Herself's Houseplants

paperwhites

I noticed this about a year ago and I really liked the effect. Instead of staking your orchid flowers with bamboo sticks many were using twigs and branches they had cut from trees. The twig blends into the flower much better and it all looks more natural.

Sticks can be dollar stretchers

Research in the lab of Dr. Joel Coats in the Department of Entomology at Iowa State University indicates that chemicals produced naturally by two plants, catnip and the osage orange (also known as hedgeapple) repel German cockroaches. Folklore includes numerous claims that catnip and osage orange are repellent to insects and spiders. Results presented at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in New Orleans, LA, August 22-26, show that when given a choice between a surface treated with these plant oils and an untreated surface, German cockroaches spent much more time on the untreated surface. Graduate research assistant Chris Peterson observed the responses of the cockroaches. He said that “the roaches will venture onto the treated surface, stop, turn around and walk off onto the untreated surface.” [ read more Catnip and Osage Orange Components Found to Repel German Cockroaches]

But your cats will be too stoned to catch mice so you might trade one problem for another.

Purchase the plants, not seeds, you can find them at pet stores and nurseries. Catnip, like all herbs, needs lots of light. Put it in your brightest window or supplement it with fluorescent lights. Then water only when the top half inch of soil is dry.

The catnip plant does not repel the roaches but rather a substance in the oil repels roaches. So you could also rub some catnip oil along your doors and windows, but that could create a larger problem.

Compost is the reduced remains of leaves, grass, vegetables, fruits and other good things. Farmers and gardeners have been using compost since Biblical times to improve their plants.

Bette Midler said “My whole life had been spent waiting for an epiphany, a manifestation of God’s presence, the kind of transcendent, magical experience that lets you see your place in the big picture. And that is what I had with my first compost heap.”

As a houseplant grower you probably don’t have your very own compost pile but you can now buy compost at your favorite plant supply store or online.

Compost holds about 20x its weight in water, helping to prevent over watering problems and you’ll need to water your house plants less frequently. It is a natural way to balance the nutrients your plants require for healthy growth. It breaks down soil, making it easier for roots to grow all through the pot. It recreates the microbiology in the soil your plant needs but won’t get from store bought potting soils. You won’t have to repot as frequently if you have compost mixed into your potting soil.

When you repot your plants mix about 20% compost into the new potting soil.

For existing plants take a pencil, poke some holes in the soil and add some compost. Then place a thin layer of compost on top as well.

Your plants will thank you.

Usually cats and houseplants do well once the cats get past the kitten stage. But not always.

My biggest problems with cats and plants has been cats knocking the flowers off cut flowers and blooming indoor plants. I’ve chased more than one around the house with barren flower stalks threatening to turn them into dog food.

Common problems with cats and house plants:

1) The cats use your plant as a litter box.

- Replant the plant and put sharp gravel on top. It’ll look pretty and the cats won’t dig through the gravel. A half inch to an inch is fine.

2) The cats eat the house plants.

- I’ve had some but not great success with a spray called ‘Bitter’ you can buy at the pet store. It hasn’t hurt any plants I’ve tried it on and the cats don’t like it. The problem is they don’t know they don’t like till they eat it a few times. Cats are slow learners.

3) Some house plants are toxic to cats. ( see links here for correct information on which plants are toxic to cats ) most are not. Usually the cats leave them alone, but there is no harm in not having toxic plants near your pets. There are lots of non-toxic choices. ( see also ASPCA list of plants toxic to cats )

4) The cats tip plants over. This is my biggest problem. If the plants are not against a window but on a counter or table Fred likes to rub up against the pots and often lighter weight ones tip when he does this. Putting the plants near a window or weighing them down with a few rocks fixes this.

5) Waterbottle training. This has worked with every kitten we’ve had. The first time you see the cat doing something to a plant, spray him with a bit of water from a spray bottle. The second ( or third for slow cats ) time you’ll only need to pick up the spray bottle. I’ve yet to have a cat that needed more than 3 sprays of water to avoid all the house plants. Persist and the water bottle method will work in less than a couple of weeks.