When to use the bug killer?

[Blondie]

I was watering my brassia in a bucket tonight and when I pulled it out of the water, I saw one, only one, little gnat thing crawling on the inside edge of the pot. Should I spray the roots with bug killer or am I being paranoid? (first orchid)

[Oscarman]

Do you mean a fungus gnat......I don't spray for them, I use yellow sticky pads to capture them. In a days you will have caught most of the flying adults.

[Dorothy]

Get the bazooka!
What kind and how old is your medium ?..
It might also be a bark decomposing critter ..
They are harmless to the plant but they just 'bug' me.
I would repot my plant if I find them amongst the roots.

[Blondie]

The bark looks old, so I'm going to repot soon, but I was told not to repot when the orchid is actually flowering because that might upset it. Yes? No? That was from a random flower shop guy over the phone who was clearly peeved that I was so ignorant. The bark does appear to be decomposing. The plant has only been with me for a month or so, but it was raised at Hausermann's in IL (FANTASTIC GREENHOUSE!!!!).

I will keep an eye out for any additional bugs. I'm not sure what kind of gnat it was, but it was just little and black with wings. I had some in my other plant from overwatering and I killed them with some basic bug spray for indoor plants. Is that what I should use on the orchid (if needed) or is there special "orchid" bug spray...?

[Dorothy]

Root jumpers don't have wings so it' is something else .. hold off on repotting .. since it is unnecessary at this time.
I'd go with Oscarman's suggestion.
Good Luck!

[cb977]

I repot everything, no matter what it's doin, the minute it gets home so I am aware of what's happening underneath.

Since you say the bark looks old, I'd repot.

As for the gnats, I'm with Dave...those yellow sticky pads are wonderful! In a few days, they're pretty yucky but they're cheap enough to replace without shedding a tear

[Dorothy]

Not wanting to confuse you, I have repotted orchids in bloom the very reason Sue has said. The reason why I said to hold off on repotting at this time is because you said the bark doesn't seem to be decomposing. It is your call though.

[Ross]

Don't Panick! I live with flies from fungus gnats all the time when I get a new bunch of orchids in. The yellow sticky pads or old fashioned fly paper works great to break the cycle. The flies are only out for a day or so and disappear. The gnat larvae are down in the bark and working on consuming the rotting bark - not your plant. Kill off the adults and you eventually get the population.

As for repotting, I also repot everything just to inspect the root system, but, barring insects like aphids on the blossoms, I rarely repot an orchid I bought in bloom. I recommend sitting back and enjoying your orchid and when the last spent blossom falls off, cut the old spike then repot. Be careful with Brassias not to overpot, though. Leave just enough room for the next growth(s) to mature.

[justatypn]

Those pesty gnat's get you when you least expect it..but my question is I get them even after a fresh repot. I have grouped my jewels and within a week they appeared and they just love to spread those wings...nasty buggers. So I am thinking it's not only decay it's the moisture as well.

I love it Dorothy, bringing out the heavy artillary

[MARY MIHIYLOV]

HI, WHERE WOULD ONE GET THESE YELLOW STICKY PADS?, THANKS!!