Knowledgebase

Schefflera plant #679620

Asked January 29, 2021, 4:30 PM EST

Clear water like droplets on branches and under leaves , what might be the cause ? Thank you

Ottawa County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello, 

Thank you for using the Ask Extension service. Are you able to take and attach a few photos of the plant with the droplets?

Thank you, 

Irene Donne

MSUE Consumer Horticulture Educator

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 29, 2021, 5:12 PM EST
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On Fri, Jan 29, 2021 at 5:12 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied January 30, 2021, 11:44 AM EST

I sent two pics, any ideas as to the problem 

The Question Asker Replied February 01, 2021, 7:18 PM EST

Hello Deboah,

Thank you for the photos and sorry about the slower response. I asked a few colleagues for their thoughts about your plants, but we're still not completely sure what's going on. 

I few of us thought that it looks like fluid from guttation, which is a way that plants let out excess water pressure, but we're not sure if the droplets are in the correct place on the plant to be guttation. Guttation usually occurs at structures called hydathodes on the leaf margins. Please see this article: "Guttation: A Pressure Relief for Plants" from U. of Missouri. 

Still, what are the humidity levels like in the room where the plant is located? What are your watering practices? Do you have good drainage in the plant pot? 

Did you touch any of the droplets? Is the fluid sticky or slimy, or does it just feel like water? Any other potential issues on the plant, or does it look healthy overall?

Thanks again for the follow-up. 

Regards,

Irene

MSUE Consumer Horticulture Educator

An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 05, 2021, 11:37 AM EST
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A few more pictures, yes the droplets are very sticky and waxy feeling , plant lives outside on covered deck in summer, always has to adjust when brought in . Thank you for you help , deb
On Fri, Feb 5, 2021 at 11:37 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied February 17, 2021, 11:05 AM EST

Hello Deb,

I'm sorry, I'm kind of stumped by your water droplets.  I will let you know if anyone else gives me some further insight. 

Regards, Irene

An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 26, 2021, 2:26 PM EST
Thank you so much!

On Fri, Feb 26, 2021 at 2:26 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied February 26, 2021, 3:00 PM EST

Do you see any signs of insects or bugs on the plant? Either the bugs themselves, or shed skins, or poop or anything? Aphids or scale insects produce "honeydew" excretions. One of the photos looks like there could be potential insect-feeding on the leaves. 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 26, 2021, 4:14 PM EST

Or did you see any signs of bugs on the plant when it was outside?

It also would still be helpful to know the answers to these questions, below. :)

What are the humidity levels like in the room where the plant is located? What are your watering practices? Do you have good drainage in the plant pot?

An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 26, 2021, 4:29 PM EST
I don’t see any bugs,I water once a week until water runs in drainage dish , I used a spray this summer (natural something) because little ants would crawl all over it , it seemed to cure it and thrived in the covered deck, wish I was more helpful ! The spots stay clear , sticky and waxy, I only see them on the stems. Yes some leaves are spotty. Thank you , Deb

On Fri, Feb 26, 2021 at 4:29 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied February 26, 2021, 5:40 PM EST

Thanks for the additional notes, I just asked a couple of other people for an opinion. I will let you know if they respond! 

Irene

An Ask Extension Expert Replied March 04, 2021, 2:17 PM EST
Thank you so much!

On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 2:17 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 04, 2021, 2:59 PM EST
This is indeed Guttation. (Totally normal, especially on sunny days) I have attached an article from University of Missouri to help describe it.  Most often we associate guttation with monocots (grass family) but it can happen on may plants.

https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2009/6/Guttation-A-Pressure-Relief-for-Plants/index.cfm
Thank you for your help! I really appreciate your time ! Deb

On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 5:36 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 04, 2021, 5:56 PM EST

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