Lilies and cats

Lilies are beautiful flowers, but when I grow them I put them at the back of the border away from where the cats go. That is because they contain toxins that are dangerous to cats and dogs.

The Internet says :

Both calla lilies and peace lilies contain insoluble crystals of calcium oxalates (insoluble means the crystals don’t dissolve in water). When a cat or dog chews on or bites the plant, the crystals are released and directly irritate the mouth, tongue, throat, and esophagus.16 Sept 2021

So be careful what plants you grow, and try and be aware of what can be dangerous to your pets.

Cat news

He’s much better! His chest had to be shaved so the vets could take a blood test, but his kidneys are OK now. The vets also created a serum from his blood that is usdd as an eyedrop. The white blood cells in it help him absorb medication to help heal the ulcers in his eye. His mouth has healed and the damage they thought was a lesion was a burn that was probably caused by whatever toxic substance that he had got on his fur.

I’m so happy that he’s recovering, the vets are pleased with his progress. He isn’t let out although he has snuck out a couple of times. He will get some freedom when he is fully well.

Fern fronds

Ferns are ancient plants. They predate flowering plants. You can find fossils of them in the carboniferous era. They propagate, not by seed, but by spores which are held on the underside of the leaves. In sporediea. They are discharged into the air and are blown away by the wind. From there they create tiny ferns, I can’t remember the exact details because its over forty years since I learnt about them. All I can say is I must look it up. I do know they have silica in their cells and can be toxic to cattle and sheep.

Ferns are beautiful, they have lovely spiral fronds which then unfurl. There are different colours shapes and sizes. I know that some people have gardens full of ferns. I obviously need to find out more.