Re: Ants
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Ants
- From: "* I* J* <j*@ix.netcom.com>
- Date: Fri, 19 Jun 1998 14:53:08 +0000
- References: <l03020900b1b082fa12b7@[203.13.168.43]>
Dianne Dalla Santa wrote:
>
> I am also troubled by ants in my plants. The type that swarm up my
> legs when I disturb the ground either with hoe or water. We have a peaceful
> existence until the Spuria's flower and then war is declared. They then
> attack the blooms to gather tiny glistening droplets of sweet nectar that
> accumulates at the base of each petal. Then my guess is that the nectar is
> tracked over the entire area which encourages them to chew into the
> unfurled petals of unopened buds. The result is very fimbriated blooms and
> makes finding a show bench spike difficult. I resort to using ant dust
> around the base of the clumps to deter them. After bloom is finished they
> are welcomed back as free subterranean drainage experts.
> On behalf of the Victorian Region of the Iris Society of Australia
> I want to sincerely thank Mike Lowe for the insertion of our 50th
> Anniversary Sunraysia Iris Convention details on the World Iris site.
> Thank you Mike.
> Dianne Dalla Santa, Australia, surveying the damage caused by
> severe frosts but happy knowing the iris bloom in October will be all the
> better for it.
