Why does your Albuca namaquensis have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
The presence of tiny black flies in bulbous plants like Albuca is almost certainly fungus gnats, which breed in the moist organic matter of the potting medium. Their larvae feed on decaying organic material and can damage the delicate emerging roots of the Albuca bulb.
Fungus gnat populations explode when the substrate remains damp for extended periods. For a succulent-like bulb such as Albuca namaquensis, prolonged moisture not only attracts flies but also significantly increases the risk of bulb rot.
A potting mix that is too rich in peat or compost provides an ideal breeding ground and food source for fly larvae. Albuca species generally prefer more inorganic, gritty, and well-draining substrates that dry out quickly.
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