Why does your Zantedeschia Captain Cheerio 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 breed in the moist organic matter of the potting soil. Their larvae feed on the delicate root hairs of your Zantedeschia, which can lead to nutrient deficiency and stunted growth.
Calla Lilies prefer moist but well-draining soil; however, constantly saturated soil creates the perfect aerobic environment for fungus gnat larvae to thrive. This can also lead to rhizome rot in 'Captain Cheerio' varieties.
If your potting mix is very rich in peat moss or contains uncomposted organic matter, it provides an ideal food source for the life cycle of soil-dwelling flies. The breakdown of this material attracts insects to the plant's root zone.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
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