Is it spring yet in the colder climates? What’s growing for food?

RosemaryDW

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
I know some of you guys have been waiting for warmer weather so you can introduce some wild or different food back into your tortoises’ diets.

Has the big thaw occured? If so, maybe it’s time to put a picture and comment of your meals in the Tortoise Chef thread? Cold climate diets are often the hardest to manage and I’d love to see how it’s handled by folks.
 

Jay Bagley

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2017
Messages
1,481
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
I know some of you guys have been waiting for warmer weather so you can introduce some wild or different food back into your tortoises’ diets.

Has the big thaw occured? If so, maybe it’s time to put a picture and comment of your meals in the Tortoise Chef thread? Cold climate diets are often the hardest to manage and I’d love to see how it’s handled by folks.
I went through lots and lots and lots of wheatgrass, escarole and endive. Among other things.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,660
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
My winter diet consist of dried grass and leaves, mulberry, hibiscus, magnolia, another tree leaf I don't remember the name of, cactus, spring mix, and all other grocery greens and mazuri. The dried stuff doesn't last all winter, but about half. The temps just got warmer and not quite warm enough yet. Bad spring this year, but had a warmer late fall
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,660
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Oh, forgot rose of Sharon leaf and also lilac leaf.
I also started adding Purina Layena since reading that Will feeds to all his tortoises and I remember Yvonne mentioning using it too.
 
Last edited:

Jay Bagley

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2017
Messages
1,481
Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
I also used herbal hay, mazuri, and cactus... thinking about trying to dry my own weeds and flowers this year for the following winter.
 

daniellenc

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2017
Messages
2,084
Location (City and/or State)
Maryland
We finally have broad leaf plantain, dandelion, hasta, and clover back. Rose of Sharon is on its way but winter diet was a lot of store bought chicories, herbal mix, spring mix, mazuri, fruit, and weekly chicken or shrimp for my red foot yearling
 

RosemaryDW

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
4,144
Location (City and/or State)
Newport Coast, CA
My winter diet consist of dried grass and leaves, mulberry, hibiscus, magnolia, another tree leaf I don't remember the name of, cactus, spring mix, and all other grocery greens and mazuri. The dried stuff doesn't last all winter, but about half. The temps just got warmer and not quite warm enough yet. Bad spring this year, but had a warmer late fall

Would you be willing to post it in the Chef thread? There are so many cold climate owners that could benefit from your experiences.
 

TriciaStringer

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2018
Messages
1,186
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana
My winter diet consist of dried grass and leaves, mulberry, hibiscus, magnolia, another tree leaf I don't remember the name of, cactus, spring mix, and all other grocery greens and mazuri. The dried stuff doesn't last all winter, but about half. The temps just got warmer and not quite warm enough yet. Bad spring this year, but had a warmer late fall
Is that the magnolia leaf from a magnolia tree? We have tons of those trees in our area.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,660
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Is that the magnolia leaf from a magnolia tree? We have tons of those trees in our area.
Yes it is. They like them fresh better then dried though. At least mine do. That's where mazuri helps a lot. They will eat just about anything with mazuri on it.
 

TriciaStringer

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2018
Messages
1,186
Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana
Yes it is. They like them fresh better then dried though. At least mine do. That's where mazuri helps a lot. They will eat just about anything with mazuri on it.
Buy-Real-Magnolia-Grandiflora-Tree-Seeds-240pcs-Plant-White-Magnoliaceae-Flower-Grow-Sweet-Guang-Yu-Lan.jpg_640x640.jpg


I looked it up on tortoise table and this is what we have, it doesn't look like the one on tortoise table.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,660
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Buy-Real-Magnolia-Grandiflora-Tree-Seeds-240pcs-Plant-White-Magnoliaceae-Flower-Grow-Sweet-Guang-Yu-Lan.jpg_640x640.jpg


I looked it up on tortoise table and this is what we have, it doesn't look like the one on tortoise table.
You might just have a different color variety? The leaves on yours looks like the leaves from mine and mine looks like the one pictured on the tortoise table. It does say the flowers are mostly pink or white with some being a dark pink.
Yours is fine. The flowers can be fed too which are short lived so feed them while you have them.
 
Top