Question
Hi! I outside plants that have bloom on them but they get infested with ants. We live in southwest Florida. I also have a christmas cactus, can it be planted outside. I have poinsetta's that we have planted outside in the ground and they are doing great, but they dont turn red. Is there a reason. Thank you for all your help.

Answer
Vickie,

Ants on your plants outdoors indicates that they most likely have aphids and need to be treated as soon as you can ge to a garden center and get insecticide to treat them. I have never seen on planted in the ground. In nature they would be more likely to grow in the crtches of tree branches in the dirt that accumulates there. If you are in an are that never freezes it can be planted outdoors. In the ground they are likely to be eaten by annimal and overwatered by rain and sprinkler systems.

Poinsettias are short day plants. Although they will eventually bloom, if you want the plants in bloom for the holidays they must be subjected to at least six weeks of 14 hours of total darkness per day (mid to late September). This may be accomplished by placing a potted plant in a closet or unlighted room, or by covering the plant with black cloth, black plastic frame or a cardboard box. The plant should then be returned to the light each day and given a minimum of 4 hours of direct sun. Feed your plant every 2 weeks with a high nitroger fertilizer once color has begun to show.

This web site has complete info on the care and feeing of poinsettias. Good luck.  

Darlene