Is houseleek poisonous to turtles?

Is houseleek poisonous to turtles?

Houseleek (Sempervivum) is non-toxic to turtles. On the contrary, the succulent thick-leafed plant (Crassulaceae) is at the top of the menu for many turtle species. The houseleek owes its status as a coveted fodder plant to these remarkable properties:

• Houseleek is a traditional medicinal plant with healthy ingredients such as malic acid, mucilage, vitamins, potassium and calcium.
• Water stored in the succulent leaves provides turtles with extra fluid.
• Evergreen Sempervivum species are hardy and are available as forage plants all year round.

Can I plant houseleek in the turtle enclosure?

The vast majority of 60 houseleek species are native to the European Alps, such as the als

rock garden plant estimated Sempervivum tectorum. In their native regions, houseleeks have learned to survive in the blazing sun, midsummer heat and drought. These growth characteristics make the rock rose the perfect plant for the turtle outdoor enclosure.

Of a useful function as an ornamental or groundcover Of course, you shouldn't hope for too much. Turtles love to eat juicy sempervivum leaves. The houseleek has long since been exterminated by the time it blooms or reproduces through daughter rosettes.

How do I properly plant houseleek for turtles?

Turtle experts recommend rocky-gravelly, well-drained soil as substrate for the outdoor enclosure. This substrate quality is also advantageous for vigorous houseleek growth. How to properly plant houseleeks in the turtle enclosure:

• The ideal location is full sun and warm.
• Dig the desired number of planting pits at a distance of 15 cm to 20 cm in the ground.
• A planting hole is twice as big as the root ball of a houseleek.
• The pit sole sprinkle with a layer grit,(€12.00 at Amazon*) Gravel or coarse sand for drainage.
• Plant the potted houseleek, press down the soil well and water with low-lime water.

How do I care for houseleek in the turtle enclosure?

The houseleek comes along with undemanding frugality. The only maintenance measure in the turtle outdoor enclosure is the water supply as needed. If there is no rain for a long time, the succulent plant falls back on the water reserves in the leaf rosettes. In the course of this, the formerly juicy leaves shrivel up. If a houseleek shows this symptom, please water the plant with rainwater or stagnant tap water. Beyond that, no further maintenance work is required.