Why does your Rhododendron impeditum have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
The tiny black flies are likely fungus gnat adults, which thrive in the consistently moist, organic-rich soil that Rhododendron impeditum prefers. Their larvae feed on organic matter and can damage delicate feeder roots of dwarf shrubs.
The presence of gnats often indicates that the substrate is staying too wet for too long. For a dwarf rhododendron, stagnant moisture promotes fungal growth which attracts these flies and can eventually lead to Phytophthora root rot.
Frequent use of compost or liquid organic fertilizers provides a high-nutrient environment for gnat larvae to develop. This creates a continuous life cycle of flies around the base of the plant.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
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