"Paul M. Cook" wrote in message
...
Well the leaves continue to die at the crown although a couple very
deformed ones have managed to survive. What I discovered this morning was
the pot was crawling with tiny black flies. Must have been a hundred or
more. So I hosed it with pyretherin spray and that killed them off quick.
Could this damage be caused by a fly larvae?

Yes, fungus gnats. A thin layer of sand on the soil surface will discourage
flying adults from laying more eggs. Use some kind of Bt next time you water
(a dissolved mosquito dunk will work in a pinch) for longer term control.