Edible flowers and plants?

[jayebird]

I just got a job as a florist at a very classy cut flowers & potted plants business and I've got an in on beautiful, well-cared for plants. I've googled before on houseplants to be scared of (and purged them from my collection) but now I'm thinking of acquiring some that may be fun for my bird? Even tasty?

So can anyone give me some information on flowers or plants that are edible/tasty/healthy for birds? I can even just get a single cut flower of a certain type and tie it to the bars of the cage to play with or nibble on. I get to take home plants and flowers for free every so often so this could be a regular treat

ps - I know also to be aware of food colored flowers and pesticides, so no worries.

[ptuga72]

At Safeway they sell packages of food-grade flowers in the produce section, sometimes I get them for the fids, but mostly they just throw them around. I have also heard of people growing there own potted rose bush and keeping it on the side of the cage so that some of the branches poke into the cage. I know of one cockatoo that LOVES to shred the branches and eat the rose hips.

Flowers (for food) are a good addition to a bird's diet (not necessary, but still fun!). Just remember that unless you grow it yourself with no fertilizers and pesticides/herbicides, you have to buy food grade flowers.

ETA: I forgot! Phalenopsis orchids (aka moth orchids) are safe for birds to play in, and this time of year you can buy them in any super market (you might want to repot though, they normally put orchid food in the soil mix. This kind of fertilizer is not only bad for birds, but will burn the plant's roots.) Also Aloe is a good plant to have too. It can be used for a number of things!

[jayebird]

Thank you, ptuga!

(bumps topic)

Any other ideas?

[born2fly]

I would guess that those flowers at the shop would be heavy on fertilizers/pesticides to look good. I might be wrong, but unless you know for sure I would think twice.

[Titanius]

This link offers a nice long list of bird-safe edible flowers. So I say look at what's familiar and enjoy! Honestly I'd never have thought to offer flowers to my birds.This has me thinking.

http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-magazines/bird-talk/2008-february/bird-safe-flower.aspx

[Giantmoa]

I plant plenty of nasturtium in my yard plus I have a huge honeysuckle bush and roses that I'll grab her some petals from. where I work there is an amazon who is a pro at getting to the nectar in passion flowers (she completely ignores the petals) handing her the flowers is one of the few times she likes me grumpy girl that she is

and I too would be cautious of commercial flowers and pesticide use =/