Cinnamon or Cayenne pepper spray??
 

First, Hi everyone I'm Liz :)

So today my mother in law and I where visiting the local nursery and they had these gorgeous and funky Dendrobium type orchids that I personally had never seen before.

I bought two thinking they'd look great in our southern window (and they totally do!) however i didn't consider my cat. She wants to chew the leaves so bad. I've been reading a lot and most sites are recommending Cinnamon or a Cayenne pepper spray on the leaves.

I've read cinnamon has been used to help heal some orchids from fungus? But how would it be permanently on the leaves? or at least a month or two till the cat loses interest? Same with the cayenne pepper? I know cinnamon probably will be the first recommendation but I'm worried if that doesn't work then how about the cayenne pepper? and I'm talking directly on the leaves not in the soil.
Thanks!

Don't bother with the cinnamon, it won't do a thing to discourage the cat. The pepper spray is a better idea. There is even a product on the market called "Hot Pepper Wax" that is intended to discourage chewing insects, and I suspect it would work for the cat, too.

you might can make a thick paste of red pepper powder and a tsp of alcohol...put it in a sprayer with a tsp of dish soap and mix the water in.....the alcohol will help the powder mix with the soap and water, and the soap will help stick it to the leaves....or you could muzzle the cat....lol...actually i think all these preparations only work to make the animal sick and dont teach em a thing....if a cat likes to chew leaves, get him some cat grass and put it beside whatever it is he is chewing on....distraction instead of confrontation...

Look at your pet stores for a product called "Bitter Apple"- spray it on your plants and the cats stay well away, it tastes awful.
Has worked like a charm for me for years.

I'll also get some cat grass seed from the petstore and have a little pot of that growing near whatever plants the cats chew on- once I spray the plants with bitter apple, they chow down on the cat grass.

Welcome to OB!

I thought I should warn you that cayenne pepper does not always work. I have come across a few cats that seemed to like it.

I had this experience too- hence why I swear by Bitter Apple now- large spray bottle has lasted several years.

By the way, welcome!! I'm a 'Liz' too! Always nice to have another one in the community. ;)

Thanks so much everyone! I had my doubts about the cinnamon too.

I will look into this Bitter apple stuff and try ceyanne for now.

What about squirrels? now That I put some plants outside on the fire escape teh curious rodents come up and dig some pots...

one old cane of a dendrobium was slightly chewed. Don't they have enough food in the yard?

could I mix a bottle of cheap tabasco substitute in a quart of water and spray?

stefano

i think moth balls will deter squirrels....but they smell yucky!

I've seen stuff in stores like lowes/home depot that deters squirrels- it's near deer and other mammal pest deterrents. No idea what it is or if it works.

Go Bitter Apple!

Some Cat Deterants. (Results will vary)

Ground Black or White Pepper.
Usually very effective, just not with my freak of a cat.

Citrus.
You can get Citrus based cat deterrents or citrus smelling pot pouri around you plants to deter the cat going near.

Cat Shoo (Coleus Canina)
Used in gardens to deter invading cats, not sure if it can be potted up well as a house plants though.

Water Pistol.
Yes that old kids toy is a great training aid for cats. Just a small little hand held (not one of the soakers!) should do fine. If the cat goes near the plant you don't want it to, or start knawing at the plants just give it a quick spray and it will learn not to do that.
Just be sure not to spray it near the electrical items and such in your home. And if your cat is of the nervous variety, don't surprised if it bolts! You have been warned.

Use Sound.
The cat goes near the plant, Hiss at it or make a loud Clap. Basically telling the Cat that that's your plant, your territory and the cat should not go near, so to speak.
When Moggy moves away change you tone to that of more encouragement.