Why does your Cymbidium eburneum have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
The presence of tiny black flies in an orchid medium is almost always due to fungus gnats, whose larvae thrive in the moist organic matter of Cymbidium potting mixes. The adults emerge to lay eggs in the top layer of the substrate, while the larvae feed on fungal mycelia and occasionally fine root hairs.
Excessive moisture levels in the Cymbidium bark or moss create an ideal breeding ground for fungus gnat larvae. If the medium stays saturated, it can also lead to root hypoxia, further attracting pests that feed on decaying organic matter.
If the Cymbidium pot lacks adequate drainage holes or the medium has become overly compacted, stagnant water accumulates. This environment promotes the growth of fungi which serves as the primary food source for the life cycle of these flies.
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