About Diana Hamilton Expertise I can answer questions related to flowering and non-flowering house plants, and herbs. I do not know very much about cactus, orchids and bonsai
Experience For 20 years I owned a florist where I sold cut flowers and all types of house plants and accessories and gave advice to my customers.
Publications I have not had any writings published but I have presented gardening programmes on television, showing viewers how to care for their plants, giving them ideas on suitable plants, discussed problems with experts in different fields and given practical demonstrations on growing seeds, planting tubs and hanging baskets, watering, feeding, pruning etc.
Education/Credentials I am completely self-taught
Awards and Honors I have exhibited plants and flower arrangements in many Flower Shows winning many prizes.
Question My outside giant white bird of paradise has just begun to bloom after 6 years. It is beautiful but the blossom is covered with ants. Should I spray the delicate blossom with insecticide to kill the ants or are the ants required for pollination of the plant. Where should I spray it if required (The plant is ~10’ x 6’ and has other blossoms which look to be starting to open.)?
May thanks for your suggestions.
Kim
Answer Dear Kim,
You must be very excited to see your plant in bloom after such a long wait! No, don't spray the flowers. First of all buy some antkiller powder or gel and put this on the ant run, i.e. on the ground where the ants are running back and forth. I use gel as it works very quickly and is not unsightly like powder.
Although ants themselves cause no harm unless they are burrowing between the roots of plants disturbing the soil, they do carry aphids and you don't want your plant to be covered in those.
Can you send me a photo of your plant? I would love to see it as it sounds spectacular - I don't ever remember seeing one which is white, I thought they were always a mixture of red/orange/blue.
