New Tenants

[Ptaszek]

Hello everyone,
This is the first time I've posted anything though I've been visiting this site for a while. I'm very glad to have found it! All the info I've found has been both amusing and helpful!
So here's my question. I bought a Schomburgkia a couple weeks ago. I've been keeping it outside, hanging on a hook over my patio. Well, we had a big thunderstorm here last night and it was windy so I took the plant down and let it sit on the patio floor overnight. This morning when I went to hang it back up, I noticed a trail of ants leading up to the pot. They've moved right in! Picked the Schomburgkia over all the other plants on the patio. I can see them inside the pseudobulbs, carrying their larvae around and rearranging the furniture! So what do I do with them? Can/should I let the ants stay? I don't think they'll hurt the plant since in the wild it's normal for ants to live in the pbs... but I'm still not 100% sure. And if I leave them, what do I do when winter comes? I'll have to bring the plant inside but I don't want ants all over my apartment. Any ideas? Thanks!!

[Gin]

They like those bulbs ! I think I would get rid of the ants now rather than later on when you have to bring it indoors, I did some reading they do not harm the plant and supply food for it , droppings bodies ect . You could submerge the pot in water, they will abandon ship and move on , might have to do it a few times . I heard they farm aphids ect . but have read that they don't . I have one schomburgkii and like it a lot . Welcome to the forum Gin

[mde]

I've also read, many times, that ants 'farm' aphids. They keep just enough alive to sustain the population so they have a steady supply of food. But if you don't have aphids, they nothing more than irritating!
ME

[Jmoney]

someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't schomburkia the genus where ants actually live in the old pseudobulbs? probably protects the plant against other bugs. I don't think it would be very convenient if you're moving it indoors though.

[Gin]

Right on Jason ! The Bot. garden in Saint Louis has one with ants Gin