Condensation on my Cattleya's newest pseudobulb

[cabbit]

This feels like a silly question, but I'm already here typing so I suppose I'll ask it. I keep on seeing drops of water, kind of like dew, on the new growth of my cattleya. It's not because of watering, I know that much, because whether I've watered recently or not it just keeps on happening. And it really is only the new pseudobulb that's affected, I've checked.

I'm not really too concerned about it, but I am curious. Is it because of the humidity in the air (and why, then, is only one part of the plant affected?). Is it just something that happens occasionally? Or could it be some sort of rot that's created more moisture on that part of the stem? (if that is the case, I AM concerned)

I'd love to know what's causing this if anyone has any ideas

[DirtyCoconuts]

pbulb or flower?

i have seen lots of flower spikes make sweet nectar as they grow but i don't know that i have seen it on a new growth.

is it there any evidence of scale or honeydew (from the insect residue)?

[cabbit]

It's definitely the pseudobulb

Actually, pests could make sense. I hadn't noticed anything when I repotted, but I'm new to Catts and to orchids in general so I wouldn't be surprised if I missed something. If there are pests though it's not immediately obvious and I peeled the sarong off, so that's one less hiding place.

I'll have to watch some videos on it and see if I can find anything

[estación seca]

Cattleyas normally make drops of sugar water on new growths. In less humid environments it evaporates too fast for people to notice. The guess is it attracts ants that defend the plant.

Don't peel stem bracts (sheaths) from new growths until they're brown and papery dry. Too easy to damage new growth. The plant makes them for a purpose.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by cabbit

This feels like a silly question, but I'm already here typing so I suppose I'll ask it. I keep on seeing drops of water, kind of like dew, on the new growth of my cattleya. It's not because of watering, I know that much, because whether I've watered recently or not it just keeps on happening. And it really is only the new pseudobulb that's affected, I've checked.

I haven't seen on a pseudobulb myself, but - like DC and all - have seen it on flower spikes and flower buds.

Somebody did report the sap/nectar or sticky clear substance on their catts in the past though ---- Click Here.

Warning - one person was prompting somebody to 'taste' it, which is NOT a good idea in my mind. I have heard of cases where people can get into nasty trouble by tasting stuff that they shouldn't - ignoring common sense. For example - could pick up botulism, and end up in deep trouble.

I think earlier this year - in Australia - somebody dared a guy to eat a gecko. That guy didn't make it (after eating the gecko).

[cabbit]

I'm glad to know it's probably normal

And I'll make sure I don't lick it, or decide to eat small reptiles

[Roberta]

SP, I have tasted the "honeydew" that orchids secrete, and it is sweet and lovely. And I'm still standing... remember, sugar is what plants make when they photosynthesize. When in rapid growth, they may make more than they need, and some collects on the surface. As long as it doesn't attract bugs, it is quite harmless. (Ants "farm" aphids which drill into the plant, collect the juices and excrete much more honeydew, the ants love that. So keep ants out of the plants. Because aphids are bad news)

As for the idiot who ate an innocent gecko on a dare, I don't feel sorry for him... He gets a Darwin award for removing himself from the gene pool thereby improving it.

[JScott]

Originally Posted by Roberta

SP, I have tasted the "honeydew" that orchids secrete, and it is sweet and lovely. And I'm still standing... remember, sugar is what plants make when they photosynthesize. When in rapid growth, they may make more than they need, and some collects on the surface. As long as it doesn't attract bugs, it is quite harmless. (Ants "farm" aphids which drill into the plant, collect the juices and excrete much more honeydew, the ants love that. So keep ants out of the plants. Because aphids are bad news)

As for the idiot who ate an innocent gecko on a dare, I don't feel sorry for him... He gets a Darwin award for removing himself from the gene pool thereby improving it.

LOL I taste the honeydew sometimes too. I'm glad I'm not the only one But it's normal on new growths and flower spikes, and nothing to worry about. Ants are attracted to it, but they won't harm the plant as long as they are not farming aphids, and then it's really the aphids harming the plant, not the ants, but you'll have to get rid of the ants to get rid of the aphids (although sometimes the pots make an ideal environment for an ant nest. When I bring my plants inside for the winter, I always have a few pots with ants living in them, but I just take the plant, submerge it to the top of the pot in a bucket of water, then put a stick or something leaning from the pot to the edge of the bucket to make like a bridge. Leave it like that overnight. The ants will grab as many larvae as they can, and evacuate the pot in search of dry ground. Sometimes not all of the ants will find the bridge and will congregate at the leaf tips, or whatever the highest point on the plant is, but you can just spray those guys off with a jet of water. It usually works the first time, but occasionally I have to do it twice). Sorry, I got a little off topic there with the ants, but the point is that yes, honeydew is normal on healthy plants, and yes it tastes lovely.

[orchitech]

Actually, that is nectar. I have read that is common in plants making more food than they need and conversely that it is bad because the plant is not able to store all the food it is making.
I think it is a mechanism of the plant to protect itself. The sugary exudate brings ants and I have see lizards drinking that sugary liquid. Exudate is almost present in new flowers and seedpots, so are the ants protecting their new food supply.
I think is a symbiotic relation plant/insect.
Try some. It taste like sugar.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I have ants on every plant I have (except the indoor ones) and there are no aphids. That’s because i also have lady bugs and lizards and they make sure everything is in balance.

I don’t want to derail but it’s why I don’t use insecticide or fungicide. The unintended casualties can be too great.