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Growing palms and tropicals in cold climates
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Cold Hardy Palms
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Topic starter
I left my new Bismarck out on the grass for a few days in the warm sunlight. I went to put it in a larger pot and noticed that these little black (local) ants had taken up residence in the soil. Is there anything like salt or anything I can flush them out with or drive them away without having to once again disturb the roots?? 😕
Posted : 05/06/2007 5:41 pm
No easy way to put it ... ants are bad news. They seem harmless and unobtrusive but over time will establish themselves in an unwanted fashion. Ortho makes a product called "Home Defense - MAX" that has worked very well for me. There are many other products on the market that likely are just as effective.
Cheers, Barrie.
Posted : 05/06/2007 7:57 pm
Topic starter
Hey Barrie,
What a pain!! I may have to re-pot it. It's in a 16" pot so it's not huge. I will figure something out. Can you believe after weeks in the upper 20's we are expecting possible frost tonight? They up to 30 by weeks end!! Welcome to Ontario
Posted : 05/06/2007 8:03 pm
I have found that if the soil is kept wet for several days the ant hill will flood and the little buggers will move on to wreck something else.
Keep water running into the pot and drown them out. The bismarkia should not be affected by 2 or 3 days of wet.
Allen
You don't have to be crazy to grow palms in Alberta..... But it helps
Posted : 05/06/2007 8:07 pm
Arctic Palm
I don't know how you guys manage with the temperature swings. let alone your palms and exotics. Allen (Alchris) is right about watering to force them out. Bismarkia nobilis are sensitive to re-potting and transplanting. I killed one in a season with all the best care I could give it here on Vancouver Island.
Cheers, Barrie.
Posted : 05/06/2007 8:28 pm
Topic starter
The frost is a freak thing for this time of year...very freak, it usually never frosts after April. It is supposed to go down to 5 so there is a chance. I have taken all my smaller and tropical plants in for the night. Just in case. I will begin watering tomorrow as soon as I bring the all back outside.
Thanks to both of you!!
Posted : 05/06/2007 8:34 pm
Down here we have fire ants that get into most all potted plants. Since you are not consuming anything on the plant, any liquid insecticide poured in the pot will take care of them & will not harm the plant. We do this on a constant basis down here...
Posted : 05/06/2007 8:44 pm
Topic starter
Laaz,
Thanks, I didn't know if I should use a chemical.
Posted : 05/06/2007 9:12 pm
