Stick substance formed on Vanda spikes

[Chatbud]

Gee, I asked this on another forum and was told this came from aphids?? And was told to treat my vanda.

This was newly purchased from a local nursery just last Sunday.

I had looked very closely at the buds and I do not see stuff crawling on it or ants racing up and down the spikes.

Is it possible this honeydew/nectar is self-producing??

[lambelkip]

Yes, Vandas (and many other orchids) will form a sticky substance on the spikes. It is not a sign of insect infestation.

[Chatbud]

Oh, that was quick reply.
Thank you, lambelkip

Felt better.

The local nursery has multiple pots of this vanda and every single plant is sending out at least 2 spikes. I remembered looking very closely and did not notice any nectar on the spikes when I was at the nursery.

I am going home to have a closer look.

I did some searches on the net and read that I should spray water on the buds to "de-concentrate" the nectar else the petals may all stick to one another and not fully open??

[RosieC]

Yeah, I've seen it on Vanda's and also sometimes on Phals as well. My Phal bellina always seems to have it around the spike when in spike.

It can be a sign of aphids and ants are attracted to it. But if there are no signs of bugs then it's probably just normal.

[WhiteRabbit]

I know that for Laelia anceps it is definitely recommended to wash away the sap with water, as they become especially sticky, and blooms may get stuck.

I've started to wash off sap from buds recently as my C intermedia had a fair amount of sap on buds. They opened fine, but there was a sticky mess on petals which also became discolored.

And on outside plants, sap may attract pests, and debris.

If there isn't a lot of sap, or buds with sap, you can also gently wipe it off.

[Chatbud]

I sprayed at the flower buds and managed to clear the honeydew.

The next day, ants started racing up and down the spikes.

I just had a look at the spikes and the honeydew is forming again.

The flower buds are getting bigger and the colour is slowly showing.

Thank you, everyone.