Fungus Gnats in Orchid Pot: Repot in Coarse Bark to Eliminate

An orchid (yearly bloomer) had tiny nat-like bugs in the soil and on the plant, one yellow leaf lost. Red wine traps caught many but they persisted.

Diagnosis: Fungus Gnats

Adults fly; larvae live in wet, broken-down, soil-like mix. They don't damage plants directly but indicate degraded mix and high root-rot risk.

Solution: Repot in Fresh Coarse Bark Mix

1. Buy fir-bark orchid mix (Home Depot/Lowe's garden centers).
2. Soak mix while unpotting plant.
3. Rinse roots; discard mushy (rotted) roots.
4. Use plastic pot with many drainage holes.
5. Pot in wet mix; drain overnight.
6. Resume weekly watering in ~1 week.

Glass Pot & Drain Dish Problem (Follow-Up)

Glass pots rarely have enough drainage holes. Drain dishes allow bottom mix to stay soggy → root rot. If using a drain dish, wait 2+ hours after watering before replacing pot; dish should be nearly dry. Best: plastic pot, no dish, free drainage.