Kitty Litter Question

[Wayne]

I've noticed that some of you use kitty litter (descented kind?) for pond
planting. Does the kitty liter absorb the water and stay settled in the pot
or does it try to float away like some of the dry potting soils that I have
tried? Any suggestions is appreciated.

[Ka30P]

When you use plain, unscented kitty litter...
rinse it really, really, really well. Lots of rinsing.

I used black, rigid mesh pots so the rinsing was easy, the water just flowed
out the sides.
I topped the litter with larger stones. This kept the fish from picking it up
and spitting it out all over the pond.

The advantage of kitty litter is that it is easy to push in fertilizer tabs and
it stays nice and loose when it comes time to divide the plants.

hth!

kathy :-)
<A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

[Ka30P]

When you use plain, unscented kitty litter...
rinse it really, really, really well. Lots of rinsing.

I used black, rigid mesh pots so the rinsing was easy, the water just flowed
out the sides.
I topped the litter with larger stones. This kept the fish from picking it up
and spitting it out all over the pond.

The advantage of kitty litter is that it is easy to push in fertilizer tabs and
it stays nice and loose when it comes time to divide the plants.

hth!

kathy :-)
<A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

[Wayne]

"Ka30P" > wrote in message
...
>
> When you use plain, unscented kitty litter...
> rinse it really, really, really well. Lots of rinsing.
>
> I used black, rigid mesh pots so the rinsing was easy, the water just
flowed
> out the sides.
> I topped the litter with larger stones. This kept the fish from picking it
up
> and spitting it out all over the pond.
>
> The advantage of kitty litter is that it is easy to push in fertilizer
tabs and
> it stays nice and loose when it comes time to divide the plants.
>
> hth!
>
> kathy :-)
> <A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

Thanks for your reply. I was in Wal-Mart today and bought a 25 pound bag of
"Special Kitty" cat litter. It is "no scent" and made from 100% ground
clay. I think that this is what I'm looking for and it shouldn't require
rinsing (?). It was only $1.97 for 25 pounds whereas the Schultz Aquatic
Soil that I've been buying from Loew's is $6.93 for 10 pounds. Quite a
difference in price if it works. Has anyone else tried this particular cat
litter before and had any problems with it? Thanks!

[Wayne]

"Ka30P" > wrote in message
...
>
> When you use plain, unscented kitty litter...
> rinse it really, really, really well. Lots of rinsing.
>
> I used black, rigid mesh pots so the rinsing was easy, the water just
flowed
> out the sides.
> I topped the litter with larger stones. This kept the fish from picking it
up
> and spitting it out all over the pond.
>
> The advantage of kitty litter is that it is easy to push in fertilizer
tabs and
> it stays nice and loose when it comes time to divide the plants.
>
> hth!
>
> kathy :-)
> <A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

Thanks for your reply. I was in Wal-Mart today and bought a 25 pound bag of
"Special Kitty" cat litter. It is "no scent" and made from 100% ground
clay. I think that this is what I'm looking for and it shouldn't require
rinsing (?). It was only $1.97 for 25 pounds whereas the Schultz Aquatic
Soil that I've been buying from Loew's is $6.93 for 10 pounds. Quite a
difference in price if it works. Has anyone else tried this particular cat
litter before and had any problems with it? Thanks!

[KCnRichmond]

Thanks for your reply. I was in Wal-Mart today and bought a 25 pound bag
of
> "Special Kitty" cat litter. It is "no scent" and made from 100% ground
> clay. I think that this is what I'm looking for and it shouldn't require
> rinsing (?). It was only $1.97 for 25 pounds whereas the Schultz Aquatic
> Soil that I've been buying from Loew's is $6.93 for 10 pounds. Quite a
> difference in price if it works. Has anyone else tried this particular
cat
> litter before and had any problems with it? Thanks!
>
>

Food Lion used to have "Black Kat" unscented, non-clumping, $1.87 for 20#...
I think the water garden industry got in on it, cause they stopped selling
it...lol. Best stuff I ever used with small rock on top like k30p
said....Mostly I use this for lilies..I put marginals in just plain pea
gravel...When planting Hostas, Daylilies, Silver Liriope, Phlox,and whatever
else I want on my plant shelf, I put the deco rock on top of the soil, right
in the landscape pot it comes in and soak it good, then submerge in the pond
about 1/2" over the top of the pot...Those type of plantings work great
until everything else starts getting established, getting a jump on the ol'
pea soup. What the heck, its a garden right? The fish love to, uh, "play
tag" up in the foliage...

[KCnRichmond]

Thanks for your reply. I was in Wal-Mart today and bought a 25 pound bag
of
> "Special Kitty" cat litter. It is "no scent" and made from 100% ground
> clay. I think that this is what I'm looking for and it shouldn't require
> rinsing (?). It was only $1.97 for 25 pounds whereas the Schultz Aquatic
> Soil that I've been buying from Loew's is $6.93 for 10 pounds. Quite a
> difference in price if it works. Has anyone else tried this particular
cat
> litter before and had any problems with it? Thanks!
>
>

Food Lion used to have "Black Kat" unscented, non-clumping, $1.87 for 20#...
I think the water garden industry got in on it, cause they stopped selling
it...lol. Best stuff I ever used with small rock on top like k30p
said....Mostly I use this for lilies..I put marginals in just plain pea
gravel...When planting Hostas, Daylilies, Silver Liriope, Phlox,and whatever
else I want on my plant shelf, I put the deco rock on top of the soil, right
in the landscape pot it comes in and soak it good, then submerge in the pond
about 1/2" over the top of the pot...Those type of plantings work great
until everything else starts getting established, getting a jump on the ol'
pea soup. What the heck, its a garden right? The fish love to, uh, "play
tag" up in the foliage...

[Wayne]

"KCnRichmond" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for your reply. I was in Wal-Mart today and bought a 25 pound bag
> of
> > "Special Kitty" cat litter. It is "no scent" and made from 100% ground
> > clay. I think that this is what I'm looking for and it shouldn't
require
> > rinsing (?). It was only $1.97 for 25 pounds whereas the Schultz
Aquatic
> > Soil that I've been buying from Loew's is $6.93 for 10 pounds. Quite a
> > difference in price if it works. Has anyone else tried this particular
> cat
> > litter before and had any problems with it? Thanks!
> >
> >
>
> Food Lion used to have "Black Kat" unscented, non-clumping, $1.87 for
20#...
> I think the water garden industry got in on it, cause they stopped selling
> it...lol. Best stuff I ever used with small rock on top like k30p
> said....Mostly I use this for lilies..I put marginals in just plain pea
> gravel...When planting Hostas, Daylilies, Silver Liriope, Phlox,and
whatever
> else I want on my plant shelf, I put the deco rock on top of the soil,
right
> in the landscape pot it comes in and soak it good, then submerge in the
pond
> about 1/2" over the top of the pot...Those type of plantings work great
> until everything else starts getting established, getting a jump on the
ol'
> pea soup. What the heck, its a garden right? The fish love to, uh, "play
> tag" up in the foliage...

I tried the Special Kitty cat litter last night on a re-potting of some
Pickerel Rush. I'm impressed so far. It worked very good. I'm just
waiting on some water hyacinths and water lettuce to come in at Home Depot
or Lowe's. Other than that, I have more than enough potted plants from last
year. They just keep multiplying and I keep re-potting. My water is still
clear... knock on wood. Good luck!

[Wayne]

"KCnRichmond" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for your reply. I was in Wal-Mart today and bought a 25 pound bag
> of
> > "Special Kitty" cat litter. It is "no scent" and made from 100% ground
> > clay. I think that this is what I'm looking for and it shouldn't
require
> > rinsing (?). It was only $1.97 for 25 pounds whereas the Schultz
Aquatic
> > Soil that I've been buying from Loew's is $6.93 for 10 pounds. Quite a
> > difference in price if it works. Has anyone else tried this particular
> cat
> > litter before and had any problems with it? Thanks!
> >
> >
>
> Food Lion used to have "Black Kat" unscented, non-clumping, $1.87 for
20#...
> I think the water garden industry got in on it, cause they stopped selling
> it...lol. Best stuff I ever used with small rock on top like k30p
> said....Mostly I use this for lilies..I put marginals in just plain pea
> gravel...When planting Hostas, Daylilies, Silver Liriope, Phlox,and
whatever
> else I want on my plant shelf, I put the deco rock on top of the soil,
right
> in the landscape pot it comes in and soak it good, then submerge in the
pond
> about 1/2" over the top of the pot...Those type of plantings work great
> until everything else starts getting established, getting a jump on the
ol'
> pea soup. What the heck, its a garden right? The fish love to, uh, "play
> tag" up in the foliage...

I tried the Special Kitty cat litter last night on a re-potting of some
Pickerel Rush. I'm impressed so far. It worked very good. I'm just
waiting on some water hyacinths and water lettuce to come in at Home Depot
or Lowe's. Other than that, I have more than enough potted plants from last
year. They just keep multiplying and I keep re-potting. My water is still
clear... knock on wood. Good luck!

[RED1102]

Can the kitty litter be used for all pond plants? All I've every used is soil
from a pond place and the pots weigh a ton when you are trying to take them out
to seperate. It would make things so much easier.
If it's covered with stone it won't float to the surface?
Thanks for any advice.
Carole

[RED1102]

Can the kitty litter be used for all pond plants? All I've every used is soil
from a pond place and the pots weigh a ton when you are trying to take them out
to seperate. It would make things so much easier.
If it's covered with stone it won't float to the surface?
Thanks for any advice.
Carole

[Wayne]

"RED1102" > wrote in message
...
> Can the kitty litter be used for all pond plants? All I've every used is
soil
> from a pond place and the pots weigh a ton when you are trying to take
them out
> to seperate. It would make things so much easier.
> If it's covered with stone it won't float to the surface?
> Thanks for any advice.
> Carole

I am using the "Special Kitty" litter for all of my plants. The way that I
did mine yesterday and the day before was:

If the container had a big hole or holes in it, I covered the hole with a
doubled up paper towel to allow the water to come in but to block my rocks
and liter from getting out, at least until the roots can find the hole and
fill it. Then I lined the bottom with rocks for weight. Then I put my
kitty liter up to the depth that I wanted the base of my plant in the
container. After placing the plants in my container, I then filled it with
litter up to within1/2 - 3/4 inch from the top. Then I slowly wet the
litter down with a hose until the water runs out the bottom of the
container. When I lower the container in the pond, none of the litter comes
out the top. Once watered down, it really becomes something that resembles
a paste, much like packed sand with water in it at the ocean. I don't have
any rocks on top of the litter and it is doing great so far. I swear that I
can already see extended growth on my lillies and pickerel rush. I'll add
some fertilizer pellets, one per pot, shortly. Now, having said all of
this, I don't consider myself an expert but this method works for me. I'm
sure that others have their own private ways too. Good luck!

[Wayne]

"RED1102" > wrote in message
...
> Can the kitty litter be used for all pond plants? All I've every used is
soil
> from a pond place and the pots weigh a ton when you are trying to take
them out
> to seperate. It would make things so much easier.
> If it's covered with stone it won't float to the surface?
> Thanks for any advice.
> Carole

I am using the "Special Kitty" litter for all of my plants. The way that I
did mine yesterday and the day before was:

If the container had a big hole or holes in it, I covered the hole with a
doubled up paper towel to allow the water to come in but to block my rocks
and liter from getting out, at least until the roots can find the hole and
fill it. Then I lined the bottom with rocks for weight. Then I put my
kitty liter up to the depth that I wanted the base of my plant in the
container. After placing the plants in my container, I then filled it with
litter up to within1/2 - 3/4 inch from the top. Then I slowly wet the
litter down with a hose until the water runs out the bottom of the
container. When I lower the container in the pond, none of the litter comes
out the top. Once watered down, it really becomes something that resembles
a paste, much like packed sand with water in it at the ocean. I don't have
any rocks on top of the litter and it is doing great so far. I swear that I
can already see extended growth on my lillies and pickerel rush. I'll add
some fertilizer pellets, one per pot, shortly. Now, having said all of
this, I don't consider myself an expert but this method works for me. I'm
sure that others have their own private ways too. Good luck!

[k conover]

If it's like a paste, will it allow the roots to grow, you think?
Kirsten
"Wayne" > wrote in message
m...
>
> "RED1102" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Can the kitty litter be used for all pond plants? All I've every used is
> soil
> > from a pond place and the pots weigh a ton when you are trying to take
> them out
> > to seperate. It would make things so much easier.
> > If it's covered with stone it won't float to the surface?
> > Thanks for any advice.
> > Carole
>
> I am using the "Special Kitty" litter for all of my plants. The way that
I
> did mine yesterday and the day before was:
>
> If the container had a big hole or holes in it, I covered the hole with a
> doubled up paper towel to allow the water to come in but to block my rocks
> and liter from getting out, at least until the roots can find the hole and
> fill it. Then I lined the bottom with rocks for weight. Then I put my
> kitty liter up to the depth that I wanted the base of my plant in the
> container. After placing the plants in my container, I then filled it
with
> litter up to within1/2 - 3/4 inch from the top. Then I slowly wet the
> litter down with a hose until the water runs out the bottom of the
> container. When I lower the container in the pond, none of the litter
comes
> out the top. Once watered down, it really becomes something that
resembles
> a paste, much like packed sand with water in it at the ocean. I don't
have
> any rocks on top of the litter and it is doing great so far. I swear that
I
> can already see extended growth on my lillies and pickerel rush. I'll add
> some fertilizer pellets, one per pot, shortly. Now, having said all of
> this, I don't consider myself an expert but this method works for me. I'm
> sure that others have their own private ways too. Good luck!
>
>

[k conover]

If it's like a paste, will it allow the roots to grow, you think?
Kirsten
"Wayne" > wrote in message
m...
>
> "RED1102" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Can the kitty litter be used for all pond plants? All I've every used is
> soil
> > from a pond place and the pots weigh a ton when you are trying to take
> them out
> > to seperate. It would make things so much easier.
> > If it's covered with stone it won't float to the surface?
> > Thanks for any advice.
> > Carole
>
> I am using the "Special Kitty" litter for all of my plants. The way that
I
> did mine yesterday and the day before was:
>
> If the container had a big hole or holes in it, I covered the hole with a
> doubled up paper towel to allow the water to come in but to block my rocks
> and liter from getting out, at least until the roots can find the hole and
> fill it. Then I lined the bottom with rocks for weight. Then I put my
> kitty liter up to the depth that I wanted the base of my plant in the
> container. After placing the plants in my container, I then filled it
with
> litter up to within1/2 - 3/4 inch from the top. Then I slowly wet the
> litter down with a hose until the water runs out the bottom of the
> container. When I lower the container in the pond, none of the litter
comes
> out the top. Once watered down, it really becomes something that
resembles
> a paste, much like packed sand with water in it at the ocean. I don't
have
> any rocks on top of the litter and it is doing great so far. I swear that
I
> can already see extended growth on my lillies and pickerel rush. I'll add
> some fertilizer pellets, one per pot, shortly. Now, having said all of
> this, I don't consider myself an expert but this method works for me. I'm
> sure that others have their own private ways too. Good luck!
>
>

[Ka30P]

Kirsten wrote << If it's like a paste, will it allow the roots to grow, you
think? >>

When I used kitty litter it stayed 'put'. Didn't turn to paste and was loose
the following season.


kathy :-)
<A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

[Ka30P]

Kirsten wrote << If it's like a paste, will it allow the roots to grow, you
think? >>

When I used kitty litter it stayed 'put'. Didn't turn to paste and was loose
the following season.


kathy :-)
<A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

[Wayne]

I used the term paste because that's what it resembled when wet and settled.
It is 100% ground clay and clay is great for potting plants in a pond. You
can stick your finger down through it easily, like when you're adding
fertilizer spikes.

"k conover" > wrote in message
...
> If it's like a paste, will it allow the roots to grow, you think?
> Kirsten
> "Wayne" > wrote in message
> m...
> >
> > "RED1102" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Can the kitty litter be used for all pond plants? All I've every used
is
> > soil
> > > from a pond place and the pots weigh a ton when you are trying to take
> > them out
> > > to seperate. It would make things so much easier.
> > > If it's covered with stone it won't float to the surface?
> > > Thanks for any advice.
> > > Carole
> >
> > I am using the "Special Kitty" litter for all of my plants. The way
that
> I
> > did mine yesterday and the day before was:
> >
> > If the container had a big hole or holes in it, I covered the hole with
a
> > doubled up paper towel to allow the water to come in but to block my
rocks
> > and liter from getting out, at least until the roots can find the hole
and
> > fill it. Then I lined the bottom with rocks for weight. Then I put my
> > kitty liter up to the depth that I wanted the base of my plant in the
> > container. After placing the plants in my container, I then filled it
> with
> > litter up to within1/2 - 3/4 inch from the top. Then I slowly wet the
> > litter down with a hose until the water runs out the bottom of the
> > container. When I lower the container in the pond, none of the litter
> comes
> > out the top. Once watered down, it really becomes something that
> resembles
> > a paste, much like packed sand with water in it at the ocean. I don't
> have
> > any rocks on top of the litter and it is doing great so far. I swear
that
> I
> > can already see extended growth on my lillies and pickerel rush. I'll
add
> > some fertilizer pellets, one per pot, shortly. Now, having said all of
> > this, I don't consider myself an expert but this method works for me.
I'm
> > sure that others have their own private ways too. Good luck!
> >
> >
>
>

[Wayne]

I used the term paste because that's what it resembled when wet and settled.
It is 100% ground clay and clay is great for potting plants in a pond. You
can stick your finger down through it easily, like when you're adding
fertilizer spikes.

"k conover" > wrote in message
...
> If it's like a paste, will it allow the roots to grow, you think?
> Kirsten
> "Wayne" > wrote in message
> m...
> >
> > "RED1102" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Can the kitty litter be used for all pond plants? All I've every used
is
> > soil
> > > from a pond place and the pots weigh a ton when you are trying to take
> > them out
> > > to seperate. It would make things so much easier.
> > > If it's covered with stone it won't float to the surface?
> > > Thanks for any advice.
> > > Carole
> >
> > I am using the "Special Kitty" litter for all of my plants. The way
that
> I
> > did mine yesterday and the day before was:
> >
> > If the container had a big hole or holes in it, I covered the hole with
a
> > doubled up paper towel to allow the water to come in but to block my
rocks
> > and liter from getting out, at least until the roots can find the hole
and
> > fill it. Then I lined the bottom with rocks for weight. Then I put my
> > kitty liter up to the depth that I wanted the base of my plant in the
> > container. After placing the plants in my container, I then filled it
> with
> > litter up to within1/2 - 3/4 inch from the top. Then I slowly wet the
> > litter down with a hose until the water runs out the bottom of the
> > container. When I lower the container in the pond, none of the litter
> comes
> > out the top. Once watered down, it really becomes something that
> resembles
> > a paste, much like packed sand with water in it at the ocean. I don't
> have
> > any rocks on top of the litter and it is doing great so far. I swear
that
> I
> > can already see extended growth on my lillies and pickerel rush. I'll
add
> > some fertilizer pellets, one per pot, shortly. Now, having said all of
> > this, I don't consider myself an expert but this method works for me.
I'm
> > sure that others have their own private ways too. Good luck!
> >
> >
>
>

[RED1102]

thnaks for al the info, I'll have to give it a try this season.
Do you think you could just put the plants in stones to grow??

[RED1102]

thnaks for al the info, I'll have to give it a try this season.
Do you think you could just put the plants in stones to grow??

[Wayne]

I've read here where some people plant specific plants in stones but I don't
know which ones. In the stones, your plants will have to get their
nutrients from the water because I would think that it would be difficult
pushing the fertilizer pellets down into the stones. This is my first time
using the 100% ground clay kittly litter in my pots but so far, the plants
are definitely growing in it. My pickerel rush has added at least 2-3
inches of stem growth since I repotted them earlier in the week. My water
lilies are growing about the same. I'm in Zone 7a, Charlotte, NC area.
My water is extremely clear too, knock on wood! Good luck!

"RED1102" > wrote in message
...
> thnaks for al the info, I'll have to give it a try this season.
> Do you think you could just put the plants in stones to grow??

[Wayne]

I've read here where some people plant specific plants in stones but I don't
know which ones. In the stones, your plants will have to get their
nutrients from the water because I would think that it would be difficult
pushing the fertilizer pellets down into the stones. This is my first time
using the 100% ground clay kittly litter in my pots but so far, the plants
are definitely growing in it. My pickerel rush has added at least 2-3
inches of stem growth since I repotted them earlier in the week. My water
lilies are growing about the same. I'm in Zone 7a, Charlotte, NC area.
My water is extremely clear too, knock on wood! Good luck!

"RED1102" > wrote in message
...
> thnaks for al the info, I'll have to give it a try this season.
> Do you think you could just put the plants in stones to grow??

[Ka30P]

<< "RED1102" wrote
> Do you think you could just put the plants in stones to grow?? >>

The problem comes when it is time to divide.
Especially if you wait too long, like me.
Pond plants can grow an amazing amount and fill a basket completely full of
roots and those roots can be touch as nails to pull apart. On some plants I
have taken a serrated knife to divide them. Sawing through pebbles and rocks is
dang hard!







kathy :-)
<A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

[Ka30P]

<< "RED1102" wrote
> Do you think you could just put the plants in stones to grow?? >>

The problem comes when it is time to divide.
Especially if you wait too long, like me.
Pond plants can grow an amazing amount and fill a basket completely full of
roots and those roots can be touch as nails to pull apart. On some plants I
have taken a serrated knife to divide them. Sawing through pebbles and rocks is
dang hard!







kathy :-)
<A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/">Once upon a pond</A>

[Wayne]

"Ka30P" > wrote in message
...
> << "RED1102" wrote
> > Do you think you could just put the plants in stones to grow?? >>
>
> The problem comes when it is time to divide.
> Especially if you wait too long, like me.
> Pond plants can grow an amazing amount and fill a basket completely full
of
> roots and those roots can be touch as nails to pull apart. On some plants
I
> have taken a serrated knife to divide them. Sawing through pebbles and
rocks is
> dang hard!
>

I agree. The main reason that I put some rocks in the bottom of my pots is
to give them extra weight and stability from the wind, particularly with the
taller plants. I'm new at this game, compared to many of you, but I learn
quick <g>.

[Wayne]

"Ka30P" > wrote in message
...
> << "RED1102" wrote
> > Do you think you could just put the plants in stones to grow?? >>
>
> The problem comes when it is time to divide.
> Especially if you wait too long, like me.
> Pond plants can grow an amazing amount and fill a basket completely full
of
> roots and those roots can be touch as nails to pull apart. On some plants
I
> have taken a serrated knife to divide them. Sawing through pebbles and
rocks is
> dang hard!
>

I agree. The main reason that I put some rocks in the bottom of my pots is
to give them extra weight and stability from the wind, particularly with the
taller plants. I'm new at this game, compared to many of you, but I learn
quick <g>.

[Happy'Cam'per]

Hello Porgers :)

Yesterday I went through the links that some of you have in your sigs and I
must say that there are some really fantastic ponds. You all deserve a pat
on the back. Hope your Summer goes well for you and your ponds :o
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**

[Happy'Cam'per]

Hello Porgers :)

Yesterday I went through the links that some of you have in your sigs and I
must say that there are some really fantastic ponds. You all deserve a pat
on the back. Hope your Summer goes well for you and your ponds :o
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**