If your orchid has dark brown to black sticky, wet looking spots on the foliage and stems, this could be a sign of a serious bacterial infection. Infected plant tissues can be taken or sent to your local extension office for an exact diagnosis. However, there is no treatment for bacterial infections of orchids.
Among them there are quite harmless ones:
The natural process of flower nectar formation. Usually, sticky spots on the foliage and trunk form on young flowers. And in this case, there is no danger to the plant. The resulting liquid will also not bring harm. Another harmless reason why orchid leaves become sticky is over-fertilization combined with watering. If you adjust the feeding and watering, the plant will recover.
The reasons orchid leaves become covered in sticky sap are 1) the blossoming flowers produce honeydew that drips on the top leaf, 2) excretions that are left behind by insects such as aphids, mealybugs, and scale, and 3) the natural tendency for the orchid to neutralize hydration pressure by releasing water which contains sucrose.
Another frequent query is “Should you be concerned about sticky leaves on orchids?”.
Lets figure it out! as I said, there is no reason to be concerned. That sticky stuff found on orchid’s leaves is often a sign of pests, more precisely, the secretions of aphids, mealybugs or scale insects. However, if you notice any sticky substance on orchids, you should better investigate all the plant for insects.
One more inquiry we ran across in our research was “What causes brown spots on orchids?”.
When aphids or mealybugs feed on your orchids, they excrete a sugary, sticky substance called honeydew. As this liquid drips onto plant parts, it promotes the growth of a dark fungus called sooty mold, resulting in the appearance of brown sticky spots .
What is wrong with my honeydew orchid?
Honeydew is prone to sooty mold, which will form gray to brown sticky, slimy patches on orchid foliage. Sooty mold is a fungal infection that can cause significant damage if left untreated. Aphids, mealybugs, and scale can also cause great damage and even death to infected orchid plants.
What does it mean when an orchid has a white coating?
White Sticky On Orchids A white sticky coating can affect a flower in two cases: the plant has caught an infection or it has been attacked by pests. Both the first and the second are extremely dangerous for the orchid: it can quickly kill it. Treating such ailments is also quite difficult.
Why are my leaves sticky on the bottom?
Sometimes, the sticky substance spreads to the juncture of where a blossom stem meets the main stem. However, sticky leaves are somehow normal. Except for when is not associated with an insect infestation. Thus, there are some situations where the appearance of a sticky substance or honeydew is due to the secretions of an insect.