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Last weekend i notice that there was some gnats coming out near the… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

Ingrid

Last weekend i notice that there was some gnats coming out near the soil while I was watering her so i decided to change the soil in the process i think i over watered the plant bc the following day the leaves have been drooping. I took it out of tried some of the videos that stated for overwatering i should take it out of its fancy bot ( not the nursery pot) put it on top of a news paper and have a fan on low to help release some of the moisture. I tried to make some holes as well in the soil but it still continues to drop at first i thought it was fine so i put it back in the pot but when i checked today the nursery pot was moist. I am extremely new to caring for plants so i would really appreciate some advice

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10 comments

  1. Shirley🪴you jest

    Hi, I think we’ve all made the mistake of overwatering at one time or another. Now you have the opportunity to learn a new lesson and a new skill. These will serve you well in plant parenthood. I think you’re on the right track, but I would put the plastic pot on a folded handtowel and keep changing the towel as it absorbs the excess moisture. Then when you next water allow the plastic pot to drain well for an hr or more before putting it back in the cache pot. I use a ridged tray to drain mine. I have heard you can also take off an inch or two of the topsoil and replace it with dry potting soil to help with the drying out. I’d be very careful to avoid direct fan air flow on the plant. It could dry out the leaves. If the gnats persist, I use a product called Mosquito Bits. I learned this from a nursery manager. I mix about a tablespoon into the top one or two inches of soil to eradicate the gnats. I use them as I tend to overwater. I wish you the very best. 🪴 Ps. Your plant is gorgeous! Do you know the variety name?

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    • Ingrid

      Thank you very much! Also it is a part of the Aglaonema family i originally thought it was specifically a chinese evergreen but im not sure

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  2. Bella56

    I don’t see any yellow or brown leaves so I think your plant is doing okay, it’s just transplant shock. But do keep an eye out for any discoloration. For future reference repotting should be the last option for getting rid of fungus gnats. Repotting can shock your plant and can cause it to droop for days and even weeks until it acclimates. Using sticky traps and mosquito bits have helped me eliminate fungus gnats, bottom watering also helps as the roots are directly getting water and the top soil stays dry.

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    • Ingrid

      Thank you!

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    • Ingrid

      Some of the leaves are having some issues is there something more i need to do to help them

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    • Bella56

      I would just give it lots of bright light, it needs time to recover

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  3. Leah

    Sticky pest traps work great! I use We The Wild ones

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    • Ingrid

      Thank you!

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  4. Lana Layne 🌺🪴🪻🌵🌸

    Plants go through shock when repotting… just leave it be. I know it’s hard but it will get better… I don’t water mine right away after repotting, I wait several days. Unless it’s a plant that I know doesn’t experience much transplant shock. For gnats I honestly just use new soil and sticky traps. I have tried mosquito bits, they somewhat work but they’re a pain and caused several of my plants to deteriorate. I’ve honestly found gnats are pretty hard to control… they continue to persist. I have started to go soilless, and have started transitioning all my plants (for the most part, 90 some out of 120) into lechuza pon. It’s a soilless substrate of rocks. Gnats are way less likely with it.

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    • Ingrid

      Thank you!

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