As if out of nowhere, the shoots and leaves of orchids are covered in sticky droplets, as we know from resinous trees. There are various causes that cause this phenomenon. Find out what they are here.
Why do orchids resin and what can you do about it?
Orchids “grow resin” due to unsuitable site conditions or an unbalanced water balance. To remedy this, site conditions should be optimized and the water supply adjusted. Sticky drops can be carefully wiped off.
Drop formation signals location problems
Experts cite an unsuitable location as the most common cause of the sticky water drops. Temperature fluctuations of more than 5 degrees Celsius, bright sunlight, cold drafts or dry heating air cause stress on orchids. In response, the plants secrete fluid to create balance. Therefore, check the site conditions if orchids appear to be resinous. In these positions the plants stop forming drops again:
- Bright place at the west or east window, without direct sun
- Warm temperatures of 20 to 28 degrees in summer and not below 16 degrees in winter
- High humidity of 60 to 80 percent
- In winter a place at the south window to compensate for lack of light
It is primarily Phalaenopsis orchids that produce resin when the location is stressed. Although the robust butterfly orchids from the supermarket are quite easy to care for, they cannot tolerate extreme fluctuations in light and temperature conditions.
Imbalanced water balance triggers guttation
Botanists refer to the excretion of resin-like drops as guttation when the orchid reacts in this way to waterlogging. If the pores (stomata) are closed at night, no compensatory perspiration occurs. In its distress, the orchid squeezes excess water out through stomata as a valve, which can be seen in the sugary drops on leaves and shoots.
If you can identify this cause as the trigger for a resinous orchid, repot the plant promptly into dry orchid soil (€7.00 at Amazon). From now on, limit your water supply to dipping the root ball in soft water once or twice a week and spraying the orchid daily.
Tip
With resin-like drops, an orchid draws attention to problems in the early stages. The sticky excretions themselves do no harm to the plant. Simply wipe off the drops with a damp cloth. Simply spray off the strong foliage of a Phalaenopsis.