Catnip, need some help :)

hey everyone
so Im getting a cat soon, and my vet told me to grow catnip,
Im not really a big gardener and I dont even know where to get catnip
I dont even know what catnip does to cats :)
so if someone can help me that would be greaaattt :)
here is a couple of webstites and I would love for someone to give me some tips and
their opinion on these websitse
I want to get the best catnip for my future cat :)
http://www.amazon.com/Botanical-Interests-Catnip-Seeds-400/dp/B0001D67IU
and here
http://www.twenga.com/price-catnip-seeds.html
please let me know what you thing :)
have a nice day everyone!

I think you have it backwards. Get the cat first. Then try the catnip. Some cats like it and some don't. Unless you just want to grow it for the fun of it.
I have "catmint" and my cats ignore it. The store-bought stuff drives them crazy. haha

Love those pics... Imo catnip is not a necessity.

I love the pic's also. My 12 year old kitty has never liked catnip, guess thats why some are finicky LOL Good luck with your new kitty when you get it home :>)
Christine

I'm with Julie. Cat first, nip second. Then I'd buy dried catnip from your local pet store to make sure the cat likes it before you bother trying to grow it. My three cats love it but it makes them kind of crazy and one of them gets downright violent when he's high on catnip. You should be able to find catnip plants at your local garden center but most of them won't have it until spring. If you plant it in the ground it should be perennial in your area.

I like catnip for my garden. It is quite easy to grow, heat and drought tolerant etc etc etc. I try to find catnip that is not so attractive to cats. Some catnips are more alluring to cats than others. You may want to do a little research before buying your particular catnip.

I bought mine at Petsmart, and some of my kitties love it--they roll in it!
Did you ever get a kitty, Powertotheflower?

I grow the stuff. My DD has 5 cats and it effects each one differently. Each either gets a high for awhile than goes to sleep. gets mellow and fuzzy. just passes out. one won't go near it.
Try buying some dried. It's not good unless dried. I pick mine and let it dry on top of my frig. It also makes a calming tea for people.
Good luck
Vickie

Buy a pack of catnip seed at a store and plant it for fun. It comes back, and also self sows. My cats like it better than dried. It does something to their nervous system and then they go to sleep. Frequent use makes them ignore it. Also, my cat was eating ants that had gotten into the house . Then he started acting crazy like he was on catnip. My daughter looked it up and there is a compound in both ants and catnip called spirolactone (or something like that). Live and learn, die and forget it all. Luciee

The compound is not spirolactone, but nepetalactone. It is what makes them high. If anyone wants to know where she got that info, I will forward it. Luciee

Thanks for the info Lucee, Learn something new everyday.
Vickie

Cat mint and catnip 2 different plants, Nepeta cataria is catnip. I use to have a kitty that would go into the garden and lay under the plant for hours at a time so no other kitties would get it. lol. Is an herb and can make a tea for human consumption, mild sedating effect. Good Luck, Kathy

Drat, mine didn't make it over the winter in the basement! I'll have to pick up another plant, or try seeds again. I never have much luck with seeds.

I might try catnip seeds this spring too. I think I'll plant them indoors then transplant. Has anyone here done that before? Tips?
Thanks,
Ella

I have catnip growing across the road. It self sows here in z6. I can send plants when they come up.
Vickie

Ky: My Nepeta 'Walkers Low" comes back every year. It's close to a sidewalk. I thought it was hardy in Zone 6 a.

Ella, Find out how far north it is hardy. Plant your seed indoors. It transplants. Mine kind of stays green all winter, and now it is comming back from the roots. I am in z7b. Seed are cheaper than plants. KyWoods, Do they get enough light in your basement? I just planted them in a pot on the front porch one year, and then transplanted them. They self sow and come back every year to the point that I have to pull some up. L8r, girls. Luciee

They probably didn't get enough light--all the flourescent lights down there are 'occupied' by my hanging houseplants, which live outdoors in good weather.
I will look for seeds from that variety, birder17, thanks!

I apoligise if I intruded on your thread. I did'nt mean to.
Vickie

Our cats really like catnip. We have a huge patch of it in front of our house, and sometimes we have to keep them from rolling in it lest they SMASH it with their vigorous love for the stuff. Regardless if your cat likes it or not, it's always beautiful and fragrant in bloom and it sort of pulls all the other plantings together. Hope this is helpful!
Love,
Ella

cando--no apologies for adding your two cents. No one owns this thread. All information is helpful.

Thanks!

I wonder if the person who started this thread ever got a cat? Are you still there, Powertotheflower?