVB. But I need double glazed glass to keep the heat in so I do need UV lighting.
My next question was. Are there UV lights that exist that will project the rays from about 6ft up to ground level?

 

[Anyfoot]

You got me doubting myself then about uv passing through glass. Why I thought it does is because in the UK,due to rubbish weather we grow a lot of fruit and veg in greenhouses. Also you can buy different grades of UV protective sunglasses. Here is a link with a little info on the subject.
For my plans I have to assume I'm using the best UV blocking glazed windows there is.

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/abo...n-glass-block-sun-rays-that-cause-skin-cancer

 

[jaizei]

I think you are a mind reader.. You keep saying things that leads onto my next question. Some UVA rays can pass through glass but not UVB. But I need double glazed glass to keep the heat in so I do need UV lighting.
My next question was. Are there UV lights that exist that will project the rays from about 6ft up to ground level?

Yes.

 

[Anyfoot]

Yes.

Hi jaizei

So are these lights high wattage lights that are expensive to run?

 

[jaizei]

http://www.reptileuv.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_67&products_id=185


I believe @Tony the tank Had an indoor setup that used them.

 

[Anyfoot]

http://www.reptileuv.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_67&products_id=185


I believe @Tony the tank Had an indoor setup that used them.

Thank you. This has solved a major problem for me.

 

[Odin's Gma]

Hi all.

If I have an environment with live plants for my torts, what is the safest way to feed my plants?

We collect and bury his many, MANY turds near the bases of the plants or comb in into the dirt when seeding (and any hay or other plant debris that is around when we clean up his home). We also use the soiled water from his dish. Free compost and happy plants.

 

[Anyfoot]

We collect and bury his many, MANY turds near the bases of the plants or comb in into the dirt when seeding (and any hay or other plant debris that is around when we clean up his home). We also use the soiled water from his dish. Free compost and happy plants.

Excellent. Thank you. What about burying un eaten foods. Or would that encourage disease.

 

[Anyfoot]

We collect and bury his many, MANY turds near the bases of the plants or comb in into the dirt when seeding (and any hay or other plant debris that is around when we clean up his home). We also use the soiled water from his dish. Free compost and happy plants.

Are you English, Dont know why but made me laugh that. "many turds"

 

[Odin's Gma]

Excellent. Thank you. What about burying un eaten foods. Or would that encourage disease.

We do, that's the way nature works and it's cheaper and safer than anything else. Don't second guess Mother Nature.
Of course if he was ill we wouldn't.

 

[Odin's Gma]

Are you English, Dont know why but made me laugh that. "many turds"

Heh. Just a crazy Minnesotan, or course we have our own dialectic idiosyncrasies.