sticky substance

[catweazle1962]

hi we seem to be getting split leaves on a phal orchid and it seems to be getting some sort of sticky substance on the edge of the leaves , has this plant caught some sort of bug thanks

[butterfly_muse]

I don't really know, but I'd read this, it might help (just because I know the sticky dew like residue is a product of scale):
Sticky Residue on Houseplant You May Have Scale

[wuness]

I would say this is definitiely not a scale issue. Scale and mealy bugs settle down and stay for awhile on plants. No scale is visible here. Also, the regular distribution of the sap suggests scale is not the issue. Many orchids produce nectar on various parts of the plant besides the flower. In the wild, this is typically used to attract ants which then protect the plants from plant-eating insects like beetles and thrips. I'm don't know what is happening here specifically, but I would bet there is no "bug" involved. In other plants you see something like this as a way of relieving fluid pressure in the leaf, a process called guttation. The worst that can happen is you eventually will see a sooty mold growing on the areas.

wuness

[catweazle1962]

hi would this problem to due to over watering as we are only watering and feeding when the plant pot is light thanks

[wuness]

As I mentioned about guttation, it's an "outlet" for excess water in various non-orchids. Although this looks like guttation, that fact that it has the consistency of nectar is problematical for me. It could still be due to extrafloral nectaries located on the leaf edges, and therefore "designed" to attract ants, but I don't recall seeing it in orchids to nearly this extent. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it. The fluid can be easily removed with a damp cloth. Your orchids look perfectly fine. Keep doing what you're doing.

wuness

[RosieC]

I agree with everyone that you don't have bugs and whatever has caused it doesn't seem to be a problem.

I don't know what has caused it but I've had something similar sometimes.

[Myrle Diefendorf]

Taste the substance. It is probably a sweet nectar like substance which sometimes comes out on leaves or flowers.

[Wynn Dee13]

My two NoID Phals secrete this sticky substance too. It's normal if there is no bugs. My plants usually secrete it on the underside of the leaf mostly around the edges of the leaf just like yours is doing. Good luck! Don't worry if you don't see bugs. Cattleyas do this on new growths too.