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indoor seed starting for cat owners
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Posted by morning_sun z8 TX (My Page) on Tue, Jan 18, 05 at 16:00
| Hello everyone,
I would like to start some seeds indoors for this spring. Problem is, I know as soon as they are a few inches tall my cat will want to munch on them.
I've seen those seed trays with the humidity covers and some are 6" tall. Will this be good enough to get me through last frost [Mar. 15].
And is it bad for the plants to leave those covers on all the time? Opinions welcome, thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: indoor seed starting for cat owners
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| Good luck. My cats only nibble on catnip cuttings leaving other seedlings alone, but they do like to lay on the flats of soil. I set a new seed tray down, and within seconds there will be a cat on it. I'll have to try someone's idea of using toothpicks in the soil. Maybe you could distract your cat with her own pot of cuttings. I was plagued by damping off when I tried the plastic covers but they might work in less humid areas. |
RE: indoor seed starting for cat owners
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| Usually once the seeds have sprouted, the cover needs to come off or the plants may rot. However you might consider winter sowing, where you can keep the lid on and just stick it out on the balcony in the shade (and perhaps that will allow it to be out of reach of kitty if you hide it) and leave it out until you are ready to transplant. Since it is usually a bit cooler outside than inside at this time of year (at least where you are before the heats sets in), you can often leave the lids on unless it really warms up. By keeping them outside, the little seedlings will already be hardened off for planting and enjoyment outside when you normally do. that There's a Winter Sowing forum at GW that you might want to check out. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing
RE: indoor seed starting for cat owners
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| hi there- i have the same problem with my cat. First off, I started my seeds indoors on my bedroom window. I put the blinds over them so he could not reach them (although he still likes to look at them through the blinds, he just can't get to them!) Also, I went to Petsmart and bought him this special cat plant. I have been scolding him when he eats my houseplants and then I take him to his plant (which I put right by his food dish) and encourage him to eat that one only. He is doing very well so far! I also feed him indoor cat food which has greens in it to curb his cravings. Hope that helps! |
RE: indoor seed starting for cat owners
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| As a gardener, grow your indoor cat some catgrass and catnip. They're healthy alternatives for your houseplants and they'll much prefer them. |
RE: indoor seed starting for cat owners
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Something I am going to be trying for propogating is a small (10 gal.)aquarium that I picked up at a garage sale. The glass was cracked at the top and thus no good for fish. I will start using it in January for the really early stuff like pansies. The light canopy will keep it nice and toasty in there and the openings for filter, heater ect will hopfully provide some air exchange. That oughta foil the felines.
I just hope 10 gallons is big enough! LOL Will let you know how it works. |
RE: indoor seed starting for cat owners
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| I have used an old 20gal aquarium for 20+ years now to sprout seedlings. Place about 2" of vermiculite in the bottom of the aquarium and cover the top with glass or clear plastic. A 20w flourecent lamp on top of the glass that is kept on for 16 hours provides light for seeds that need it. I use a small heatsource below the aquarium to raise the interior temp to about 70degF (very important because this room seldom gets above 50F). This system allows me to raise 100+ seedlings every year with 90% germination rate. I usually use small 4x6 trays (cut down seedling flats 10yrs old now)that are about 1" tall. Sterilize them every year with a bleach solution and fill them with seedstarting mix. I use a cut paper towel to block the 1/2" holes in the bottom of these old flats. I useed to use the medium paperpots to transplant the seedlings to but these aren't available any more so I'll scrounge for something that has 2" cells that are 2-1/2" deep. Bob |
RE: indoor seed starting for cat owners
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| I start mine in my bedroom, and keep the door closed to keep my cats out. They are lonely at night for a couple of months, but its worth it :) |
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