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Ants on my Clemetis

lindygcafclindygcafc Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Good morning,   I am looking for some advice please. I have a clematis which is growing in a large container, it has vigorous growth but is covered with ants. I can see no sign of aphids anywhere on the plant. Also can see no sign of flower buds, but maybe too early. Any advice would  be much appreciated,  thank you in advance

Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    If ants are on your clematis they are there for a reason. They like sweet things and collect the sugary honeydew that aphids produce. If there are no flowers to give them nectar there must be something to keep them coming or they wouldn't bother.
    The picture is very blurred. Are those bumps on the middle stem ants or something else?
    If they are nesting in the pot it is an indication that the soil is too dry. A bucket of water may encourage them to move on and will please the clem. :)

  • lindygcafclindygcafc Posts: 3
    Thank you so much for your advice. The bump on the stems are actually the ants. I thought I was watering it enough but it is a largish wooden planter so maybe not. If the ants have a nest in the soil, which I suspect is the case, as I can't trace any ant runs, what can I do to destroy the nest in the soil? Thanks 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Just keep watering it ... a really good soaking ... a bucket full or more, keep watering until the water runs out of the bottom, that'll ensure there's no dry pockets and the ants will move on ... they don't like a damp home, but clematis need moist soil so it should work just fine.  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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