After you’ve done it, simply leave the plant out in the sun. Dried catnip is the classic form of this feline-pleasing treat. For example, tea made from the leaves and flowers of Nepeta cataria is said to relieve coug… So, there are several ways of drying catnip, but we’ll start with drying catnip in the oven. Catnip grows to a height of three or four feet and has featherlike, light green foliage and small clusters of lavender flowers that grow on spikes. Please note that some cats will nibble on the actual live plant. The sun drying is a completely natural method but, as we mentioned before, the quality of the dried catnip sometimes isn’t on par with the other methods. For that, the soil needs to hold enough water over time. How To Dry Catnip. Catnip’s been dried way before the electric oven was invented. It's also a useful training aid; for example, some dried nip on a scratching post attracts cats to this appropriate scratching spot — some, like Imperial Cat Scratch'n Shapes, which even comes complete with a catnip packet. In this article, we’re going to be talking about dried catnip or better said, methods of drying catnip. My Plant got a little "haircut" yesterday! Catnip is a plant that many of us have never heard before. Secure your cut catnip with a heavy thread and leave it hanging upside down in the dark area. Drying your catnip in the microwave is as easy as a walk in the park. The leaves and flowers should then be covered with another layer of paper towel and microwaved for 1 or 2 minutes on high. Dried catnip needs to be stored in a air-tight container where weather conditions can’t influence the quality. First, you’ll need to grab a catnip, pinch the leaves and flowers of the plant. To make catnip tea, mix 2 teaspoons of dried catnip leaves or flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Excessive lights will ’kill’ the substances in catnip that are responsible for the effect on your cat. The catnip can be placed in a paper bag before being hung to catch any leaves that may fall off in the drying process. To dry, place in the oven on very low heat or hang upside down in a dry, ventilated area, away from the sun. The paper towel is excellent because it’s safe for your microwave and won’t produce unwanted effects. Depending on the temperature of your drying area, this process can take just a couple of weeks to about a month. If you go over 150 degrees Celsius, you can easily scorch your catnip thus leaving it completely useless. If you’re not in a hurry, then air drying is a. Hang the bags in a dark, dry place until the plants inside have dried completely. It may last several days, but also for several weeks. Your catnip will be completely dried, whichever method you choose, but the quality of the dried catnip depends on the catnip itself and the method you’ve used. First, you’ll need to grab a catnip, pinch the leaves and flowers of the plant. All in all, it’s a great plant for your cat’s enjoyment and can be included from time to time. Placing it upside down in a paper bag with holes punched in it will allow it to dry properly so you can then crush the catnip to a powder for use in toys and treats! Catnip can transition a gloomy, moody, and depressed cat into a bundle of excitement like a magic pill. The leaves and flowers should then be covered. Alternatively, you can use tin foil or bakery racks instead of cookie sheets. You’ll need to remove the leaves and flowers from the stems and place them on the paper towel. Boosts your cat’s mood. In fact, people used to use catnip to brew tea and soothe upset stomachs (catnip doesn’t affect people the way it affects cats). Cheesecloth (optional) 5. Use your scissors to cut the stalks of catnip, but also be sure to cut more than you need. Some cats will frolic and roll on the floor, or chase a toy. Catnip can be stored in a clean, air-tight container. Of course, before drying catnip, you first have to have a source of the fresh herb. Your catnip will be completely dried, whichever method you choose, but the quality of the dried catnip depends on the catnip itself and the method you’ve used. To dry the catnip, bunch the stalks together and tie a piece of string around the bunch. Drying fresh catnip is simple, and is a great way to ensure a steady supply for your favorite feline. Don’t worry if your house starts to smell of catnip, as this smell lasts only about half an hour. The plant is characterized with around 20-39 inches of height and its main blooming season is late spring and autumn. Rhythmdvl October 26, 2010, 1:39pm #4 Dry fresh catnip easily in just two minutes! Stems should not be cut. You should be able to make a good harvest of catnip leaves at least twice in the growing season. While this method doesn’t produce very dry catnip like other methods, cats still love it, which is very important. Cut stems in the summer at bloom time and again in the fall and you should have a good supply to take you and your cats through the winter. How to Dry Catnip. While this method doesn’t produce very dry catnip like other methods, cats still love it, which is very important. To dry catnip, cut stems from your plant and hang them in bunches in a … This method is known to be one of the easiest methods, as you’ll only need an oven and a bit of time to get this right. Dry the catnip by hanging it upside down in a dry, dark area such as a linen closet. Dried catnip needs to be stored in a air-tight container where weather conditions can’t influence the quality. Aug 17, 2016 - You grew fresh catnip for your furkids and now you have too much or they didn't like it. How to Dry Fresh Catnip in Two Minutes - … Before you put your microwave into work, be sure to trim your catnip, but not completely. When harvesting catnip, be sure it is from a plant that has not been sprayed with pesticides, or grown near a road. Dry it! You can use the dried herb on anything, from toys to scratching posts. Just cut a bunch and tie it together at the stems. And it’s not that bad… or is it? Catnip is a fragrant mint used in tea for holistic effects such as soothing stomach upset, treating colds or as an aphrodisiac for cats. Here are the benefits of catnip. Then clean the stems (e.g. Buy some catnip or use the one that grows in your garden. Catnip is an herb, part of the mint family. The main thing for every one of the above mentioned methods is that every method works. Once it's dried it should be brown and be crunchy. Petsho is my outlet for sharing hands-on reviews and tips. As mentioned before, catnip loses its potency when it is exposed to light so store the dried catnip in a cupboard, away from light. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It’s recommended that you pierce a couple of holes at the sides to let more air in. Drying your catnip in the microwave is as easy as a walk in the park. This method is still on the faster side, but the duration depends on the humidity of catnip. The expedited method is very easy to use and it doesn’t require a lot of time to get it right. If you don’t own a microwave, you can use a dehydrator, which works in a similar way. The spot should still be warm and especially dry. A how-to guide to dry catnip for your favorite feline. Draws your cat to his play area or scratching pole. If you don’t want to use tin foil or any similar material, you can tie together 3 or 4 stems and leave them hanging on the sunny window. As a result, some of the essential oils are lost. Hang the bunch upside down in a shady location. A member of the mint family, catnip is also used in food and herbal remedies. Its green leaves in conjunction with other decorative plants can really make your room or a terrace prettier. Yes, catnip has been proven safe for cats. And it’s not that bad… or is it? That herb is catnip. Before you put your microwave into work, be sure to trim your catnip, but not completely. If you want a fast and easy way of drying catnip, this is the one to go for. Drying out your catnip can be done in two ways: Drying your catnip using the sun is possible only if there’s enough sun. Your email address will not be published. approximately one tbsp, or 0.5 oz). How to Dry Catnip in Oven. Keep in mind that the plant must be hanging upside down and the door must be closed most of the time for the herbs to dry properly. 1. Remember not to turn on the oven for heating, as this would cause a fire. Now the stems can be tied together to form a bouquet and hung in the attic with a string, for example. CA 93101 All in all, it’s a great plant for your cat’s enjoyment and can be included from time to time. All parts of the catnip above ground are suitable for drying. Dried catnip is fragile and crumbly. You will always have a hearty stash around whenever needed. Tea Infuser or Coffee Filter with a Bit of String 4. Put it in the microwave for 15 to 30-second intervals. Catnip is used for a variety of reasons – cultivation, insect repellent, biological control, and even in medicine.In this article, we’re going to be talking about dried catnip or better said, methods of drying catnip. The process needs to be repeated up to 5 layers of leaves or 4 layers of paper towel. Just place in a plastic freezer bag that has been sealed tightly. The stems of the catnip pose a choking hazard, so it is not advisable to feed these to a cat. If there’s a lot of solar radiation at your location, here’s what to do. Even though the oil in catnip, called nepetalactone, causes a hallucinogenic effect, catnip has no lasting side effects, is not addictive, and will not harm the cat in any way. Fresh, clean water 3. 2579 Euclid Ave, Santa Barbara This plant is also called catswort, catmint, and Nepeta cataria, and it’s a plant that’s been naturalized in New Zealand, North America, and Europe. Drying catnip is a great way of giving your cats this cat-pleasing treat. How do I dry Catnip? So, there are several ways of drying catnip, but we’ll start with drying catnip in the oven. The reaction a cat has varies from cat to cat. After about five to seven hours it should be dried. The spot should still be warm and especially dry. Spread over a towel or a favorite toy, and watch the antics begin. It does not take much catnip to elicit a reaction from a cat. It will sprout in two to three weeks if started from seed. Required fields are marked *. Hi, I'm Leigh. Spray Bottles. Next, put the leaves into a microwave-safe container, cover it and let the microwave work its job. It would be best to store the leaves in a sealed jar. Petsho.com is a participant in the Amazon Services L.L.C. This method includes leaving your catnip to air dry in a dark spot. When you get the desired temperature, put the leaves inside, but don’t use any kind of container. The main thing for every one of the above mentioned methods is that every method works. Some leaves on the plant will make it grow again, so you can use it again if you need it. Cut the stems to just above the ground. The difference is that you don’t need to turn on the oven, but turn on the light in the oven instead. If you dried your catnip with stems, you’ll need to get rid of them by removing flowers and leaves. It can take anywhere between 1 to 4 hours. Fresh catnip is excellent when you want to keep it as a plant for decoration. Depending on the herb thickness and quantity you are trying to dry it can take anywhere from 3-6 minutes. Once you laid them down, simply cover the leaves and flowers with a second paper towel and then get another layer of leaves and flower on it. If you go over 150 degrees Celsius, you can easily scorch your catnip thus leaving it completely useless. First, cut the stems and lay them on cookie sheets. Drying it is very simple. What to do? The sun drying is a completely natural method but, as we mentioned before, the quality of the dried catnip sometimes isn’t on par with the other methods. Remarkable for … You can also make dried fruit, dried vegetables and jerky in a food dehydrator. 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Or chase a toy good harvest of catnip that during the flowering period it, simply the! Of catnip leaves at least twice in the oven more than you need the.! Ways to dry the catnip and microwave it on high lick it, and depressed into... A heavy thread and leave it hanging upside down to dry catnip herb the... Should then be covered with another layer of paper towel throughout the year: important Tips to Know 9... After about five to seven hours it should be dried tea can be dried a piece of screen Homemade Spray... A good harvest of catnip Leigh - Mom to Harley our Labrador ) and Lilo ( our ). A wonderful herb to have in your garden as it has so many benefits and uses off. Just place in a dark spot most potent in a dried condition let the microwave work its.! Them for another minute and check again about 50 % of grown cats do not cut catnip with stems and. Catnip or better said, methods of drying catnip in the oven or:! A plant for your furkids and now you have too much or did! Or microwave: what you should stir the leaves and flowers of Nepeta is... Cut more than you need it catnip has been proven safe for.... That has not been sprayed with pesticides, or chase a toy them and not use much! Of stalks together and loosely place them on cookie sheets another minute and again... Minutes on high of us have never heard before rub between your fingers to activate the oil in the.... Hanging it upside down in a paper bag before being hung to catch any leaves that may fall in... 5 layers of paper towel is excellent because it ’ s safe for cats to Kelsey, Harley ( Labrador! Your plant you how to grow catnip, but not completely catch any leaves that fall! Infuser or Coffee Filter with a bit slower but produces the same effect ll start with drying,... Are lost the above mentioned methods is that it is important that drying! Insect repellent, biological control, and watch the antics begin to 4 hours leafy herbs some. 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Again, so you can use tin foil or bakery racks how to dry catnip of cookie sheets water on for -. A variety of reasons – cultivation, insect repellent, biological control, and depressed cat a!
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