Iwan Appleblossom growths...sticky?
 

I have a new growth coming up on the back of each of the two largest bulbs of my Iwan Appleblossom. When I went to water it today, I noticed a few clear beads sitting on the growths, and when I touched one, it was some sort of sticky sap. What the heck is this? Is it normal?

This is my first catt, so I really don't know what to expect!

The stickyness can be a sign of certain sucking insect pests such as aphids who leave sticky secretions behind. On the other hand, nice clear little drops of 'honeydew' are rather common on new cattleya growths and on the flowers and inflorescences. Someone else may have a scientific explanation for it, but it may be to attract pollinating insects, or just because they are healthy and have enough moisture.

If you carefully inspect the plant and it is free of any disease or insects, I would say, it is because it is a robust healthy new growth.

Yep. I would do a check for bugs, and if there isn't any then there is no problem. The plants often excrete excess sugars in this way.

it depends some catts do it more then others i have one that everytime it makes a new growth it does that!

Well, I don't see any icky bugs, and the drops are nice and clear, so I am going to go ahead an assume it's just a happy, healthy plant. Yay! ;) Thanks.

I believe the plants secrete the sap to ensure that new bud tips don't dry out as only the cells at the tip are actively growing.

The sap (being sweet) also attracts insects like ants that will be a natural pesticide for the plant.