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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:

Possibly nectar (from extrafloral nectaries)

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.

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.

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!

aphids

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

Any other thoughts?

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.

Yeah, I see insects of some sort in the most recent photo.

Hi Spotless,

I took your photo and did a small diagnostic:

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.

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.

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

Pyrethroids (pymethrin, bifenthrin, tau-Fluvalinate etc) will all work as contact insecticide. Some are also systemic and are advertised as being uptaken by leaf.

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.