Sticky residue on my Billie?
My Billie has some sticky residue on one of its leaves, it was watered a few days ago but these spots are sticky to the touch. It is on a recently new leaf. No other signs of pests, it looked like scale at first but doesn’t seem like scale. Anyone have experience with this? #Philodendron #billietiae #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #HappyPlants
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 year ago
19
Best Answer
Please don’t stress! This is highly common with philodendrons. They often release efn (extra floral nectaries) which is a sticky sap to attract ants. The ants will protect the plant from other pests! How cool 😊
Feel free to wipe it away with a damp cloth or paper towel. They can sometimes make small burn marks in the leaves when the sunlight shines through the sap. So wiping them down can prevent this 💕
Feel free to wipe it away with a damp cloth or paper towel. They can sometimes make small burn marks in the leaves when the sunlight shines through the sap. So wiping them down can prevent this 💕
@HoyaAddict I have it on a tension pole so I don’t think any ants could get to it? But I think it’s starting to burn those spots, it’s pretty close to a grow light. Thank you so much!
@kmaytender You’re so welcome 💚 my Micans and Billie love to make efn 😅 sometimes I let the ants come have a nibble lmao.
Hi Katie, the avatar says that you've had Billy for some time already. You're saying that the sticky residue is on one leaf. Have you seen these sticky spots before, or only just now?
I can see on the photo that these sticky dots are not only on a leaf itself, but also on a stem of a leaf.
Also, if your Philo was making sticky droplets before, were they as sticky, less sticky, or more sticky than these that you're talking about now?
I can see on the photo that these sticky dots are not only on a leaf itself, but also on a stem of a leaf.
Also, if your Philo was making sticky droplets before, were they as sticky, less sticky, or more sticky than these that you're talking about now?
@SvelteKingfern It’s efn. Here are some Billy pictures with the same thing. Yes they are also on petioles not just leaves. This is very common with philodendrons.
With all due respect @HoyaAddict , I'm asking Katie @kmaytender about her Philo, and I'm trying to establish the necessary facts. I'm certain that Katie can answer my questions herself, and you don't need to answer for her.
It may be as well that your Philo makes efn, but it's prudent to establish all the relevant facts here.
It may be as well that your Philo makes efn, but it's prudent to establish all the relevant facts here.
@HoyaAddict isn’t that what Greg is?
For us to help each other? Sorry Sophie….. you were just trying to to help😞😞😞😞 sorry I meant jasmine
For us to help each other? Sorry Sophie….. you were just trying to to help😞😞😞😞 sorry I meant jasmine
@SvelteKingfern I appreciate you asking in order to get all the facts, but once I read @HoyaAddict ‘s comment I knew it was efn. The spots that burned from being close to my grow light made me think it was pest damage.
@HoyaAddict I had read that some aroids had these EFN, but I had not seen any discussion of them with re to philodendron. I have three Burle Marx in an 80” wall planter and ants had been becoming more and more of a common occurrence. Upon seeing the photos you posted there, i recognized that what I had seen on my BM were these EFN. I was kinda confused if was guttation in the stems. As to ants about a month ago I put one of those ant baits along the top of it. I guess im kinda like the witch in Hansel & Gretl from the ants perspective I guess…..
@TexanExpat Haha yeah they love to feast on it! When I cut my queen anthurium to share with some greggers, she pushed out loads when she was healing. I think it was a protective measure because she was weakened at the time and wanted an army to protect her. Boy did they! She was covered and I let them stay 😛 a month later she recovered and the efn stopped! Now they hang out in a native orchid that had some burn and a few philodendrons.
I see it like this, if the plant makes efn she’s asking for help or protection while shes sorting herself through some things. Could be root growth or a new flower, could be actual pests or just acclimating. The ants never eat her so why would I remove them? But if you find them a nuisance ants are pretty easy to get rid of too.
Btw I’ve tasted efn haha it’s quite sweet so yeah definitely Hansel and Gretel! 😂
I see it like this, if the plant makes efn she’s asking for help or protection while shes sorting herself through some things. Could be root growth or a new flower, could be actual pests or just acclimating. The ants never eat her so why would I remove them? But if you find them a nuisance ants are pretty easy to get rid of too.
Btw I’ve tasted efn haha it’s quite sweet so yeah definitely Hansel and Gretel! 😂
@GaryPoopins My Micans is probably my worst offender 😅 so difficult to get perfect leaves with no spots cause she makes so much haha.
I’d love a pp verde one day 🩷 so dreamy!
I’d love a pp verde one day 🩷 so dreamy!
@HoyaAddict while i do indeed believe that worlds scariest animals in world live on the Australian continent, we here in Texas have fire ants. They are aggressive towards humans. It may have been pushing out sugar for the ants but it was pushing out lush vibes, tell me that’s not so that I will protect her ? Ha. Actually there was a study that was reported in the Washington list. Scientists had benched that plants but then dudnt how and they don’t what. Well a study is out and they identified the mechanism but what more interstitial is what the commincarion was about. The the plants with this chemical that allowed them to observe the chemical fluctuations in the plant. Upon being attacked by insects the plants communicated to others and the others started to produce defensive chemicals. If you’ve ever seen any of Batman movies, the picture I got was one of the Batmobile arming itself in the parking lot. The article ended by quoting one the scientist who noted that a “reactive” defense on the basis of the communication was an indicator of intelligent life…..