gnats

[Kornbred]

So i recently started a new plant (others died ..). I germinated the seed in paper towels, put root sprout in a small container with potting soil and watered enough to dampen the soil daily until it got about 3 inches tall and transplanted to an actual pot with soil and manure compost (about 3 days in the little container). Well before transplant the 2 first leaves had a slight burn look to the tips of them. Day after transplant more burn/dry look on 2 first leaves, new growth fine. Well today (2nd day after transplant) first 2 leaves are yellowish almost all the way to stalk of plant, new growth leaves are still green. However i noticed 2 tiny winged bugs that look like gnats crawling on the soil. I watered the soil upon transplant but not since. Soil is still wet but i so have a fan on the little plant and have drilled holes all around the pot to help the soil dry (lost first plants due to soil not wanting to dry). What should i do?

[Aloner]

First question: what kind of potting soil? Second question: if you check it, what is the pH of your water?

[Kornbred]

I dont remember the brand but it was a middle ish value from lowes. Got some perlite or w/e to help the drainage. Its got small amounts of charcoal for cleaning or w/e (which came in the soil) and mixed with manure. And i did not check ph this time as i didnt really have all that ready. But its the first actual watering its had. I did pay attention to ph on the dead plants before they died. But those had some dollar store soil with some mulch chips to help drainage. However they didnt really drain well so they all got root rot and died. I mean that stuff stayed wet for over a week sometimes. Even the top 2 inches would be wet like 5 days later.

[Aloner]

I asked about the soil because some brands (like Miracle Gro) have nutrients in them that can burn your plant (GWE on soil). The pH thing can be an issue -- I messed my plants up in the beginning by not adjusting (they came back fine, though). It could also be that you're still watering too often -- every day is more than they should need. Let it dry out more before adding water.

One thought occurs to me: when you're talking about the "first leaves", are you referring to the round ones (the cotyledons) or the first "true" leaves with serrated edges? Because those round leaves are just what feeds the plant until it can get photosynthesis going. They usually yellow and shrivel as the plant uses them up.

Also, I hope the fan is not directly blowing on your plant because that can cause problems, too.

All this is just general troubleshooting; without clear pictures it's difficult to know what's going on.

Bug-wise, if they're fungus gnats you could get some diatomaceous earth if letting your soil dry out doesn't help.