PalmsNorth.com

Lil baby girl is now 10 months old. Now maybe I can spend more time on here.

...10 months old already?
She'll be asking for the car keys soon.

We'll call off the search party for you.
Barb

Good to see your still around!
Have everything ready for winter?

Steve

Welcome back!

Bill

Ok then...show some recent pics. Bring us up to date.

Well sad to say, with my girl, I have neglected the old greenhouse a bit more than I have before. Most everything looks good, but WOW, Steve, you would not believe the Ficus Bengal that you gave me. Has tripled in size in one year. And oddly enough, it has grown A LOT the last couple months since it got cooler.
HOWEVER, and also oddly enough, the soil is riddled with ants. When I water it, MILLIONS of ants run out. But it is growing at an alarming rate?????

Anyways, everything is out in the greenhouse, or in the garage. However, tomorrow I am bringing all in the greenhouse into the basement.

No pics, sorry, but maybe 2morow.

Kansas, Sound like it's time for a triacicide watering! Ants are not a good thing for potted plants as I'm sure you know.

Bill

Maybe the ants are fixing nitrogen to the roots in a symbiosis?
If your bringing it into the house, then it's probably time for them to go

Steve

Steve, I need you advise then.

I need to bring it inside for the Winter. And I know I will need to repot it in new soil, but I have a couple questions (for everybody too)

I am scared to repot it now because I have killed many of plants after repotting. Is now a good time to do it?

If I repot, will there be ant eggs on the roots and I will just be delaying the inevitable?

When I do repot, what soil do I use?


Thanks guys and ladies.

For a non chemical approach, you can submerge the container in water for up to an hour.
The Bayer "Home & Garden" spray will take care of them too. (will also leave a residue to keep them from coming back)

Did you have the container sitting directly on the ground this summer? If so, that's an open invitation for them. I keep all my outside stuff set up on 1" blocks.


As far as re potting, if you can get rid of them, then hold off till spring.

Steve

welcome back Wes. This is a tough time of year to re-pot. I second the wait until springtime mantra. Do get rid of the ants as soon as possible.

Good to know, thanks guys. I will try the water submerge thing.

Also, I found out why it is growing so vigorously. I went to lift it up to bring it inside for the Winter and it had 3 roots, about 2" round @, growing into the ground. I had to cut them. I hope it lives!!

Helps catches the ants!
little sugar in a plastic plate,when the ants has the plate covered full of them,take the plate outside,kill them,
Everyday until no longer get any ants,takes awhile,and it works!

You can buy a small quantity of boric acid (powder) at the pharmacy.

Put it on a small plate or jar lid right beside where the ants-in-the-pot are.
Ants apparently "take it home" and poison the whole nest.

Make sure no pets/kids can get near it; it's poison if eaten.

Barb

Welcome back Wes.Now you can get the kids to help with the palm hobby soon. Any pics on how things are growing since your last photo post?

John

Hey Wes, it was good to talk to you recently. We discussed making a permanent
home at your place for a " one of a kind plant." I still think a 'grape fruit size' Nova
Wilailak Variegata would make a nice addition to your collection, don't you agree? If
so, we'll ship it when it gets a little warmer weather. I understand congratulations is in
order...........keep up the good work, ole buddy. Robert Chumley

Yes, it would look WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!


I tell you, the Willy are my absolute favorite. THey do the best for me and I LOVE the combination of the white trunk and long leaves.

I thought of you earlier this week when the Weather Channel was in your town showing the strawberry freezing. I told my wife I sure hope Robert is keeping warm.

I am getting the Cycad bug BAD right now. I think I am going to go with cycad and Dioons and such solely now. Palms are just too darn hard for me. I lost a LOT of stuff this fall.


BTW, thanks for the congrats! Here she is, in October...

She is so adorable! Beautiful!

Glad she looks like her mom
Barb

When people tell me she is pretty, I tell them, "yea, we don't know who the real Mom is". Mom aint real keen on that saying thou!