Why does your Dendrobium officinale have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
The larvae of these flies live in the upper layers of organic substrate, feeding on fungal mycelium and the delicate root hairs of Dendrobium officinale. The presence of tiny black flies is a classic sign of overly moist growing media which promotes fungal growth.
In humid environments suitable for Dendrobium, these flies can lay eggs in crevices of the pseudobulbs or bark. Their larvae may cause localized necrotic spots on the stem if they penetrate the plant tissue.
While not a 'cause' of the flies themselves, high moisture levels in bark or sphagnum moss create the ideal breeding ground for dipteran insects. This environment also puts Dendrobium officinale at risk of Phytophthora-related rot.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
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