sticky substance on new growth

[oscar freak]

i noticed a sticky substance coming out of the new growth,is this something i should be worried about?

[Tschimm]

Could be guttation (ask Wikipedia for more information)
That would be a good sign and nothing to worry about

[Orchidsoutdoors]

It's a common feature on new growth, it seems to attract ants, which would be a good way of hiring protection from herbivorous insects.

[oscar freak]

Oh ok,i was worried there a bit

[wuness]

Orchidsoutdoors: Kudos for suggesting that extrafloral nectaries are a natural response likely used to attract ants for protective purposes. I have been campaigning for this interpretation for quite some time on several orchid forums.

wuness

[lepetitmartien]

As long as you don't see an evil bug of some sort chewing or sucking, or some black powder looking fungus, it's fine.

[Nepenthesguy]

Originally Posted by wuness

Orchidsoutdoors: Kudos for suggesting that extrafloral nectaries are a natural response likely used to attract ants for protective purposes. I have been campaigning for this interpretation for quite some time on several orchid forums.

wuness

Though I was the only one who noticed that! I've seen many of my plants (non-orchids) do secrete from extrafloral nectaries before/durring attacks. It is always fascinating to watch the troops patrolling the leaves and stems and then take a water break lol

[brianwstephens]

Photosynthesis creates sugar.

[Orchidsoutdoors]

Just an extrapolation based on what I see in the garden, with ants always standing guard on orchid shoots, flower buds and seed pods that secrete nectar - in Nepenthes, nectar drops are secreted to attract insects in order to catch them. It would be logical for orchids to attract ants as protection, not implausible given what myrmecophila do.

[Oscarman]

Originally Posted by Tschimm

Could be guttation (ask Wikipedia for more information)
That would be a good sign and nothing to worry about

Excellent addition to our OB Glossary. I will add it to the list.