Gary Huff wrote:
In a message dated 5/21/05 12:04:56 AM, Dave writes:
I am now noticing tiny flea-like bugs that fly around and also are on the
surface of the soil. When the plant is moved they will sometimes fly off the
soil and around the tree.
Perhaps I am over watering the seeds and seedlings and this is attracting
bugs.

You answered your own question. What you have are fungus gnats. The larvae
live in the soil. Although they may damage some roots, their presence is more
significant of other problems (like E. coli in the drinking water). Your soil is
too soggy. Either you are grossly overwatering or your soil contains too much
organic matter, particularly peat moss. Water less often and use a potting
mix with more gravel and Turface (or other calcined clay product). For your
seedlings use sand or perlite. To eliminate the present infestation, use a soil
insecticide.
Iris


I seem to have the same problem too. I use liquid organic fertilizer; can that be causing the fungus
gnats too?

Gary
Zone 7

Only if you overdo something like fish emulsion fertilizer.
And by overdo, I mean OVERDO. If your trees smell like
Howard's Fish market that's probably too much.

Otherwise, it just means you are overwatering. Iris'
recommendation are fine until the last one (IMHO). Simply
watering less will get rid of the fungus gnats, though it'll
take longer than dousing them with poisons.

Let the soil get dry between waterings.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Nature
encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson

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