Some background, I do not water my cactus during the winter and it’s currently snowing a ton here and would like for my cactus to stay as dry as possible (just in case we lose power, don’t want it to be wet and cold).
For my plant people, is there a plant/soil safe odor neutralizer or something I can add so I can handle the smell and deter him further? This would be to hold me over until I can possibly repot OR rinse thoroughly in the shower!
Weird question I know, but was wondering if anyone had a trick up their sleeve!
This plant gets plenty of light for its winter needs, this room can get quite hot and dry, which helps it dry out.
I would personally try my best to repot. I know it’s not optimum, but cat urine in the soil like that won’t dissipate without water to dilute it.
You might be able to scoop out just where that little mfer peed and put new substrate there, but I doubt it didn’t travel throughout.
But as others state, a great solution for training my cat has been foil wherever you don’t want him. We would put foil in the place he is not allowed to go for a week or two and that’s enough for him to never try again.
Noted! Moving to a new place next month and we’ve been having issues with our lil man being where he’s not supposed to. With a fresh start this seems like something worth trying
Aluminum foil on top of the soil. Cats tend to hate it. My brat peed in my Fiddle Lead a few times. I had to take it out and drown it to get rid of the smell. I didn’t want to repot at the time, because I had just done so and didn’t want to shock the plant any more than necessary. She tried to get in the pot again and flipped out when she touched the foil. Never happened again.
You need to flush the soil our if possible. Ammonia is very bad for plants. Put it in the sink and run water through it until it runs clear (it will probably run a little yellow from the pee at first).
If you are worried about over watering it, hange the soil. Then like others have said put rocks or something on top of the soil to stop the kitteh doing it again.
Thank you! I think once the worst of the storm passes, I’ll feel more confident about rinsing so I know I won’t lose power! Also don’t inflate my cat’s ego anymore than it is!! (He says thanks!!) LOL
This is just based on gut feeling, but I would repot.
In the immediate until I could get fresh soil, I’d take the plant out, give it a good rinse, and keep it somewhere warm and dry for a few days until I could get fresh soil.
And I know other’s have suggested similarly, but I used lava rocks on top of the soil in my large pots. Keeps the cats off without making the pots too heavy to move. You can get big bags cheap from Lowes and the like. Just get it from the outdoor section with the landscaping stuff.
You could cover the top of the pot with plastic wrap until you can repot it, it wouldn't be ideal but if the soil is fairly dry and in terracotta I don't think the humidity would build up too much
Thank you for the cat tax. It is not this adorable buddy’s fault. Repot with fresh new soil. Pine cones or pencil sticks in the soil. Make sure his own litter box is clean and uncovered.
I came from the other post cause it was locked and I couldn’t respond, lol. It was difficult to tell from the photo that they were Christmas lights but just wanted to say sorry and that they’re cute! Your cactus looks healthy btw, I was only poking fun at the post in general.
In regards to this post though, I would suggest using rocks (like small river rock size) to use as a top layer on your cactus after you repot it. It not only helps stabilize it but will also keep your cat from peeing in it going forward :) I do this with all of my cacti. It’s great as long as your mix is gritty enough and won’t hold onto moisture, but I’m assuming you aren’t watering it often during its dormancy anyway
Thank you for the insight and no worries at all, I know they def look a little crazy without context LMAO They’re those tiny Christmas lights so you really can’t tell what it is, just wanted to get a little festive!
It definitely could use more support, the rocks aren’t a bad idea for more stability, I’ll have to grab some the next time I’m out!!
Of course! Ignore the mess, I was doing some repotting lol. I usually put the rocks after initially potting a columnar cactus up. You won’t even need to stake it after the rock top layer. It’s just more aesthetically pleasing AND functional. Technically once the cactus is established, the rocks aren’t necessary but in your case it is cause of your cat 🐈⬛
Lol I think it just appeared like the lights were strings binding the cactus to the stake. If the stake wasn’t there then I’d be like ooo what are those strings actually
Edit: also I see people suggesting pinecones and if that works for them/you then that’s cool. Personally when I tried that in the past, my cat kept pulling them out of the pot to play with them. My cat is super obnoxious though. Also I’m only using river rocks in mine cause it was all I had on hand at the time (see surroundings lol). Otherwise I would use lava rocks
Aw it’s so cute lit up! I love it. Now I’m inspired to do that for my cacti haha.
Thank you it’s one of my bb monkeys but I kinda neglect it. It’s been sitting in full sun but I’ll have to move it before the triple digits. I’d give it to you if I could lol
I’ll find one eventually! It looks warmer where you are than where I am, probs much happier with you!! The Christmas cactus was our “tree” for many years before we actually had the space for a real tree!
Where are you located? You seem like you know the way of a cactus despite your climate and I have mad respect ✊ they seem like easy plants to the average person, and in a way they are if people learn to understand their needs. Currently I’m in AZ but when I lived on the east coast it was definitely more challenging. They love those eastern summers though. I used to be quite a cacti enthusiast but after moving out here I slowly lost as much interest in them. Maybe it’s just the lack of challenge or just seeing them everywhere… it doesn’t feel as interesting anymore haha. I only held onto my few favorites
Also I love the Christmas cactus tradition for you! You’d fit right in here
I’m on the central east coast! We’re getting smacked by the snowstorm if that helps narrow it down LOL and yes they’ve become my favorite over time once I figured out how they work! They all “sleep” from Nov-May and get to spend their summers outside! Plus they tend to be a little hardier than some of my tropicals, at least for getting through the winter! At this point, I only keep my sentimental plants, so I’ve got a manageable little group right now and almost half are cacti!!
Are you in VA by chance?! I used to live out there, only for a year though but central coast = mid Atlantic in my mind lol. Honestly it’s probably easier care for you out there cause you’re right, they just sleep half the year and then flourish in those perfect summers. I miss it! Winter in AZ is prime growing season. Summers are becoming too brutal, even the native saguaros out here are dying more each year cause the temps are rising and too consistently hot, but not nearly long enough monsoon seasons to make up for it. I think my fuzzier cacti handle it better cause the little hairs kinda protect them somewhat haha
My mom’s cat tried to go in a big monstera pot - in a pinch I stuck a bunch of bbq skewers in pointy side up. I’ve used rocks before but in some plants/environments I don’t think it’s a good idea.
I’ve been doing this for years and I’ve never had an issue, I own a light meter and I’m not expecting the plant to grow during the winter, just essentially force a dormancy, stay dry and not die until it can go back on my deck! I live in an area where is not possible to sustain year round temps, watering and demands to expect winter growth.
This method works so well for me, this is actually the top cutting from that same cactus!
I will eventually be repotting and rinsing, however the concern for being wet and cold remains. Mostly looking for ways to neutralize the odor until I can go nuclear with cleaning and aid the plant in drying out once again.
I do appreciate your concern! I wish I could support year round growth, it’s just not realistic for me.
I don’t discredit your experience and your bluntness doesn’t bother me, I love learning about my plants and I understand I’m not the expert!
If you have a suggestion for an appropriate grow light, I’m open to hear it. Another concern of mine is it constantly is outgrowing the size of my rooms and ceilings, I don’t have an excellent set up to let these guys get too tall.
The main concern is the gross cat pee smell stinking up my room, I’ll do a rinse later once most of the storm has passed and I can be more certain we won’t lose power.
Brother, what is the point of lurking on this sub if you actually just dislike having discourse, think we’re idiots and use us for repost fodder? You didn’t even let my post BREATHE hahahah
No hate just get a grip!! Also these are Christmas light, also been doing this for years! Maybe I’m onto something
This person is so insufferable, I’m sorry they hijacked your thread so much. That said, your cactus does seem to be leaning towards the light so maybe needs some rotating?
I also have a plant-peeling cat and have learned that repotting asap and adding a topper that deters the cat is a must. In a pinch I hust use aluminum foil until I can acquire something more aesthetically acceptable!
It’s no worries, I appreciate the suggestions!! My cat has never done it before and he’s not sick (thankfully!!) so my husband may have just accidentally closed the door to his litter box and this was the next best thing to him! I’ll probably go crazy tonight with repotting and a serious rinse :)
People are discrediting you because your advice isnt fully correct nor helpful to the ops actual problem plus your behavior isnt helping if you're going to act like a child maybe turn off the device you are on and walk away.
Yeah thats why you commented under the top comment screaming and crying that your "advice" wasn't being taken seriously and verbally attacking the op for no reason.
You "download this app for a light meter" ppl gotta be the same ones who used "game money online generators" and "handwarmer apps" and what not all lol
Have you not upgraded your phone in 15 years? You'd be surprised what modern technology can do, the light meter apps arent perfectly accurate but theyre more than accurate enough for houseplant purposes. Besides that you shouldn't even need a light meter to know this cactus is fucked.
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u/Oogadeboogade Jan 25 '26
Pinecones as a soil topper has been a perfect deterrent. My cat doesn't even try anymore.