Sticky substance on Cactus

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ElieM
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Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by ElieM »

For a while now, 2 or 3 of my cacti are producing some clear water-like substance that is sticky. I will attach a pic showing it, and would like to know what that is if possible, thanks!

This is NOT water drops, and it's sticky:

Image
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teo
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by teo »

Possibly nectar (from extrafloral nectaries)
DaveW
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by DaveW »

Don't think Astrophytums have extrafloral nectaries?

Not sure, but as the plant looks very turgid is that a split starting in the channel between that rib and leaking sap? If cacti take up water too fast they will often split and though it spoils their look for a while until it grows out it does not usually kill them.

https://janemming.com/2018/07/24/stem-s ... causes-it/

https://cactiguide.com/cactipests/#overwater

I have had splitting occur with a Lophophora and a Coryphantha when they took up water too quickly, but can't recall them leaking sap though.
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Carbo
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by Carbo »

I had the same thing on opuntias but in my case it seems to be caused by stinkbugs relentlessly poking it, and some other critters attacking it. I don't see any insect damage on your cactus though.
Spotless
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by Spotless »

Hi there,

I recently noticed something similar on my own Asteria... See below. Also sticky, gets washed off relatively easily with water and cotton, but comes back after a couple of days.

Did someone figure out what this could be? Is it common in Astoria? Anything to be worried of?

Thank you!
Sticky substance or sap on astrophytum asteria
Sticky substance or sap on astrophytum asteria
Asteria Sap.jpg (261.42 KiB) Viewed 1743 times
LateBloomer
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by LateBloomer »

aphids
Spotless
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by Spotless »

Except no aphids to be seen and plant and roots were thoroughly cleaned with alcohol and hydrogen peroxide before being repotted… :)

Any other thoughts?
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anttisepp
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by anttisepp »

Mealy bug on the top between new areoles IMHO.

PS OMG! I replied for 1st 2019-yr post. Sorry But this substance is mealy bug's deal indeed. Sometimes invasion located on the nearest plants.
Last edited by anttisepp on Mon Nov 28, 2022 11:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Download
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by Download »

Yeah, I see insects of some sort in the most recent photo.
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Steve Johnson
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by Steve Johnson »

Hi Spotless,

I took your photo and did a small diagnostic:

Asteria Sap.jpg
Asteria Sap.jpg (154.02 KiB) Viewed 1674 times
The areas circled in red look suspicious, and they look to me like mealies or mealy egg sacs. The big beige "puffballs" are spines (believe it or not) typical for A. asterias (not asteria or Astoria, by the way), and the white flecks are called trichomes -- common to all species of Astrophytum. Problem is that mealies look like trichomes -- check out the fluffy little white things down in the ribs. If you can easily pull them off with a toothpick, you have mealies.

Please see this:

viewtopic.php?t=43816

Once I know where you live, I may be able to help.
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
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greenknight
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by greenknight »

I agree.

You can't use a systemic pesticide during the dormant season - I would take a swab or small paint brush dipped in isopropyl alcohol and dab anything that looks suspicious.
Spence :mrgreen:
DaveW
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by DaveW »

You can use the "Bug gun" spray on pistol type contact insecticides in the dormant season since they don't really wet the soil. Some also claim partial systemic action, presumably by being absorbed through the epidermis rather than roots?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BugClearTM-Kil ... 12069&th=1
Download
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by Download »

Pyrethroids (pymethrin, bifenthrin, tau-Fluvalinate etc) will all work as contact insecticide. Some are also systemic and are advertised as being uptaken by leaf.
DrPlantDaddy
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Re: Sticky substance on Cactus

Post by DrPlantDaddy »

Mealybugs excrete a honeydew, which is what it appears to be in the photos. If you also notice ants on your plants, they may be tending to (farming) those mealies and helping their population grow on your plants.
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Kane
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