sticky patches on leaves

[SJT]

Hi
I'm new to the website, needed to see if i could get any help with my orchard....
I've kept orchards for about 4 years and still have my first one.
My orchard is currently not in flower but i've been noticing for few weeks that window sills had a lot of stick patches, at close inspection i realised it was coming from leaves.....i've cleaned them all with water as was unsure what else to use......i have had a new leaf growing & at moment sticky stuff hasn't come back..... although not convinced its vanished....
I think the orchard is a phal....i'm keeping it away from my other two pots just in case.
Has anyone got any idea what the sticky stuff is & do i need to throw it away?
Thanks

A happy orchid often exudes a honey-like substance. Some call it happy sap. On the other hand, mites can also cause stickiness. Take a moist cotten ball and run it over the underside of the leaves. If the ball has red or black specs on it, you may have a case of spider mites that you will have to treat. If the cotton ball is clean, rejoice. You're doing something right.

[mayres]

Also look for any white substance under the leaves. Mealy bugs can also cause your leaves to become sticky feeling as they suck out the plant juices. I agree that pests of some kind are most likely to blame. I have seen sticky "sap" on commonly on flower spikes and on leaves being attacked by critters. Look it over real good. If you have any pests you can wipe the leaves down with alcohol to rid most of them, but this will require constant vigilence for re-occurances. Another option would be some type of systemic like Bayer rose and houseplant spray "IF" pests do end up being the culprit. Hopefully I'm way off base and you will find nothing.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If it is mites, none of the systemics will do the job. Best bet to cover all possilities is to use neem oil. Spray all surfaces and some into the pot, then keep the plant out of strong light and heat. The cotton ball or white tissue rubbed under the leaves will show up red mites, but will not likely show up any of the other half dozen types. Cynthia

[SJT]

thanks for the replys....just had another inspection & i can see tiny brownish insects crawling up the leaves....they're minute....any ideas

[mayres]

I'll go with Cynthia's guess AND treatment

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Probably mites, and one of the larger types if you could see it. You should also spray every plant that has been near by the problem plant. You can assume that one or two bugs wandered around, and it only takes one. The nice thing about growing indoors is that once you get rid of the problem, the area should stay pest free until something comes in on another plant, or some how pests get walked in on clothing. Some people spray every new plant before introducing it into the collection.

I would use neem and retreat in another week or two. Cynthia

[pinkglitteryswan]

I bought a new Phal today and can see tiny pale brownish insects crawling around by the roots. There are a few sticky patches but the plant looks pretty healthy and happy and I can see new roots forming as well as lots of pretty pink flowers. Following the advice of another thread, I sprinkled cinnamon on top of the moss. Will this help if these little beasts are mites/mealy bugs?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Those bugs may be fungus gnats. They don't generally harm the plant, but it may be an indication that the mix is starting to degrade. Stickiness on the leaves is another matter, and should be watched to determine if it is normal occasional secretions, or a bug problem. Cynthia