Ants on Outdoor Plants, Christmas Cactus Outside, Poinsettia Color

Three questions, three answers:

1. Ants on Blooming Plants (SW Florida)

Ants farm aphids. Treat aphids with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ants will leave when their "herd" is gone.

2. Christmas Cactus Outdoors?

Only if no freezes. In nature, they're epiphytes in tree crotches—not ground dwellers. Ground planting risks rot (rain/sprinklers) and animal damage. Keep in a hanging basket or pot with excellent drainage.

3. Poinsettias Not Turning Red

They need 6+ weeks of 14-hour total darkness starting mid-Sept for holiday color. Cover with a box or place in a dark closet nightly. Days: 4+ hours direct sun. Feed high-nitrogen fertilizer once color shows.