I live in Wichita County. Some years ago I grew a few candlestick trees. They were annuals, and were beautiful. I want to plant some again next year, but I read on another site (don't remember it, can't find it; but no, I didn't imagine it) that they attract fire ants--in fact, this place suggested that very use, i.e. all your fire ants would attend your candlestick tree and so you would have one-site extermination!
Anyway, I really just want to know if candlestick trees really do attract fire ants.
candlestick trees and fire ants
I am growing a candlestick tree this year and I haven't been bothered by fire ants at all. I have had a few big black ants on it but just a little spray and they're gone. We moved to East Texas from the metroplex area a few years ago and I have noticed that we don't have nearly as many fire ants here as we did. I cannot believe how fast this tree is growing. This is my first time to have one and I'm really anxious for it to bloom.
Their growth is amazing! Tyler is a tiny bit warmer in winter than Wichita Falls. I wonder if it might be a perennial there?
It's an annual. I bought it as a seedling from the Men's Garden Club. He told me to collect the seeds and I could start my own. I may just have to go to their sell next spring, I don't have a lot of luck with seeds.
Neither do I, although I did do great with some Mexican sunflower seeds (tinthoniums?) I just basically threw in the bed this spring.
Candlestick is really easy to grow from seed. Just throw it in the dirt early in the year (late February) and you'll have a huge plant by August. Better to start in pots in December under a grow light.
It does attract ants but not mounds. There must be a sap that they are attracted to, you will find a few crawling up and down. I really think they're going for the sulphur eggs and caterpillars but I may be wrong. Being a butterfly lover, I squish the ants. If it weren't for the BF's, I'd probably leave the ants be. I'm sure they're eating aphids and other things I don't want on there. But, 2 years in a row....no fire ants.