Sticky leaves in phalaenopsis - diagnosis, treatment instructions for the disease

Flower lovers carefully care for their pets. However, even their orchids suffer from all sorts of ailments.

Among indoor orchids, phalaenopsis is considered the most disease-resistant variety. But he can not survive all.

In particular, gardeners are interested in an incomprehensible phenomenon - sticky drops on the leaves of the phalaenopsis. Why they arise, how they look in the photo, what to do to treat the disease - we will analyze all this in the article. We also recommend watching a useful video on the topic.

Where do the sweet droplets on the orchid come from?

Outwardly, they look like frozen dew drops on green leaves. They are transparent, have a sweetish taste, sticky to the touch. In fact, it is an extra-flowery nectar that appears on young shoots, bulbs, leaves. In this way, an orchid attracts insects that pollinate it.

Causes

Before you sound the alarm, you need to understand the reasons. The appearance of such a substance is due to several factors mutually exclusive of each other:

1. humid indoor air;
2. natural process;
3. excess watering;
4. glut of fertilizers;
5. powdery mildew;
6. attack of harmful insects.

In more detail about the diseases and pests of the Phalaenopsis orchid, as well as the treatment and care of the plant at home, we talked in a separate article.

When is stickiness not normal?

In the wild, orchids attract insects for pollination with sweet nectar.. This is a natural process for the formation of sticky drops, due to the processing of sugars inside the flower.

Also, sweet droplets play the role of baits for aphids and other pests that stick and cannot escape (for details on what pests of orchids are and how to deal with them, read here). And perhaps the reason lies in improper care, it is worth checking the temperature and humidity of the air and normalizing the frequency of irrigation.

Serious reasons for excitement are overfeeding with mineral fertilizers. A large amount of nutrients leads to an excess of sugars that phalaenopsis brings out. Also, spots appear on the leaves (to find out why there are spots on the leaves, stem, flowers of the Phalaenopsis orchid and how to treat the flower here). This is quite dangerous, because an excess of fertilizing entails the formation of rot, the death of a peduncle and sockets (how to save the neck from gray and root rot and what to do if the roots of the phalaenopsis orchid rot, read here).

Sticky leaves are the result of infection of a room orchid with harmful insects, in particular:

1. aphids;
2. scabbard;
3. whitefly;
4. tick;
5. the worm.

They can be detected with no armed gaze.

Sticky drops may be a symptom of powdery mildew (You can find out about the most common orchid diseases, as well as see the photo here, and from this article you will find out why leaf diseases occur and how to help the plant). White plaque is noticeable on the leaves, and black fungal sporulation on heavy stages.

Treatment according to cause

Before proceeding with active actions, it is worth understanding the causes and effects. Sticky drops are not always a negative indicator.

When attracting insects

If the plant is healthy, regularly blooms and develops, then there is no reason to worry. Sugar droplets in this case - a natural process of vital activity of an orchid, for luring pollinators. This is not scary for the plant; treatment to eliminate nectar is not necessary.

When protecting against pests

The flower produces nectar to protect it from pests.. Therefore, it is important to regularly inspect. If the plant is clean, juicy, then everything is in order. But insects do stick in a sweet substance, thereby harming the phalaenopsis. Or plant on the underside of the foliage and feed on its juice. The sticky layer is then a symptom of insect infection of the orchid.

What to do if insects appeared:

1. isolate a diseased plant;
2. remove insects with a cotton swab;
3. if necessary, trim the affected areas;
4. wash the leaves with a warm soapy solution;
5. treat the plant with an intoxicant solution;
6. reduce watering in the cold season.

Prevention:

1. 1 time in 2 weeks a flowerpot with an orchid should be lowered into the water, after adding there two Alirina-B tablets
2. regular washing of leaves and pot;
3. optimal temperature and humidity;
4. You can temporarily hang masking tape for flies.

With improper care

The sticky layer on the leaves also indicates adverse content parameters. A similar problem is observed if low humidity in the room, the presence of drafts, hypothermia of orchids, overfeeding with fertilizers.

Help:

1. optimization of temperature and humidity conditions;
2. moving the flower pot to the sunny side, without direct rays;
3. minimize watering in winter;
4. reduce the frequency and dosage of mineral fertilizers.

If it is powdery mildew

The cause for excitement is the presence of signs of powdery mildew.. Harbingers:

• sticky layer on the foliage;
• white plaque that spreads rapidly.

It is necessary to take emergency measures:

1. isolate a diseased plant;
2. rinse the orchid with warm water;
3. give time to dry;
4. to process the flower with the preparations "Aktara" and "Aktellik".

Prevention:

1. maintaining optimal humidity and temperature;
2. Avoid harsh temperatures and drafts;
3. water for irrigation use boiled or filtered.

Care

To avoid such unpleasant situations is possible only with proper care of the orchid:

• Maintaining a comfortable temperature in summer: + 22-25ºС, in winter + 16-18ºС. The difference in temperature differences should not exceed 5ºС.
• Lighting is required diffused, with a daylight duration of 14 hours. In summer, intense sunlight needs to be shaded.
• Humidity within 50-60%. Be sure to regularly ventilate the room.
• Choose a proven, high quality substrate.
• Water once a week with warm, soft water. At intervals, the soil should completely dry.
• Fertilize orchids 2 times a month, especially during the flowering period. Top dressing should be used with a predominant content of potassium and iron.
• Spraying phalaenopsis is up to 5 times a day. Exclude the procedure during the flowering period. Be sure to ensure that the water does not stagnate in the sinuses of the flower.
• Use drugs to enhance immunity.

Useful video

Watch the video about the causes of sticky drops on the orchid and ways to fix it:

Conclusion

In order not to resort to serious treatment, it is better to strengthen the plant, creating optimal conditions. Inspect regularly if droplets appear once, it’s okay to pay attention. Eliminate them with a cotton swab.

Watch the video: Signs of pests on Orchids (May 2024).