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View Full Version : Ensete glauca and ants


saltydad
07-06-2011, 03:39 PM
I have a large E. glauca (over 7 feet so far) that for the summer is planted in my backyard. It seems to be doing fine, with excellent new leaf production. I was trimming off the dark ends of petiole stubs on the p-stem when I discovered masses of very small 'ants' (I guess), many carrying a white substance. Is this just ants enjoying the old nectar, or is this something to worry about? Thanks.

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/Garden/SpringSummer11107.jpg?t=1309899644

sunfish
07-06-2011, 04:04 PM
Don't know if you got this in the P.M. I sent so I'll post here

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=44036&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=44036&ppuser=2868)

Ptilotus exaltatus var.villosus

saltydad
07-06-2011, 04:18 PM
Don't know if you got this in the P.M. I sent so I'll post here

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=44036&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=44036&ppuser=2868)

Thanks for the info, Tony. I love this plant.

Blake09
07-06-2011, 09:26 PM
Could the ants be farming aphids?

saltydad
07-07-2011, 12:18 AM
Possible. They were so small I could barely see them without my readers. I'll check; thanks for the suggestion.

RobG7aChattTN
07-07-2011, 08:45 AM
Could the white substance be eggs? When they move a colony they carry the eggs on their backs to the new location.

sandy0225
07-18-2011, 07:42 PM
usually when you see ants you have aphids. especially if it's those little tiny ants.

saltydad
07-19-2011, 05:02 PM
This turned out to be the glauca now blooming. Wonder at the relationship. Not pulling off any p-stem material now that she's preggers.

scottu
07-19-2011, 07:39 PM
Congrats Howard!!

sandy0225
07-21-2011, 05:09 PM
super cool...congratulations!