beginner cymbidium question

[Becca]

Hi! I am new to growing orchids and I have just recently purchased some cymbidium divisions. One of the cymbidiums appears to have some moisture droplets on the bottom of one of it's psuedobulbs. Would this be sweating? Is it normal, healthy, harmful? Any info is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Becca

[Ross]

Becca, where are you located? That would help respondents.

[Becca]

I am located in Boise, ID. I keep the plants indoors in a window that receives bright indirect light. I have only had the cymbidiums for about a week or so, maybe a little longer. Do cymbidiums put out a sap by any chance?

[smartie2000]

I've seen cymbidiums put out sap on their spikes

[justatypn]

It is normal for a flower spike to exude sap as a result of the fluid pressure build up in the spike. If you're concerned about the possibility of tiny sucking insects on the spike, you can dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rub it up and down the flower spike. It will not damage the spike.

[Becca]

Hi Cheryl! The moisture or sap drop isn't on a spike, it is at the base of a pseudobulb. I also do not see any insects on the plants either. I have tried touching the droplets, they almost seem kinda sticky, oily, and watery all at the same time....is that possible? It is only on the one bulb out of 5 on the plant. I just find this odd and I am affraid it is doing this perhaps do to lack of water or stress?

[Tindomul]

I would assume it is either sap from the plant, or excrement from a bug that sucked the juices out of your plant. I think its the first, even though it comes from a pbulb.

[smartie2000]

On a pseudobulb I think that the sap came from a sucking insect. Pseuodobulbs don't exude sap unless it was damaged. Check if there are any bugs around....if there aren't they are probably gone

[Becca]

I will keep my eye out for bugs, I haven't seen any and I just received the plants from an individual I bought them from off of a yahoo orchid group. Is there a website someone might be able to direct me to that will have pictures of what fungus would look like of the leaves? Perhaps tomorrow I can take a picture of the plant, but there seems to be black stuff on the leaves I am also in question about and it doesn't look like rot? Thank you for everyone's advice so far, it is greatly appreciated. I think on the yahoo orchid group, it seems maybe I ask to many questions since some of my posts have gone un answered recently

[Tindomul]

Here is a great article written by one of our members. THis should help you out a bit:
http://www.orchidboard.com/Orchid_pests_and_diseases