What is wrong with my philo? The cat has been using it for a litter box, could that be it? I don't know what else it could be.
Help!!!
Oh no!! I suspect that is probably the problem :( I'm no expert but I would cut the off the worst of the leaves, remove from the pot, wash the roots well and repot in fresh soil. Cat urine has so much ammonia in it be sure to rinse it well. Hoping for the best for your poor plant :(
Hugs :)
Hi Steph,
That is the only thing I can think of, it was doing so great. I will cry if I lose it!!
Is it a variegated monstera? I sure hope you don't loose it. I would think if the roots still look good then you can save it :)
I bought it labeled as 'Philodendron Cheesecake", but some said there is no such thing, but I have found it on the internet, so I don't know.
Your plant is a variegated Monstera and you need to get all the soil off the roots, repot it in fresh potting media (no fertilizer!) and keep it away from the cats! Keep it watered but not soaked, and be prepared for some leaf loss. Most important is to keep the cats from using it as a litter box again, or you WILL lose the plant.
LariAnn
Aroidia Research
Thank you, It was a kitten and the litter box is 5 ft. away, I guess she preferred the real thing.
Thinking it'd be a good idea to wash the soil off --ALL of it-- and let the plant sit in water for a day or two. Then replant.
Wouldn't this reduce the concentration of ammonia in the plant most quickly?
Condition of the plant strongly suggests the fine roots have already absorbed a highly problematic chemistry. Unless this is pulled out by osmosis, it will continue to flow into the plant, which looks like it can't take much more.
A beautiful specimen, worth going to great lengths to revive it.
This message was edited Jan 31, 2011 12:14 AM
I have that same plant. I have found them to be very tough so I hope yours makes it. I started with one plant last year and now have 3. They are pretty drought tolerant as well because we got very little rain last summer and low humidity. I didn't have the time to keep everything watered last summer the way I should have and they did great despite the abuse.
GA Girl,
How is the plant doing?
Hanging on....I dumped all that soil and rinsed it off, and then repotted it and put it outside in my GH so the cat would not get back in it. I am convinced that is what the problem was, because it was doing great, then we got the kitten. Thanks for asking.
Put wax paper on top of the soil . Cats hate the feel of wax paper on their feet. It worked for mine, but it isn't always proven. Worth a try!! Good luck!!
Thanks, I repotted it and it seems to be doing fine.