Why does your Amaryllis Hercules have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
The tiny black flies are likely Fungus Gnats, whose larvae thrive in the moist organic matter of Amaryllis potting soil. They feed on decaying plant material and can damage the developing bulb roots by feeding on fine root hairs.
Amaryllis bulbs are highly susceptible to rot if the soil remains saturated. Constant moisture creates the perfect breeding ground for fungus gnat larvae and can lead to secondary fungal infections in the bulb scales.
Compact, heavy soil prevents oxygen from reaching the Hercules bulb, causing organic matter to decompose anaerobically. This process attracts scavengers like gnats and can cause the bulb base to soften.