Hey everyone! I recently got a cinnamon cactus from Home Depot, but it came with some pesky fungus gnats that have now spread to my mistletoe cactus. To manage the issue, I've stopped watering all my cacti but I'm worried about my mistletoe cactus since it needs water every couple of weeks. I decided to add a layer of aquarium sand on top of the potting soil and it seems to have worked, as the gnats have disappeared! However, I'm concerned if the aquarium sand might harm my plants. Is this a good solution to my fungus gnat problem, or should I be worried about the effects on my cacti?
2 Answers
Using aquarium sand seems to be a clever solution! Since it's mainly silica, it shouldn't harm your plants. In fact, it can help with drainage and reduce moisture at the surface, which makes it less attractive for those gnats. Just keep an eye on your mistletoe cactus and ensure you’re watering it as needed beneath the sand layer. Might be a great way to keep your plants healthy while managing those pests!
I’ve had a similar experience with fungus gnats before. Layering sand can indeed be effective, but just make sure the layer isn’t too thick as it might impact your watering. If everything seems fine with your plants, it sounds like you might have found a good balance!
Totally! Just ensure the bottom soil stays moist enough for the mistletoe cactus.
Thanks for the reassurance! I’ll be sure to monitor the moisture levels.