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Annuals/Are Spike plants toxic to Pheasants & Quail

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Expert: - 5/17/2008


Question
I recently purchased over 100 Spike plants with the intent of planting them in a range pen in which I will be raising pheasnats and quail.  I need to know if these are in any way toxic to game or song birds.

Thank you,
Tim Leighty

Answer
Timothy,
Spikes are in the genus Dracaena, and they are not known to be toxic to pet birds, but they are on lists as plants toxic to pigeons. I don't know if they are toxic to game birds. I'd pose this question to a forum that specializes in raising game birds such as the following:
http://www.thatquailplace.com/smf/index.php

If you can't find out for sure I'd not plant them if I were you...why take the chance?

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

all the best,  

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C.L. Fornari

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Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

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I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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