HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Okay, so we were visiting Epicurean Hermit Crab today and saw a recipe where JC used a dried oak leaf. Given that we live in Florida, we don't have the big beautiful and robust oak trees that I grew up with in Massachusetts. We do, however, have a "pin oak". The leaves are maybe 2" long by about 3/4" wide and shaped close to an oval. Given that it is a member of the oak family, would the leaves and eventual acorns be okay to feed the herms?

Also, if I were to get some flowers (say I nick one from a plant at Wal-Mart or buy a whole plant), what would be the best way to prep the flower to feed the herms given that I don't know what it might be sprayed with? Wash the flowers with salt water? Boil them? Nuke them? Or allow the plant to grow and just take new flowers that grow under my care so that there's no chance of ICK being on it?

yes, the leaves should be good to feed the crabs...when I feed them to my crabs, I either crush them up in the food very fine, or serve it whole. the acorns, however...I think I read somewhere that they have to be soaked in water before serving (like chestnuts). but I could be 100% wrong on that.

I would grow the plant yourself so that you're sure there are no pesticides...better safe than sorry.

Caroline