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Invisible pest? I need help

15 years ago

I recently received three phals, they all looked great. So I get home tonight and realize that one of my larger tropical trees and two hibiscus are in serious trouble. Everything is indoors and I'm in michigan, keep in mind. So whatever i'm infested with came in on an orchid.

On the bottom of each leaf of the hibiscus there is a drop of water, on the other plant all of the leaves are mottled with drops of what appear to be water on every leaf top and bottom.

But there are no visible pests--I was thinking mealybugs or something. But even with a jewlers loupe I can't see anything moving. One of the orchids has a simaler dew drop on the tender part of the spike.

Any advice? I'm going to pick up some sort of spray tomorrow and take care of it after work.

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Comments (6)

joopitr
Original Author
15 years ago
ok, well I just sprayed everything with an insecticidal soap. Hopefully that keeps whatever this is under control until tomorrow. I think it's mealybugs, I saw a white powder like stuff on the tips of a few leaves.
vtandrea
15 years ago
In this part of the country hibiscus plants often get aphids, but those you can see. Is it possible you are seeing the honeydew secreted by mealbugs or scale?
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cjwatson
15 years ago
Many tropical plants drip water from their leaves normally, most noticeable in the early morning hours. It is part of their respiratory mechanics. It's especially common with Philodendron vines and Ficus trees which are well watered.

Phals putting out drops of nectar on their spikes is also normal and just shows a healthy, happy plant. Many believe it is designed to attract ants, lizards and other predators to the spike thereby protecting it from less than friendly herbivores. In my greenhouse, orchid flower spikes with their little drops are regularly checked out by anoles and geckos for a sugary treat.

I don't think you have anything wrong with any of your plants at this point, but you should watch your tropicals for signs of spider mites during the dry winter; they are fairly common on all houseplants during that time of the year. The symptom will be tiny webs on the sticky undersides of the leaves, the stickiness caused by plant fluids leaking out from the perforations made in the leaf by the mites.

Good luck with your new orchids!
julysun
15 years ago
Sider Mites can be detected with a sheet of white paper. Hold the sheet under a leaf or two then tap the leaf/branch several times sharply. Carefully lay the paper down and circle each dot/spot with a pen. Leave there for several min. If the spots move out of the circles you have mites!
joopitr
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the great info. cjwatson, I am hoping that your right.I wasn't aware of the drops of nectar on the flower spikes. I love it that you have geckos and anoles in your greenhouse. I have geckos in vivariums :) I live in michigan though.

Everything is doing fine, think I just freaked out. But on the upside, the spray took care of the fungus gnats :)
laura1
15 years ago
I've seen the same thing as cjwatson...the water/dew dripping from leaves. IMHO I don't think the orchids have anything to do with the other tropical plant problems. I would be concerned about leaves that are mottled. That sounds like over watering.
In general I'm impressed that you can grow those plants inside! Good for you!

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