Fungas Gnats and Mosquito Dunks
 

:hello
I received an order of orchids yesterday. The bark appears really new, so I don't think they need repotting, but, they are all crawling with fungus gnats :((

Has anyone tried watering with mosquito dunks for the gnats? If so, what method did you use and how were the results?
Thanks

New bark shouldn't have fungus gnats. Is it possible that new bark was used as a top dressing? I'd check further down. Fungus gnats are usually a symptom that the media is too wet or broken down.
I've never used a mosquito dunk, so can't help you there.

Judi

I just dug down and there is still spag. on some of the roots. I will have to look at all of them. I am just a little frustrated since many of the plants came in much smaller pot sizes than indicated. Four of the plants were in pots one to two inches smaller than stated. The Sogo Grape 'Y&N' was supposed to be in a 6" pot for $45 and came in a 4 inch pot. I e-mailed the vendor about my disppointment. I ahven't heard back yet.

I will check the others too

Hereis a picture of one of them with a gnat on the tag. I noticed it as I took the picture and then smooshed it.:evil:

Soaking in some soapy water (can add some rubbing alcohol also) should kill larvae in the media (should you choose to not repot now).

I get gnats in anything that remains moist, regardless of the age of media, and even in inorganic media, so they're not always a sign of old, broken down media.

I spritz media surface with Orange Guard to help with adult gnats.

Thank you for the tips

First of all, if you don't get pot sizes you bought, I'd be contacting the seller.

The recommendations above are solid and even some new ones to try. Like said above, I too get larva and gnats regardless of media age. They love moist moss, especially when some algae starts to grow. I deal with them regularly. I'm not a fan of mosquito dunks as I have a large collection and dunking is not an option. Since those pellets break up and float, pouring while watering also is ineffective, at least in my experience.

Thanks, I just e-mailed the seller again since 4 o the plants are in smaller pot sizes than listed.

Granted pot size means nothing with regards to orchid size, but when selling based on pot size, you are indirectly indicating the size of the plant. If the pot is smaller, people think the plant is smaller. Sometimes that's the case, sometimes not, but worth inquiring about.

I agree and one was supposed to be in spike and bud and isn't in addition to a smaller pot size.

The one that irks me the most is the Sogo Grape 'Y&N', it was supposed to be in a six inch pot and is in a four inch. It isn't huge and was described as big. It was $45

I just added pictures of the Sogo Grape