fungus gnats on Anthurium
Quick answer
If your Anthurium has fungus gnats, the most likely cause is: Fungus gnats (Sciaridae) become a chronic problem on Anthuriums whenever the chunky epiphytic substrate is kept consistently moist, because the adult females deposit eggs on damp substrate surfaces and the hatching larvae feed on the fine root hairs and the outer velamen layer of Anthurium's aerial-style roots, weakening the root system without producing obvious above-ground symptoms until populations explode.
Start here:
- 1. Allow the substrate surface to dry completely between waterings so the larvae lose their moist breeding substrate
- 2. Apply the neem oil solution called for in the source book to the substrate surface until runoff to kill larvae on contact and repel egg-laying adults
Why Anthurium gets fungus gnats
Anthurium spp.
Fungus gnats (Sciaridae) become a chronic problem on Anthuriums whenever the chunky epiphytic substrate is kept consistently moist, because the adult females deposit eggs on damp substrate surfaces and the hatching larvae feed on the fine root hairs and the outer velamen layer of Anthurium's aerial-style roots, weakening the root system without producing obvious above-ground symptoms until populations explode.
How to reverse fungus gnats on Anthurium
- 1
Allow the substrate surface to dry completely between waterings so the larvae lose their moist breeding substrate
- 2
Apply the neem oil solution called for in the source book to the substrate surface until runoff to kill larvae on contact and repel egg-laying adults
- 3
Set yellow sticky traps at canopy level to catch adult gnats and break the breeding cycle, replacing traps as they fill until catches drop to near zero
Keep fungus gnats off this Anthurium
Water only after the substrate surface dries to the touch; top-dress with a coarse, dry layer so adult females cannot reach moist organic matter to lay eggs; quarantine every new arrival in a separate room before adding it to the collection.