Living inside with a turtle

Deflation

Hello everyone. I hope this is the right place and everything.

Im building an indoor enclosure for my box turtle, and was wanting to put in a bonsai tree. Ive been looking around but Im really not sure of the exact type I want, though I have made a list of characteristics I need, I was wondering if anyone could help out!

-Does not need to go dormant
-Easy to maintain
-Good inside plant
-Can handle 85-98 degrees farenheit
-0-35% humidity throughout the day
-Hardy if the turtle scratches at it

Thats about it. I was thinking along the lines of some type of tropical plant, though I cant find a specific type. Ill be ordering one in May or mid spring. Is that an ok time to have one shipped? Whats a good store?

Right now I own a young juniper that I love to death and it always outside, but Im afraid I cant have a juniper cause they need to go dormant. This tree will be inside all year round under the same constant conditions.

Slight misting in the morning and watering every 1-3 days. Planted in Cypris Chips Natural Earth Bedding soil with fishemulsion fertilizer.

I appreciate all of the help everyone! Thanks!

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TreeBay

I have no clue, really, but I would probably try a ficus or schefflera. I think the main risk is the tree being eaten.

Regards,

Matt

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Deflation

I forgot to mention this but turtles go for trees that bloom and have flowers, or have fruits/berries. Otherwise, they tend to be left alone. Smaller leaves wouldnt be a bad idea either, though if the turtle does decide to try and take a bite of a leaf to determine whether it is food, it most definitly cant be toxic.

One of the people on the turtle forum I am on also said banyan or a fiscus type. Would these work well? Or do they need to go dormant?

What else should I worry about with these inside?

Any good places to get one?

Jay

Hi there, as you are aware this is a Bonsai Board. If you put a tree into the 'turtle tank' the tree is not a Bonsai. And...there is no specific types of trees that 'are' bonsai, there are only trees that 'can' be made into Bonsai.

That all said Matts suggestions are correct. Ficus is your best choice, there are several 'types' of ficus some with small leaves. A Banyon is basically a Ficus.

Your Turtle forum would be the best place to find out the types of trees best suited (or not suited) for your turtles. As you can imagine the possibility of a tree being eaten is not one of the top topics we discuss.

Good luck and why not get us a picture when you get the tree in place.
Jay

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Deflation

Hey, thanks. Yeah, I understand what you mean about making a tree into a bonsai. I was just hoping to get a small tree, while keeping it small, and putting it into my cage with the turtle. I didnt know another way to put it.

My main questions were about what trees do well indoors without dormancy, and all of the other characteristics I mentioned. I guess I will be looking into fiscus trees if that is correct.

Also, any good stores or sellers that you know of? I would appreciate it. I will start my search as well, but Im inexperienced buying online.

And I defidently will get a picture when put in!

new4me

I have tried many plants with my turtles, only to realize they will bulldoze them. Its a good idea, but very hard to accomplish. My tortises will eat anything green, if they dont eat it they knock it over. Just my two cents Rich

rockm

Um, Your tree may not be the only thing that needs to go dormant. If yo'ore working with a native box turtle, it too, may require a dormancy...The species hibernates here in the Eastern U.S....