I've got a Dracaena that I haven't watered since May, and surprisingly, the soil is still wet! It's in a planter with plenty of drainage holes but no tray. Normally, I wouldn't worry since it's growing well with vibrant lemon-lime leaves and a healthy white root structure. However, I'm currently battling a frustrating infestation of fungus gnats. I've been trying to starve them out by not watering, but the soil just won't dry out. It's not lack of airflow in my office since I have several other plants that dry out just fine. What's going on here? I really want to keep my Dracaena, but the gnats are driving me crazy!
3 Answers
If the soil has been wet since May, something else might be watering it without you knowing. Even dense materials like peat moss don’t typically take that long to dry out! If you’re sure no one else is watering it, something’s off.
If your soil is taking so long to dry, you might want to think about repotting in a better draining mix. It sounds like the rest of your plants are doing fine, so it's odd that this one is different. If repotting isn’t an option and the plant is as healthy as it seems, you could try mosquito bits or bringing in beneficial insects like nematodes to help out with the gnats.
To tackle those fungus gnats, consider using BT (Bacillus thuringiensis). It targets the larvae of bugs like gnats and is effective when sprayed on the soil weekly until they’re gone. It's generally quick—usually only needing a couple of applications. Just a heads-up, it might have a bit of a smell for a while and won’t kill the adult gnats immediately!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Great tip! If you're in Europe and can’t find BT, consider using nematodes instead. Just make sure to choose the right type; you’ll find info online!