Question
QUESTION: While trimming back my bougainvillea plant today, I noticed the planter is full of ants.  I use cayenne powder in other places to discourage ants but am wondering if it would hurt the plant?  I'd appreciate any info you can give me.  Thanks Nick, Sue Lotta

ANSWER: Hi Sue, the ants will not harm the plant, but they need to be eliminated for obvious reasons, but I would repot the Boug, it should be done peridocially anyway,and I can not see a better reason then this; dump the old soil, clean the container with bleach, rinse it well and at an inch of gravel to the bottom then top off with new potting soil. When you lift the Boug, rinse the root ball well, this will displace any ants in that vicinity. Nick

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QUESTION: Hi Nick,  Need your help again!  I have a beautiful Clerodendrum Quadriloculare Starburst tree and have tried to propagate.  I've put cuttings in water - no luck, I've used Shultz's Take Root - no luck and just stuck cuttings in the ground - again, no luck.  Any suggestions?  Thanks,
Sue Lotta

Answer
Hi Sue, good to hear from you again, take tip cuttings, about 3 inches long, dip them in the rooting hormone and put them in moistened vermiculite, then cover them with a baggy and put them inside away from direct Sun; the baggy acts as a humidifier, keeping the crown hydrated. Just make sure the vermiculite stays moist and you should have roots develop within a couple of weeks....if you prune back the parent plant, it usually encourages suckers to develop around it, and these can be dug up and planted elsewhere. They always wilt, cuttings and suckers when first planted, but will perk up after a couple of days if kept watered; don't give up on them when they seem to wilt and die, for under the soil, the roots are still taking hold. Nick