Good Morning!
I have had good luck growing the few succulents I have with passive - if not plain neglectful - ownership. I really love the hens & chicks that took off like gangbusters when I planted them outside on the East side of my home in Ga 7b.
So, i ordered a 5 plant sempervivum collection from Brecks who I have not had any issues with over the years. I received one each of: "Rita Jane," "Emerald Empress," "Green Wheels," "Red Rubin," & "Spumante."
I planted them right away into a large, draining pot with fresh potting medium recommended by them. It's a soil-less cactus mix of perlite, sand and small bark chip. I watered them lightly and let them be. Not long after that they developed what turned out to be fungus gnats that destroyed 2 of the plants. Following some online instructions Instructions I disposed of the soil and replanted the 3 that were left. Breck's was kind enough to replace the 2 that died. I also placed sticky traps around the plants to catch any future generations or attempts by the gnats to take over.
Being so worried about the gnats, I actually haven't watered them at all now. That worked for 2 of them (Rita Jane & Emerald Empress - pics attached) But yhe traps picked up more gnats and now 3 are dead and gone. No other succulents in my sunroom have gnats, they are all thriving. So I am lost as to what I should do. I know this can't be complicated because the others are growing well. Can someone tell me the basic rules of planting medium and watering cycle? Is this maybe a problem that developed at the nursery or did I do something specifically wrong to invite gnats?
I apologize for this being so long but I want to to be specific in order to help solve the problem. Thank you so much! Everyone here is always so very helpful.
