Where to get plants

[bmt123]

So I have just finished my box turtle enclosure it is almost ready except i need some plants. I am afraid of chemicals is there any where that I can get safe plants.

 

[stillframeband]

Indoor or outdoor? I just bought some seeds from Carolina Pet Supply; I haven't planted them yet, but the order shipped fast and correctly. I think some others on here like them, too (that's probably where I read about them )

 

[bmt123]

It is outdoor I can drive to the store so maybe I can go there

 

[stillframeband]

Cool! I got the 'tortoise grazing seed mix', if that's any help

 

[bmt123]

I am going to go there and get some seeds but I really wanted an actual plant

 

[stillframeband]

I'd be interested to see what others say on that one, too; I have some Petco '$2 specials' (safe for reptiles) that I've had for a few years now, but I'd like to know a good source for grown-up plants, too! Black Jungle Terrarium Supply has lots of interesting plants, but they're geared more towards terrariums, and I'd figure you'd have to determine whether they were safe for box turtles, too...

I've read lots of people using pothos...maybe they just get them from local plant nurseries and cycle them before they plant?

 

[Itort]

It's end of season so check out local nurseries. Ferns, hostas, raspberries, and strawberries are good choices for boxies as they provide fruit, cover, and attract bugs. The boxies won't eat or trample these plants.

 

[Saloli]

You can decontaminate the plants. First strip all soil for the plant. Then rinse all remaining soil off. Third run through soapy water ( use hand dishwashing soap). Last rinse with clean water.

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If I buy plants ( I usually grow my own from seed, cuttings or division I was a horticulture major before I switched to biology) home depot or lowes. Though you should decontaminate them first.

 

[terryo]

When I was just starting my turtle garden, I just bought plants from Home Depot and planted them. Hosta's, fig tree, Rose of Sharon, creeping jenny for ground cover, petunia's, ornamantal grasses, hardy hibiscus, etc....Most Box Turtles don't eat the plants, except in the early Spring before any worms or bugs come out, mine will eat the Hosta sprouts. They usually grow fast, forming new sprouts. I've never had any problem with them eating the plants. Tortoises are a different thing altogether. I would be more careful planting for them, but I've never seen my boxies eat any plants the garden.

 

[bogart20]

http://www.tortoisesupply.com/SeedMixes
This has a great selection and is very trusted

 

[yagyujubei]

I agree with Terry, I just buy them, and plant them. Never had a problem. I just mAKE SURE THAT IF THERE'S PERLITE, VERMICULITE, OR FERTilizer balls, that they're covered with clean soil.

When I was just starting my turtle garden, I just bought plants from Home Depot and planted them. Hosta's, fig tree, Rose of Sharon, creeping jenny for ground cover, petunia's, ornamantal grasses, hardy hibiscus, etc....Most Box Turtles don't eat the plants, except in the early Spring before any worms or bugs come out, mine will eat the Hosta sprouts. They usually grow fast, forming new sprouts. I've never had any problem with them eating the plants. Tortoises are a different thing altogether. I would be more careful planting for them, but I've never seen my boxies eat any plants the garden.

 

[Saloli]

It isn't the plant that is the problem it is all the chemicals that are in the soil. Those chemicals end up in all the insects, worms and other animals that the turtles find. It is called bioaccumulation. Do you remember DDT and it's effects on birds? Well some of those chemicals that are used on those plants are related to it. They over time have similar effects on turtles. They also can suppress the immune system.

 

[terryo]

It isn't the plant that is the problem it is all the chemicals that are in the soil. Those chemicals end up in all the insects, worms and other animals that the turtles find. It is called bioaccumulation. Do you remember DDT and it's effects on birds? Well some of those chemicals that are used on those plants are related to it. They over time have similar effects on turtles. They also can suppress the immune system.

This is extremely good information for a new Box Turtle owner, and I absolutely agree with you. The other side of the coin.....we never had computers, to do research, and neither did my Dad before me. We just bought plants and planted a garden, then we put the turtles in the garden. I have many friends with Box Turtles, who don't even belong to a forum, and just plant whatever they like in their turtle pen. But this is why I don't like to give advice because eveything is new now, and all the things I've been doing for thirty years or more, people have found other ways to do them. That's why I love reading all these posts....always something new to learn. Of course for my tortoises, I do things differently.

 

[Saloli]

I didn't have a computer in the house til I was in high school. I always did my research in books at the library or my Uncles' they always had lots of books. Though a good deal of what I learned about what box turtles eat came from watching them in the wild and in captivity. My list of foods is over 20 years in the making. But bioaccumulation and magnification were known about in the 40's though it only became widely known after the publication of "silent spring". I do how ever understand where you are coming from. The main reason I recommend only keeping plants and animals that are from the same place is that they generally will recognize what plants they can and can not eat. Sometimes close relatives are acceptable substitutes European plums sub. for American plums. I do intend on publishing a list of north American plants that are co-occur with each subspecies. I will also add the USDA climactic zones (heat and hardiness zones ) if that info for each species, if it is available. Though if those species are native to the state it is better to use local individuals for the same reasons as using native species in the first place. The list that I'll make may take a bit of time as I compile. As for subspecies like the TTBTs they maybe a little longer then for the EBTs because they have different habitat preferences in different areas (some are forest dwellers some are savannah or prairie dwellers).

 

[terryo]

I didn't have a computer in the house til I was in high school. I always did my research in books at the library or my Uncles' they always had lots of books. Though a good deal of what I learned about what box turtles eat came from watching them in the wild and in captivity. My list of foods is over 20 years in the making. But bioaccumulation and magnification were known about in the 40's though it only became widely known after the publication of "silent spring".

With all due respect...and I truly mean that, because I really respect you and all your posts on this forum.....but...IMHO Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was nothing more than "junk science" , but that is another debate and not for this thread. Also, you are much more educated than I could ever be, so I couldn't begin to argue this point with you intelligently. If I want to be informed about the dangers of pesticides then I'll read serious works by qualified epidemiologists. Her book to me was nothing more that distortion of the facts which contributed to "the ban", which led to the unnecessary death of 30 million to Malaria (a disease nearly eradicated before the ban). Sorry for the rant...and hijacking this thread....just MHO.

 

[Saloli]

I do agree with you for the most part on silent spring. It could have presented things in a less biased manner. She was trying to get a point across. In bringing it up I was just saying that it was what brought the effects of pesticides to people's attention. As before the book was published the general public thought pesticides in general were safe without lasting effects. This lead to the development and production of safer more effective pesticides. Though as far as DDT is concerned the mosquito were developing resistance to it which. It is still used in some countries. The worst thing is the malaria itself is becoming more and more resistant to quinine and other drugs. Sorry every body for the rant.