On returning from 2-week vacation, I notice one of my phals has sticky
stuff on it. Mostly on the stalks but a little on the leaves. It is
clear, like a sugar syrup or something, but extremely sticky. Don't see
any evidence of bugs or other living creatures.

Aside from this, this phal seems to be doing remarkablly well. It is
sprouting two new stalks and produced two new leaves while we were away.
It looks extremely healthy (esp. when compared with my other plahs which
are looking rather sick frankly).

Someone suggested that thriving orchids produce honeydew. Could this be
what it is? If so, do I need to do anything?

Norma in Ottawa
still in a time-warp after getting back from vacation

Norm,

That's probably a good assessment, and nothing to worry about. However, it
CAN attract ants that will bring other critters with them, so some folks
prefer to use a damp paper towel to remove it.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Nell" wrote in message
...
On returning from 2-week vacation, I notice one of my phals has sticky
stuff on it. Mostly on the stalks but a little on the leaves. It is
clear, like a sugar syrup or something, but extremely sticky. Don't see
any evidence of bugs or other living creatures.

Aside from this, this phal seems to be doing remarkablly well. It is
sprouting two new stalks and produced two new leaves while we were away.
It looks extremely healthy (esp. when compared with my other plahs which
are looking rather sick frankly).

Someone suggested that thriving orchids produce honeydew. Could this be
what it is? If so, do I need to do anything?

Norma in Ottawa
still in a time-warp after getting back from vacation

Nell writes:
Someone suggested that thriving orchids produce honeydew. Could this be
what it is? If so, do I need to do anything?

Yes, they do, and it is perfectly normal. My epidendrum (flowering for
the second time this year, whee!) puts out vast amounts of sticky goo
around flowering time. I tend to get aphid problems because of the
goo, but a small amount of soapy water usually remedies that problem.

Geir

Thanks Ray and Geir for the speedy reply and the helpful advice. I shall
probably do something about it in the morning. My fear, I guess, was
that I had aphids which I understand also produce a similar substance.
However, I won't look for trouble where there isn't any and will just
enjoy this wondrous plant.
Cheers,
Norma

Geir Harris Hedemark wrote:
Nell writes:

Someone suggested that thriving orchids produce honeydew. Could this be
what it is? If so, do I need to do anything?


Yes, they do, and it is perfectly normal. My epidendrum (flowering for
the second time this year, whee!) puts out vast amounts of sticky goo
around flowering time. I tend to get aphid problems because of the
goo, but a small amount of soapy water usually remedies that problem.

Geir

Norma,

The aphids thing is part of the cycle that is possible:

The sweet substance produced by the plants attracts ants
The ants come, and set up shop with aphids
The aphids produce the honeydew which feeds that ants - at the expense of
the plant...

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Nell" wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...
Thanks Ray and Geir for the speedy reply and the helpful advice. I shall
probably do something about it in the morning. My fear, I guess, was
that I had aphids which I understand also produce a similar substance.
However, I won't look for trouble where there isn't any and will just
enjoy this wondrous plant.
Cheers,
Norma

Geir Harris Hedemark wrote:
Nell writes:

Someone suggested that thriving orchids produce honeydew. Could this be
what it is? If so, do I need to do anything?


Yes, they do, and it is perfectly normal. My epidendrum (flowering for
the second time this year, whee!) puts out vast amounts of sticky goo
around flowering time. I tend to get aphid problems because of the
goo, but a small amount of soapy water usually remedies that problem.

Geir

"Ray" writes:
The sweet substance produced by the plants attracts ants
The ants come, and set up shop with aphids
The aphids produce the honeydew which feeds that ants - at the expense of
the plant...

Huh?

The aphids hereabouts grow wings if the colony can't sustain itself
from what nourishment is around. Then they fly away, and every last
one seem to find my orchids. If I am able to catch it in the first
generation, the aphids also still have wings when I douse them with
soap suds.

I live in a second-floor flat, and I am pretty certain that there are
no ants around, especially not in the numbers needed to fill up my
orchids with aphids.

For an added bonus, add a number of wasps, bumblebees and bees to the
mix. That wouldn't be a problem if they could just find their way out
again. They tend to knock themselves silly on the windows and lie on
the floor, just waiting for someone with bare feet.

Does this mean that US-bred aphids cant fly?

Don't know what is worse - flying aphids or ants.

Geir

Aphids can fly alright, Geir. It's just that sometimes ants "farm" them in
order to get the sweet nectar they produce.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Geir Harris Hedemark" wrote in message
...
"Ray" writes:
The sweet substance produced by the plants attracts ants
The ants come, and set up shop with aphids
The aphids produce the honeydew which feeds that ants - at the expense
of
the plant...

Huh?

The aphids hereabouts grow wings if the colony can't sustain itself
from what nourishment is around. Then they fly away, and every last
one seem to find my orchids. If I am able to catch it in the first
generation, the aphids also still have wings when I douse them with
soap suds.

I live in a second-floor flat, and I am pretty certain that there are
no ants around, especially not in the numbers needed to fill up my
orchids with aphids.

For an added bonus, add a number of wasps, bumblebees and bees to the
mix. That wouldn't be a problem if they could just find their way out
again. They tend to knock themselves silly on the windows and lie on
the floor, just waiting for someone with bare feet.

Does this mean that US-bred aphids cant fly?

Don't know what is worse - flying aphids or ants.

Geir

Hmm. I understand. However, I should be safe since my phals are growing
on a bay window in my kitchen (on 2nd story of house) where no ants have
ever ventured, and I have hever had aphids on any of my houseplants so I
don't think there is much chance of cross-contamination. However, I
have given the phals a sponge bath today so the honeydew is gone, for now.
Norma

Ray wrote:
Norma,

The aphids thing is part of the cycle that is possible:

The sweet substance produced by the plants attracts ants
The ants come, and set up shop with aphids
The aphids produce the honeydew which feeds that ants - at the expense of
the plant...

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

. . . . . . . . . . .
"Nell" wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...

Thanks Ray and Geir for the speedy reply and the helpful advice. I shall
probably do something about it in the morning. My fear, I guess, was
that I had aphids which I understand also produce a similar substance.
However, I won't look for trouble where there isn't any and will just
enjoy this wondrous plant.
Cheers,
Norma

Geir Harris Hedemark wrote:

Nell writes:


Someone suggested that thriving orchids produce honeydew. Could this be
what it is? If so, do I need to do anything?


Yes, they do, and it is perfectly normal. My epidendrum (flowering for
the second time this year, whee!) puts out vast amounts of sticky goo
around flowering time. I tend to get aphid problems because of the
goo, but a small amount of soapy water usually remedies that problem.

Geir

Hmm. I understand. However, I should be safe since my phals are growing
on a bay window in my kitchen (on 2nd story of house) where no ants have
ever ventured, and I have hever had aphids on any of my houseplants so I
don't think there is much chance of cross-contamination. However, I
have given the phals a sponge bath today so the honeydew is gone, for now.
Norma

Ray wrote:
Norma,

The aphids thing is part of the cycle that is possible:

The sweet substance produced by the plants attracts ants
The ants come, and set up shop with aphids
The aphids produce the honeydew which feeds that ants - at the expense of
the plant...

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

. . . . . . . . . . .
"Nell" wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...

Thanks Ray and Geir for the speedy reply and the helpful advice. I shall
probably do something about it in the morning. My fear, I guess, was
that I had aphids which I understand also produce a similar substance.
However, I won't look for trouble where there isn't any and will just
enjoy this wondrous plant.
Cheers,
Norma

Geir Harris Hedemark wrote:

Nell writes:


Someone suggested that thriving orchids produce honeydew. Could this be
what it is? If so, do I need to do anything?


Yes, they do, and it is perfectly normal. My epidendrum (flowering for
the second time this year, whee!) puts out vast amounts of sticky goo
around flowering time. I tend to get aphid problems because of the
goo, but a small amount of soapy water usually remedies that problem.

Geir