Question
Dear Darlene,
I bought a massangeana cane that has two stocks in the pot. I've had it for a bought 2 months. When I bought it it was georgous with no bugs. Now I have little black flying bugs in the soil. The bugs are not on the leaves. My plant is sitting on the opposite wall of the window(the west wall in my living room). It seem to be doing well as far as surviving. I think I gave it to much water because the bottom leaves started to yellow. I hope you can tell what to do. I don't want this one to die. Oh the plant is in a 8 inch pot.

Thank you,
Lucille Thomas  

Answer
Lucille,

Your overwatering has caused the insect problem. They are fungus gnats. They are there because the plant is being overwatered. Even when the surface of the soil feels dry there is a lot of moisture lower in the pot.

The ultimate solution is to allow the plant to get very dry between waterings. You can eliminate the bugs in the soil by watering the soil with straight rubbing alcohol. It will not hurt the roots of the plant and it will kill the insects on contact.

Then do not water the plant again until the soil feels dry and the pot feels light weight when picked up or tilted. Be sure to let it dry out betwen each watering. The roots of this plant need a breathing spell between waterings, it cannot sit in a constant swamp. Also 2 hours after you water the plant you should empty the drain tray by dumping it or suctioning it out with a turkey baster.

When you repot the plant add extra perlite to the soil mix, 1/2 soil/ 1/2 perlite. It will add more air spaces in the soil and make it drain better. If you keep it dryer the fungux gnats will not return. Do not repot before April 1st and do not move it to a pot larger than 10 inches. Good luck.

Darlene