pill's Profile

A number of people have pointed out that the problem is with fungus in the soil, and the gnats like the fungus. But nobody has a solution for getting rid of the fungus, aside from getting rid of all the soil.

Your plant has been innoculated with the fungus. It will not go away. Ever. And your watering habits (like mine) are encouraging it to grow.

Fungus in the soil is not bad, per se, except when it's not balanced by soil bacteria. Given the sterile stuff we usually plant our plants in, or the chemicals we spray on after, it's probably missing or underrepresented.

Amending your potting soil with worm castings would help. Compost tea, too, if you have a source. The simplest thing to do to make your plants happier, though, is to dissolve a couple teaspoons of black strap molasses into your watering can (I use a cup of hot water for this). In addition to providing micronutrients, the sugar helps kick start the bacteria in the soil.