Artichokes

[Tortellini]

Hi Joe,

I saw on the edible plants listing that artichokes are listed.  Please clarify that the entire globe: leaves and heart etc. are edible.

I noticed that cucumber is listed and I assume it is just the leaves of the cucumber plant since I read somewhere in the forum that the cucumber itself is not good for torts.
Please advise

Thanks - Donna

[Joe H]

I saw on the edible plants listing that artichokes are listed.  Please clarify that the entire globe: leaves and heart etc. are edible.

all of it is edible...but the leaves are the best part

I noticed that cucumber is listed and I assume it is just the leaves of the cucumber plant since I read somewhere in the forum that the cucumber itself is not good for torts

again all is edible, but the flowers and leaves are the good part. The fruit should be avoided. The same with any of the squash family

[Tortellini]

Ok thanks Joe!

[Tortellini]

One other question Joe -- red and green peppers (the actual pepper) is this oK with seeds removed?

[Brian]

Mine hate artichokes for some reason.

[lepinsky]

Hi Joe,

I'm confused about cucumber.  You said it is bad for them, but I thought the only reason you shouldn't give cucumber fruit is that it has no nourishment in it (i.e. not bad, but no benefit).  I know that people do sometimes use it for hydration because of its water content, or to deliver medicine (cucumber panacur sandwiches comes to mind).  Also, is the squash family really bad for occasional treats?  I thought that lots of people fed their torts pumpkin once in a while, and that pumpkin has anti-worm properties.

Nina

[Joe H]

One other question Joe -- red and green peppers (the actual pepper) is this oK with seeds removed?

They are fruit

[Joe H]

Hi Joe,

I'm confused about cucumber.  You said it is bad for them, but I thought the only reason you shouldn't give cucumber fruit is that it has no nourishment in it (i.e. not bad, but no benefit).  I know that people do sometimes use it for hydration because of its water content, or to deliver medicine (cucumber panacur sandwiches comes to mind).  Also, is the squash family really bad for occasional treats?  I thought that lots of people fed their torts pumpkin once in a while, and that pumpkin has anti-worm properties.

Nina

Pumpkin is usually once a year

Squash and cucumbers are fruit

[Brian]

Is it high in sugar?  I thought that is why fruit was bad.

[Joe H]

Yes they are high in sugars. They also have a negative calcium/phosphorous ratio