Expert: Dr. Rakesh Kumar - 11/27/2010

Question
Hello Dr Rakesh Kumar,
I wonder if you could please help me.  I bought a very tall mixed bamboo plant in container from my local garden centre (Scotland), which I kept at the entrance to my flat inside a block of flats.  I suspect roaming cats have been eating the leaves and urinated in the soil which smells, and the plant is nowdying. I have brought it inside and poured water through the soil with a basin 3 times.  The soil still smells and I would really like to know if there is anything else I can do, maye to neutralise the soil?  I appreciate any advice you could offer and thankyou in advance for your help.

Many thanks.

Answer
Dear sharon,
Sorry for delay in answer. Your problem is really serious and I am not expert of this field but I can suggest you something to try. If you are sure that it is due to the urination of cat then you can add some gypsum to the soil, it will maintain its pH. Please try it for small area first. i hope it will work.

Thanks for caring the bamboo.

Rakesh