Oncidium and Cats - the animal not the orchid

[josterha]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought an oncidium hybrid from my local Trader Joe's. The instant I brought it home and place it on the table, one of my cats (Keiko) immediately was sniffing the flower and rubbing against it. The next morning, my other cat, Boris, had jumped up on my orchid table and was chewing on the leaves. This was a very worrying behaviour, since they have never bothered any of my orchids before (although, they do seem to enjoy them). Then I realised that I've only had phals and paphs before.

I had to immediately move the plant to another growing area that is off-limits to them. I hope the plant survives! The flowers don't smell fragrant at all to me either, so that's all the more surprising. Has anyone else had an experience like this?

Thanks,
John

[Jenn]

I have the same issue with my evil feline. She destroyed a Bak. Silver Chalice and was working on my other NOID Onc and a NOID Den. She never bothered my Phals. It's only the orchids that have grass like leaves that she goes after. I ended up giving the Dens and Oncs a hair cut and stuck them in my room on my new plant stand. Everything has recovered and is either in bloom or putting out new growth. So, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just keep the plants and the felines separate if possible!

[Dorothy]

John you are not alone - here is a past thread describing your scenerio - Check out the links to more threads in this - http://www.orchidboard.com/community...s-chewing.html

Just some fun reading as you wait for others to response -

[addictedcountryman]

only my iguana sneaky guy- i've come home to houseplants (nontoxic, of course) that look like they have been mowed over and pulled out of the pot. The other night, I was making cilantro lime rice, and i turned around to the chopped cilantro and my iggy had jumped up onto the counter and started to eat it! needless to say, it was only lime rice.

[Dorothy]

Iguana!
and I thought cats were innocently sneaky