Hello, Im new here so please be gentle lol. I started collecting various Alocasia, colocasia and the like. I think this is Alocasia micholitziana but Im not positive. This morning I noticed a bead of water on the tip of a leaf. I have not watered this plant in days and when I do it is at the base. The dirt is still a little moist. My question is, has anyone heard of these plants secreting water from the leaf, I know it sounds crazy but I have not put any water on the leaf. Im not sure of where to post this either, thank you.
hello Bearmon I think it is a phenomenon called guttation. where a plant has specialised glands at the leaf tip that occasionally release water droplets http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guttation common in grasses and their relatives
Its seems that is what is happening, I also increased the soil compost. Thank you for the answer. I learned something new.
Correct Pierrot! Many aroids (as well as other plant species) possess glands that can produce a clear liquid through the process of guttation. Although sometimes called "sap" on plant discussion websites, guttation is a watery liquid that comes out of the plant and is common in many plant species especially at night. In some species the liquid may be slightly sweet to the taste. The word guttation is derived from the Latin word gutta "gut-TA" meaning droplet. Excess moisture in the leaf blade normally transpires through pores of the leaf blade and is evaporated by heat and wind. With low temperatures and still air motion the water just accumulates at the leaf's tip. During the heat of the year the warmth of the sun is pulling the water inside the stem (base of the plant) through the petiole (support of the leaf blade) to the lamina of the leaf so the blade is filled with water. The natural evaporation actually causes the water to be raised upwards. Since evaporation is not "pulling" the water out of the plant as rapidly as a result of the lower natural temperatures during fall and winter the water inside the blade has no place to go and must find a method of escape and since the petiole and stem are already filled. The water just seeks the easiest route out of the plant and chooses a gland. The weight of the water builds pressure pushing downward on the petiole toward the stem finally builds to a point where the plant is simply forced to release the liquid through the leaf. Guttation is the release of water and sometimes salts which commonly happens at night when the transpiration rates are naturally low. It is possible for guttation to occur when the hydrostatic pressure is insufficient to prevent the flow of water into the xylem. The xylem is a plant tissue of various cells that is capable of transporting water and other substances to the leaves. Guttation frequently occurs in tropical plants when high humidity inhibits the natural transpiration which is simply the loss of water vapor inside the plant to the outside air. Guttation often occurs through the hydathodes which occur in the leaf tips of many Araceae (aroids). A hydathode is a modified stoma which is normally involved in photosynthesis but is required to secrete water as a result of the pressure of guttation. The hydathodes of Araceae are commonly localized in the leaf tip but may be found elsewhere on the leaves. Alocasia hydathode type possesses unusually large stomata. This may also help: http://www.exoticrainforest.com/What is a stem. What is a petiole.html As long as your soil is very porous and not muddy the plant will do fine. It does appear to be *Alocasia micholitziana which is native to the Philippines. You might want to consider adding some orchid bark as well as orchid charcoal along with finely cut sphagnum moss to the soil. Just keep the soil evenly moist since Alocasia don't like to dry. You'll also find this species loves bright light. I hope I didn't over explain this to the point it becomes worthless non-sense!
Not at all, excellent answer, the more in depth the info, the better for me. Thank you very much, Fred
