Sulcata food

[shiannem1]

Thanks to Sulcatafood.com we now fresh food started for my little one. Plus I bought a new hibiscus Chompers gonna love it!

 

[Tom]

The little white flecks in the soil for the hibiscus is perlite. Make sure the tortoise doesn't ever have access to that. They will eat it and it can kill them if they eat enough of it. Also be aware that any plant like that grown at a nursery will be grown with systemic pesticides. These pesticides are absorbed into the plant's tissues through the roots and it can take a year for them to dissipate. After a year, I only feed the new growth from plants like these.

Congrats on the new seeds!

 

[shiannem1]

The little white flecks in the soil for the hibiscus is perlite. Make sure the tortoise doesn't ever have access to that. They will eat it and it can kill them if they eat enough of it. Also be aware that any plant like that grown at a nursery will be grown with systemic pesticides. These pesticides are absorbed into the plant's tissues through the roots and it can take a year for them to dissipate. After a year, I only feed the new growth from plants like these.

Congrats on the new seeds!

Thanks so much Tom. I did know about new plants and waiting a minimum of a year before feeding anything do to pesticides but it’s still great to have the reminders . My plan is to only feed what I pick that way he doesn’t get any of the white flecks. I also have it separate from where he will be when he’s older that way I know what he’s eating and how much. I do have cactus that I started growing for him as well any recommendations on anything else for when he gets bigger?

 

[waretrop]

Perlite is actually a volcanic glass that is heated until the glass sort of explodes into a white puff..It is in soil to keep it light and fluffy..

So "shiannem1", heed Toms warnings....

 

[waretrop]

Also "shiannem1" sometimes there is a product that looks like grey chips in soil, That is vermiculite which also heated to explode. It contains asbestos, which is glass. Any little, fine, shiny stuff in soil may be mica. It is also glass like sharp stuff. You should never use these products where animals are living.

 

[madbad]

It contains asbestos, which is glass.

I don't know enough about chemistry to argue...but is this right?

Edit: I stand corrected

 

[Tom]

I don't know enough about chemistry to argue...but is this right?

Edit: I stand corrected

In the past, I believe some types of vermiculite did contain asbestos. The stuff I see on the shelves now, at least here in CA, specifically says "Asbestos Free" right on the bag.

 

[waretrop]

Cool, I am old and have old knowledge.....LOL I know in the old house insulation it has been changed to something else. Just not a good thing..