223
Sticky drops on an orchid is a common phenomenon that all orchid owners have encountered. If you find sticky drops, you need to pay attention to the health of the plants.
Causes of appearance
Sticky drops appear not only on the leaves, but also on the flower stalks. The main reasons for their appearance include:
- Pest bites. This reason is dangerous, so you need to try to eliminate it first. Many sucking parasites secrete a sweet nectar that remains on the leaf. The most common pests include: aphids, scale insects and mites.
- Extrafloral nectar. The plant secretes sweet drops to attract pollinating insects. Nectar is not only in orchids, but also in other plants.
- Guttation This is a physiological process in which the plant independently secretes a liquid on the surface of its leaves. If the plant receives more water, then excess moisture begins to appear on the leaves.
To get rid of sticky drops, you first need to determine the reason that caused them to appear.
Ways to eliminate sticky drops
If necessary, sticky spots can be simply washed off with water, but this will not solve the problem. In order to get rid of this phenomenon forever, it is necessary to improve the conditions for keeping the orchid.
Each type of orchid requires special care and maintenance rules. The following recommendations will help improve the conditions for keeping plants:
- Illumination. Light is the main source of energy for this plant. Its intensity depends on a number of factors. The length of the day also plays an important role. Florists claim that each variety of orchid has its own light limits.
- Temperature mode. Depending on the temperature regime, orchids can be divided into 3 main types. Varieties suitable for a moderate temperature regime are considered to be less picky. The temperature should be between +16 and +28 degrees.
- Watering Water is also an important component for normal orchid growth. If the amount of moisture does not meet the needs of the plant, sticky drops may appear on the surface of the leaves.
These are the main factors that need to be taken into account to ensure optimal conditions for the orchid. The following factors also cause the appearance of sticky drops:
- air humidity;
- hard water;
- poor ventilation.
Air humidity may be slightly lower than what is needed for optimal plant growth. The temperature should always correspond to the norm, as problems may arise.
Orchid feeding
Many beginners often make mistakes and regularly feed orchids. However, these efforts often lead to a negative result. If plants are oversaturated with nitrogen fertilizers, the following problems may arise:
- immunity is lost;
- fabrics begin to crack;
- the plant is often attacked by pests.
To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to use only balanced complexes that will not cause any harm. Orchids need fertilizer only in spring or autumn.
