Hi ashley, It would take you quite a bit of time to read the container forum about soil composition and how small particles can clog up soil over a while, such as worm castings and coffee grinds, sand and so on. Why these are encouraged by many to keep out of pots. I would take a gander some time and see how soil works..It's awsome. But in the meantime, you need help now, and if this does work, the grinds in particular, then I would use it, if that is an only choise, better than nothing, only because you are armed with the knowledge to know what coffee grinds can do to your soil over time. So just keep and eye on your soil, and if you see that it is becoming compact, hard to water, or staying wet to long after the grinds decompose, just do a transplant with a better open and airy soil before the plant suffers. Catch it before this happens. By then, your ant problem just might be gone..:-) You armed with great info here, and you have alot of great choices do great advice from others. Just know your soil basics,and you will save future heartache for your special plants.. Know what to watch for, when it comes to your plants health declining, for almost always it is a root related do to compact soil and air space filled in with stuff usch as grinds, "over time". Goodluck.....let us know if you got rid of the ants You didn't hijack this thread, you only added to its character for the good. Your idea was great for anyone and everyone who know their soils well..:-)

I, too, am having a problem with my hardy hibiscus. They came up on time(after I cut off the dead from the winter) and grew up really fast. But now they have buds and are starting to drop leaves. They didn't do that last year. I was wondering if they might have a virus? I fed them Osmocote in late April/early May. Should I boost them with Miracle Grow now? Maybe the budding is starving them? They're in pots on my deck and they are HUGE!

Well, I have noticed a squirrel running onto the deck and picking up and chewing on the dropped leaves. Not sure if he is the culprit, but I wouldn't be surprised. We have some incredibly mischievous squirrels here -- they seem to be messing with me just to make me mad. I have yet to see a caterpillar, but some are very good at camouflage and I may not have noticed them.

The ants themselves shouldnt hurt the tree...the airation of the soil will actually help the tree. But, yes the aphid problem is another issue. If you see any small flee sized bugs along the stems (particularly underneath), then you have a problem. I have successfully flooded all of my ants out by adding drip irrigation that turns on twice a day. But if you wish to kill them, which would be a good idea because flooding them will only cause them to relocated into your yard, I would suggest amdro fire ant killer. It isn't liquid so it shouldnt harm the tree (placing it around the pot will suffice). It is a poisoned bait that the ants collect and eat (carrying some to the queen which is required to erradicate the colony).