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Ants have invaded a cloud conifer

Hi All,

I have a cloud conifer that I bought from a large retailer a few years ago. It was looking sad for a few months and I recently noticed it has been infested by ants. Theres a lot of die back as a result and the plant now looks rather sparse and sad.

I have been tempted with an alternative and so I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what kind of damage the ants will have done and if the conifer will likely recover.

A lot of the 'clouds' have turned brown about 2 cm from the end but there is still some greenery.

Its in a large pot.

Posts

  • Tropical SamTropical Sam Posts: 1,488

    Is the tree in a pot or in the ground?

  • Kieran WoodKieran Wood Posts: 67

    Its in a large pot. Its probably about 2 / 3 ft tall (the plant not the pot)

  • Tropical SamTropical Sam Posts: 1,488

    I would get a trug (or large container) fill that with water and soak the plant for a few hours. That will kills all the ants. I would then add fresh compost to the pot and add some fish bone meal to help the roots re-establish. Keep the pot watered all summer : a saucer underneath the pot will help with this and stop the ants coming back as they do not swim. As the tree is still green it has a good chance of growing back. The brown bits will not grow back.

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