Sap on Phal Leaf -- Mites?

[vlhart]

Me again. New day, new problem.

I've got what I thought was a very healthy Phal that has been busy growing 3 new leaves and tons of roots. But yesterday I noticed little droplets of sticky sap on the underside of the leaves. When I moved the leaf to see better, the leaf bruised where I gently bent it.

Looking into the base of the leaves I see a few small white bugs moving around, hardly visible to the eye. No webs I can see so I'm not thinking spider mites, but is it possibly the Phal mite?

From what I've read, wiping the leaves with alcohol regularly is a way to contain this issue. But what have you guys tried that works?

Pictures here of the leaves:

[lepetitmartien]

Nothing it's normal…

You can remove the dry sap in case… If it gets wet, it may host fumagine.

For your white bugs, certainly springtails… nothing to do save wtch out he potting mix, it may be rotting…

[vlhart]

Thanks for the response! Actually they aren't springtails in this orchid (though I have those too ).

I've read conflicting things saying that leaf sap is a sign of health or a sign of a pest. And after posting, I looked even closer in the light and there were about 100 super tiny white bugs on the newest leaf on this orchid that looked like they were feeding on the leaf. The leaves are also very thin and somewhat translucent--especially the newest.

I wiped the leaves with alcohol, not sure what to do next! All advice appreciated.

[Judi]

Normally if there are no bugs the sap is not an issue--more an indication the orchid is happy. But I wonder if the darker green areas on the leaf aren't possible tissue damage. There are a lot of white bugs that can damage an orchid. I would wipe the leaves with rubbing alcohol and after it is dry spray the entire plant with a cinnamon spray. I have successfully used Bud's recipe but be sure to use cinnamon extract and NOT cinnamon powder.

Bud’s Cinnamon Orchid Bug Control

10 drops of dish soap (any kind)
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon extract(find it in the supermarket aisle with vanilla and almond extract McKormick is the brand I saw)
2 cups of tepid water from the sink
mix it and spray the whole plant then soak the pot in a basin of this mix for 5 min

repeat it the next week...have 2 weeks rest and then repeat it again for 2 weeks until the bugs are all gone

[LisaK]

I maybe having the same issue, but I have been unable to find bugs. I have noticed sap on the underside of leaves on mine. When they ooze sap do they leave tissue damage like in this picture? I would post my picture, but it won't let me since I'm new.

Thank you Judi for the mixture. I was going to make my own but guessed that I would use the powder not the extract.

[euplusia]

Mites are uncommon on Phalaenopsis, but I would closely examine for mealybugs and scale.

[vlhart]

I think mine are possibly mealy bugs? I occasionally see one or two bugs on the leaf that's the most sappy. I still can't tell if the sap is natural and the bug is attracted to it (there are also a few ants around and I've never seen an ant in the apartment) or if the bug is the cause.

The leaves do seem to have tissue damage but at the same time the orchid is putting out new leaves and roots like crazy so it also seems to be weathering it all ok.

I've been wiping the bugs off with alcohol solution when I see them but one of these days I'll get around to making Bud's spray which is probably gentler.

Good luck with yours LisaK!

[euplusia]

In case of mealybug infection I'd be alarmed, because the larvae are crawlers and hide everywhere. Once established, they are difficult to get rid of. So you better move the plant to a distant place and spray with an effective insecticide.

[LisaK]

vlhart,

What is Bud's spray? I hope we both save our plants!

Lisa

[vlhart]

Just the cinnamon spray Judi mentioned in her post. Looking forward to trying that.