sticky drops on phal

[Rainshadow]

I found this in the archives but am not sure if it was described as a problem or not.

I confess, I had this on a different phal last year and threw it out. It only affects one leaf, clear, sticky drops on the underside and an oozing spot on an upper edge. It also has a little scalloped spot on the leaf edge that looks like a small bite but isn't. I don't know if that is related or it got bumped, the other one had it too. This plant was fine until I left town for a few days and probably left it too wet and cold and dark. The pot is a little too large, a full 6" because it had too many roots to easily fit back into a 5.5" when I gave it new bark last summer. I did put some good sized slits up the side.

Is it a fungal or bacterial disease? I thought if it was just getting rid of a little excess water it would be on more than one leaf. Also wondering about cyclamen mites. I kept the other plant for nearly a year hoping it would recover in the warmer summer, no luck but it never spread beyond the single leaf. When I tried to find info when I had the other one I found a reference to a weird disease that may or may not be a virus? Do any virus do this ?

I really like this plant, its just a Noid but one of the hybrids with clear yellow, waxy flowers and is faintly scented. I was also wondering about its spikes. It looks like it has a persistent spike but makes a new one every year instead of flowering on the old one, humidity too low? It has a new one coming now. I will be very crushed if this is a virus but I'd rather know than infect anything else.
thanks, Rainshadow

[Bud]

Its easier to help you if you posted pictures. What is your growing zone in the USA?

[isurus79]

Those sticky little spots are the sure sign of a happy, healthy, actively growing plant!! Don't throw it away!! Actually, if you lick them, they are very sweet and taste sugary.

[flhiker]

From what I have read it is a plant that has extra nutrients and it turns it into sugar. Definitely don't throw them out. You should be rewarded with a fantastic show next blooming.

[Rainshadow]

Thanks for the responses, I've had drops of sap on spikes before but still can't understand why it would only appear on only one leaf??? Maybe it has something to do with the way the light is hitting it or leaf temp? I tried wiping it with cotton and didn't see any red specks but don't know how I would only have mites on one leaf either. it may just have been that I watered it a little more heavily than I normally do...happy to hear its not circling the drain.

Bud, I live in zone 6b, I don't think it got cold enough to really damage it, just offended it slightly.

Great photos Steve, loved that Rhyncholalia. You must be a Marine Biologist.

thanks again, Rainshadow

[Starla]

OH GREAT!! I was wondering what on earth the little clear droplets were on my phal spikes! Happy to know they are a good thing!

xx