Expert: Diana Hamilton - 6/22/2009

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.

Hope those ants disappear quickly!

Diana