Catnip...

I posted a request for catnip seed in the "seed trading" forum but thought I'd post a request here also cause catnip is an herb...I think?

Thanks for your consideration...
Jan

It certainly is, and you're better off direct sowing it if you have cats.

"If you seat it, they will eat it.
If you sow it, they won't know it."

Once a leaf is bruised (as happens in transplanting) they can smell it and go for it. I have 3 cats, and one is completely immune to it and looks at the others the way designated drivers look at their buddies -- just a little jealous, just a little disgusted.

Cats can be SO funny... Both of mine turn into party animals with lampshades on their heads for dried catnip, but look at you like you've lost your mind if you offer them fresh. Go figure...!

Jan, Dmail me your address and I'll get a packet of catnip seed right out to you.

since it is in the mint family, will it really take over everything ? I have heard bad stories about mint being very invasive.

Catnip (at least in my garden) seems to clump rather than to send our runners the way that mint does. However, if you don't deadhead the spent blooms, you will discover that it is a PROLIFIC reseeder.

Jan, I saw that you had a response in the seed trading forum, so I'll assume you found the seed you needed.

Thanks 'critter'---if I don't get the seeds from the other source at least I know that you have some!

Thanks, again! Jan

Forevereden ~ not invasive here... but you have to know the cats will control it! LOL If you don't have cats, you will have visitors.

Hi.....has anyone tried to make tea out of the catnip? Ive heard its good for sleeping. I'd like to try my hand at raising some.

I've heard the same, but I don't like the musky scent of crushed catnip well enough to try making tea from it... but if I were having trouble with insomnia, I'm sure I'd try it!

If you'd like a packet of seed, nannie, just Dmail me with your address. The little seeds seem to travel fine in a regular envelope, and I've got some extra postage in the "kitty." :-)

I use catnip in tea. I use it for its relaxing properties, on its own it doesn't have much flavor.

My favorite blend is Lemon balm, peppermint and catnip.

This message was edited May 16, 2008 9:18 PM

My 80 yr old Aunt says her mom used it too. We'll have to try it lemon balm and peppermint; it doesnt taste or smell too appetizing on it's own.

LOL... yeah, that skunky scent has pretty well put me off the idea of using it for tea! If I start having trouble with insomnia, though, I'll try it... when you can't sleep, you'll try anything! :-)

I also grow lemon catnip, which is quite yummy.

Wow I've not heard of lemon catnip. Do cats like it? Do you know the cultivar?

That does sound yummy! I can't imagine cats liking anything lemony... but I think I would! Does it come true from seed (and if so will you please save some for swapping on the forum)?

My cat LOVES fresh catnip (the wild stuff). I go an pick a bouquet for him all the time. Hasnt' show so much interest in the ornamental stuff though, thank goodness!

But both my dogs and cats like lemongrass!

This message was edited May 17, 2008 8:56 PM

Cats haven't bothered the lemon catnip yet. Now, I don't know if that is because they don't like it or because there is so much regular catnip that they don't have to bother with any high brow lemon catnip! Podster and Critter, I have just enough seeds from last year to send you each some. Send me a self-addressed stamped envelope and it is yours. It is Nepeta catara citriodora 'Lemony'.

thanks, Betty! Would you like some basil seeds in return? I've got a fabulous from-Italy variety that is my very favorite for pesto and several other varieties... I can send you a list at the end of the week when I'm back home. I've got other seeds too, but figured you might be most interested in the basils. :-)

I've tried growing catnip for years, with the predictable result every time, no matter whether it was grown from seed OR transplanted...
It was always destroyed by either my cats, or stray cats, who rolled in it until it was crushed and broken!
I finally found a fool proof way to grow catnip, catmint/calamint, and lemon catnip.. I grow it in hanging baskets.
End of problems, I now have enough for both my cats and myself:)

I recall a thread where someone had planted it in a pot and put the pot in a bird cage. It was VERY pretty, and the cats couldn't destroy it.

I took a cutting to my SIL and her cat went crazy, but my cat turned her nose up and walked away.

Do some cats not like it?

And I thought you planted catnip to keep cats OUT of your garden!

Hello ALL!!! I've got seeds for the catnip...it's been interesting to read this thread. Thanks for the great idea re: keep the plant 'safe---grow in hanging baskets :)

Have a Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone-
Jan

Can I send you a sase for some?

Nanniepb, my cats go crazy and put lampshades on their heads when I give them dried catnip but look at me like I'm a crazy woman and walk away when offered fresh. Go figure...!

Bubba, Dmail me your address, and I'll get some catnip seeds out to you next week. (No sase needed... there's extra postage in the "kitty.")

Hi Cyra!

There's an annual Japanese catnip too. I grew that one year and the cats didn't like that. I got the seeds from Richter's, but don't see it in their catalog this year. Schizonepeta tenuifolia.

Schizo (Hmmmm!) nepeta... I like it. Amazing the cats didn't like that one LOL

That must be the one I heard about to plant in your flower beds to keep the cats out.

Nanniepb-my cats totally ignore catnip,but I have to protect it from a couple neighbor cats.I dry it & give it to people whose cats go for it LOL.

Hi, Podster! I have my catnips hanging on branches approx. 1 1/2- 2 in. in diameter. Two of my three cats climb our trees, including that one, but they seem to be aware that those branches will not support them. Besides, the hangers hang on bottom branches of my liquidamber tree, they like to perch on higher, more secure branches. Wish I was able to post pictures.!

I dont know if it means anything, but my cat is nursing 4 baby kitties right now.
maybe its a hormonal thing =)

Oh, heavens! I've got enough trouble with my OWN hormones, much less worrying about Kitty's!

catnip...well if i still had some that is lol. my kitties rolled and fought over it so must last year that they killed it. it didnt come back this year at all. i had a huge huge container of it growing. it seems to make my cats very agressive towards each other when they play in it they become very possesive of it and when the other cats come near the fight is on lol. these are normally very easy going sweet cats. they all look drunk after playing in it for awhile. i have gotten any more yet last time i saw it for sell it was about 5.00 for a teeny tiny pot of it about the size of one of the solo bathroom cups!

kelly

kitty drugs… just say no!

Yeah, today you can get it for $5... then they're hooked... and the price goes up... before you know it your cats are walking the streets, just looking for a hit.

Was it Blood Sweat and Tears that had the song, "G-dam the Pusher Man?" Poor kitties!! LOL

Nothing sadder than a kitty jonesing for a little nip.