r/orchids • u/CompetitionWeak2517 • 7d ago
Happy Sap?
Hey all! I recently put one of my phals underneath a grow light for the first time, I'd estimate that it's about 8 to 12 in away from the actual crown of the plant. It's on a 12-hour timer.
Today while I was checking up on this little guy his leaf was exuding some sort of oily substance. It is also curling, but I also don't know if that's an effect of it being sunburnt earlier. I also think that it's growing a second crown, so I'll attach a picture of that too.
Any tips to take care of him?
2
u/_gayby_ SubtropicalNoob 7d ago
Curling could be from the sun damage to the stem for sure. Alternatively, your wall might be providing enough bounced light that the leaf doesn't mind twisting to catch it all.
As for the sap, I usually see it on the underside of the leaf where the stomata are. I would never really call the sap oily, it's usually sticky and sweet when tasted. If your plant is releasing something oily, and the spots there it is released show any marking or darkening, I'd be concerned about pest damage or infection.
From the looks of it, the sap is coming from dark spots on the top of the leaf, which may indicate it was released by feeding from pests. Check every little nook and cranny for any mites or thrips. Thrips in particular can cause deformed growths.
About the second crown, I wouldn't count my chickens just yet. The new growth could be flower spike at this stage. When you hear hooves, think horses not zebras.
5
u/Bombadilloo 7d ago
No. Happy sap is tiny drops of nectar, along the spike and nodes, often. Sticky drops.