Lisa, I've been using pine shavings for small animal cages in the garden and it looks like the same thing. Strawchicago says Kordes roses like pine bark shavings mixed in the hole. There are no nutrients, but the pH is 4, so should bring the pH down a bit if it is too alkaline, besides keeping it from compacting. It's too soon to tell if it has had any effect on my roses. They haven't died. :) Straw specifically said she gets her pine bark shavings at Walmart in a 'huge' bag for $6.84, enough for 10 holes. Since there's nothing artificial in your kitty litter, I don't see how it could hurt. I won't use it on my French roses since they like the soil more alkaline than most.

I'm sorry to hear of Sebastian's problems. That's so worrisome. Could it be the heat? Daisy is miserable and has been throwing up. I'm sure it's the heat in her case. How is your new baby Millicent doing?

An afterthought - I bet you could find lots of info on the Organic Rose forum or possibly in the Soil forum.

Good idea, flowers! I'll take a peak over there. These are little rolled up pellets, like little cylinder shapes. I too, remember Straw saying that the Romanticas like the alkaline soil, so I won't give it to Bolero, Princess Charlene de Monaco, Yves Piaget and any other French roses, I might have. I'll have to check which ones fall under this category. I have some young Kordes roses that I recently "accidentally acquired", so this is good info.

Yes, Sebastian has been sick for a few weeks. Weight loss, on and off vomiting, on an off diarrhea, loss of appetite. Generally not himself. Tests so far come back fine. The next step will be scanning for tumors:( Millie is doing very well, growing like a weed. She gets some sort of intranasal treatment that helps her respiratory problems. I have a nagging feeling that Sebastian may be jealous, and this could be at least part of the problem. I've been extra careful to give Sabby extra love, and only give Millie big shows of affection when Sebastian isn't aware. I don't know..... difficult. Lisa Edited to add: They are indoors with AC on 24/7, except for a little romp outside early or late when it's cooler out. I don't think it's the heat. L

An interesting discussion! I don't see any reason why you couldn't use scoops of the litter well mixed with soil and other amendments as long as your roses or other plants are okay with the pH and the chemistry of pine. I'd also Google "pine wood chips garden" and "pine wood chips roses" and see what comes up. Now, I'm curious. Maybe I'll Google just to see....

:-) Carol

Lisa, I meant to add that I hope Sebastian's tumor tests are negative and his health issue is resolved soon! Please keep us updated. Carol

I use all types of pine bark in the garden: extra fine shavings (sold as horse/animal bedding at the feed store in big 3' compressed bales), shredded pine bark mulch, and yes, fine pine in the pelleted form. I use them interchangeably as mulches and also mix in at the bottom of the planting hole -- I have rather alkaline clay. The extra fine & pellets are an excellent mulch, they last about 9 months and really help build soil structure. I suppose some might worry that they tie up nitrogen in the soil, but that is temporary, and as soon as they are decomposed, it is all given back with the positive additions of the decomposition process. If you are worried about the nitrogen, or if you see some yellowing leaves, you can sprinkle some extra mild fertilizer with a high nitrogen number, like a 6-2-2, on or spread with the pine. Me, I wait for the soil microbes to work their magic.

Sunny

I hope Sebastian feels better. Keep her hydrated as I'm sure you do.

Thank you everyone. Rosemi, I think I will use it as mulch for now, as it is just taking up space and it's just too hot for planting roses right now. I mean WAY too hot. Maybe I'll save a little for a rose hole that likes acid. We are accustomed to dry heat, but we had a week of high humidity with high temperatures. I don't know how people tolerate that! Sweat and shower, sweat and shower, I feel so gross! Then one day my phone kept going off with alerts about flash floods and thunderstorms. I dragged every potted plant out into the open and every houseplant outside, with a swollen and sore arm. Not a drop of rain fell! I mad a big mess and effort for nothing. Ok, done with that little rant, but really I don't know how some of you live with that humidity.

Sebastian is still doing the same. I'm sick with worry over my baby. He's been with me almost 10 years now. His blood tests did come out perfectly fine, so it's puzzling. He is a very sensitive guy, and often shows signs of distress when I'm unwell, or if he is jealous about his momma loving another kitty. We do have both of those situations going on here at the same time. We will soon find out. Thanks for all your kind words. Lisa

Lisa, I trust it is just his sensitivity to you and MIllie that is causing this. We had another cat stay with us for a couple years and my Daisy took forever to get accustomed to it, even with lots of extra cuddling and attention. She started acting like a dying cat - hiding in odd places to be alone. The other cat was much younger and more playful. Daisy did not appreciate being jumped on and taunted into a chase. They never became pals, but Daisy eventually tolerated the terrorizing kitty and I would occasionally find them napping together. I hope Sebastian is just acting out and in good health. Cats are such interesting little people!

Flowers, that's exactly what he's doing! He wants to go into the garage all the time, and its much too hot in there. There is a litter box in there that Millie doesn't use, so I know he prefers that one. Oddly, my master bathroom has a door opening to the garage. After Sebastian and I go to bed at night(without the other two cats, and the bedroom door closed), he stands at the door in the bathroom to the garage whining like he needs to go potty. I let him in the garage, and only rarely does he visit the litter box. He finds some place odd and beds down to sleep. I bring him back to bed and we start the whole thing over again an hour or so later. I feel so bad for him. Lisa

Since his kidneys have been checked out, he might just want to be alone in a place that has only his scent, especially if he smells the other kitties' scent on you or in the room. Complicated little creatures that do not take to change. I surely do understand how worried sick you are.

Hi Lisa, have you heard of Feliway? It comes in a diffuser form or a spray, it mimics natural cat pheromones that make them feel happy and secure. I've used it on my furball who's easily stressed when we moved and it seemed to have helped. You might want to use it in your bedroom so Seb feels like it's his own happy, calm and special place.

Thank you, jabubaoski. I have heard of it, but had forgotten all about it. I'll be sure to check into it for Sebastian. Now my SUV is in the shop, having major repairs done, so all is at a standstill. When it rains it pours! Lisa