Why does your Phalaenopsis Valencia have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
Pet FriendlyThe presence of tiny black flies in orchids is almost always due to fungus gnats, whose larvae thrive in the organic matter of damp orchid bark. The adults emerge to mate and lay eggs in the moist surface layer of the potting medium.
Constant moisture in the Phalaenopsis bark substrate creates an ideal breeding ground for gnat larvae. When the medium stays wet for too long, it encourages fungal growth which serves as a primary food source for the pests.
As orchid bark ages, it breaks down into smaller, soil-like particles that retain much more water. This nutrient-rich, decaying organic matter provides a perfect habitat for fly larvae to develop.
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