Your problem child, the orchid, has another problem and you don't know what to do? If this problem is that the orchid leaves stick, this is not necessarily a cause for particular concern. Because the cause is not always a disease or a pest infestation, but rather a completely normal process of the plant, which you can and should stop. But why do orchids have sticky leaves and what can you do? We explain in which cases sticky leaves occur on orchids and why it is important to prevent fluid leakage.
Sticky leaves on orchids are completely normal
It doesn't matter whether you are with the orchidsstickyIf you have noticed drops on the leaves, flowers or flower shoots - if orchids become sticky, there is no reason to panic. The whole thing is called “resin”. But why does this happen?
It is a natural process for many plants to release moisture into the air. Droplets form. If the sugar content of the plant is very high, as is the case with Phalaenopsis, for example, these droplets are sticky. The edges of the leaves are particularly affected by this process. But orchids can also get sticky flower shoots whilein the event of a pest infestationglue the undersides of the leaves.
My orchids have sticky leaves - why does the plant do this?
There are various theories that try to explain this process of the plant. The following causes could cause sticky orchid leaves:
- The plant is stressed. Just as we humans can sweat more due to stress, plants do the same. Have you noticed the droplets in fall or winter? Then bigger ones couldTemperature fluctuations are the reasonbe. The orchid doesn't like this, which is why the differences between day and night should not exceed 5 degrees. In general, an unfavorable location is a major stress factor for the plant. Drafts can also cause fluid excretion, as can dryness and an environment that is too hot.
- Your orchid is too wet. The Phalaenopsis, like the other types of orchids, does not get waterlogged at all. This applies not only to too much water in the substrate, but also to excessive humidity. The flower can no longer transpire properly, but in order to ensure healthy exchange, it forces water through the stomata of the leaf, as a compensation and to get rid of the excess.
- It is infested with aphids. In this case, it is not the orchid itself that secretes the liquid, but rather the aphids injure the undersides of the leaves in order to get this juice. After consumption, you excrete it again and this causes orchids to have a sticky underside of the leaves. Scale insects also cause sticky plant parts.
What to do about the sticky orchid leaves?
If your orchids have sticky leaves - what's the best thing to do? Even if the sweet water droplets do not harm the plant itself, you should try to identify the cause and of course take action against it. This is the only way the flower can stop excreting. On the one hand, this is important to stop the stress so that she continues to stay healthy. On the other hand, only then can you prevent possible future problems. Because a weak plant will sooner or later get sick. Depending on the cause, you can do this:
Wipe or rinse
You have probably already noticed that white spots appear. The orchids develop white, sticky leaves when the excreted liquid dries. It's the sugar that shows. Since it is a little more difficult to wipe off when dry, you should regularly wipe the affected areas clean beforehand. This is very important because these sweet spots are nutrient rich andalso attract pests, which would be the real problem of fluid excretion.
Change location and watering quantities
If the location is the problem that causes sticky leaves on orchids, the solution is very simple: move your flower to a place wherethat meets your requirements. If you have overwatered it, the exotic plant needs new and, above all, dry substrate as quickly as possible. However, if it's just blooming, just wait, because it's not in a hurry yet. During flowering, repotting is only done in an emergency. Instead, simply stop watering immediately and temporarily until the substrate has dried sufficiently. Afterwards, water less frequently than before.
Fight pests
If you notice lice on orchids, treat them immediately by wiping the undersides of the leaves well. This not only removes one or two lice, but also the sweet liquid, which would otherwise only attract more lice. You should then isolate the Phalaenopsis so that the aphids do not spread to other plants.Fight such pestsThen spray them on the plants with a solution of one liter of water, one tablespoon of soft soap and one teaspoon of mineral spirits every 2 or 3 days.
