Iguana Food

**Capsid** · 04-06-2008, 04:55 PM

But spring greens are young cabbage, so I'm confused as to why they are suitable but cabbage is not.

The seeds are sown in autumn and overwintered for spring harvesting before the cabbage hearts form. You can buy seed from Thompson and Morgan.

**Chillimad** · 04-06-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by Capsid View Post

But spring greens are young cabbage, so I'm confused as to why they are suitable but cabbage is not.

The seeds are sown in autumn and overwintered for spring harvesting before the cabbage hearts form. You can buy seed from Thompson and Morgan.

Thanks for such a quick reply...

Well now you have got me thinking, I will have to check what I have based my assumptions on for the last 5 years,, I read somewhere that cabbage had a certain chemical in that Iguanas could not tolerate, I can't think what chemical it was, but I will take your advice and get ordering some seeds.

One final question on the subject then,, can they be grown in containers, are they slow or fast growing, would I be best using growbags ??.. TIA

Thankyou

**Capsid** · 04-06-2008, 05:05 PM

Yes, I just read about this out of interest. The chemicals are called goitrogens which are present in the cabbage family and they prevent iodine being absorbed by iguanas which can cause swollen thyroid glands. So I don't think feeding spring greens is a good idea. I'd recommend growing turnips and spinach which are easy, give the iguana the leaves and you can eat the tasty turnips.

**Chillimad** · 04-06-2008, 05:08 PM

Spot on, that is exactly what I had read, but I also read that spring greens were ok,, this is the trouble in the reptile keeping world, so much conflicting information makes you

and

but they have all faired well for the last 5 years,, my concern now is actually stopping the greens, they are succeptable to change :

**squashysu** · 04-06-2008, 05:09 PM

hi there, i thought spring greens were from sprouts, or am i going mad!

spinach should be good though and mine has grown really quick and is really tasty!

SS

**Chillimad** · 04-06-2008, 05:36 PM

So can I grow turnips in a container, and I guess I am too late for then now this year ?

**Capsid** · 04-06-2008, 05:36 PM

Originally posted by squashysu View Post

hi there, i thought spring greens were from sprouts, or am i going mad!

spinach should be good though and mine has grown really quick and is really tasty!

SS

You can get new leaf growth from brussels when you cut the tops off after harvesting the sprouts in winter. These new leaves are edible. But when I see spring greens in the supermarket they look like young cabbage to me.

**Capsid** · 04-06-2008, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by Chillimad View Post

So can I grow turnips in a container, and I guess I am too late for then now this year ?

No, turnips can be grown throughout the year and containers would be ok.

**Chillimad** · 04-06-2008, 05:41 PM

Thanks Mark, will get ordering some seeds then,, BTW they can not eat spinach either :-(,, atleast hopefully this year they will have carrot tops, yellow wax beans, peas, and now turnip tops as something different

**Capsid** · 04-06-2008, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by Chillimad View Post

Thanks Mark, will get ordering some seeds then,, BTW they can not eat spinach either :-(,, atleast hopefully this year they will have carrot tops, yellow wax beans, peas, and now turnip tops as something different

OK, glad I could help, but I don't have any experience of keeping reptiles, so perhaps you should double check with a reputable pet store or a vet/RSPCA.

**Chillimad** · 04-06-2008, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by Capsid View Post

OK, glad I could help, but I don't have any experience of keeping reptiles, so perhaps you should double check with a reputable pet store or a vet/RSPCA.

I know for fact that the above are all OK, (Have already checked)

, just the greens causing confusion

**shirlthegirl43** · 04-06-2008, 05:50 PM

Don't forget to sow a few seeds every week or two to keep the greens nice and fresh. Do you have a light and heat for the iguanas? If so, these might enable you to grow fresh greens through the winter too.

**Chillimad** · 04-06-2008, 05:55 PM

I was thinking of that

, I have 7 Vivariums, for my iggies, but I also have a "Spare" one completely set up, steady temperature of 80f, and uv light, I was wandering about using it for actually growing the veg in, maybee it would be worth a go

, 8' X 6' X 3' so not a bad size but being new to the veg growing not sure what would grow without overgrowing if you know what I mean

**shirlthegirl43** · 04-06-2008, 06:00 PM

I would give it a go - just experiment with a couple of seeds in a shallow container. You don't really need to worry about depth of soil for the root to develop, you want to encourage as much leaf as possible.

We no longer have fish and I am trying to persuade Madmax to let me keep the tank so I can have a go at growing fresh veggies in it in the winter.

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