Do you have some good pics of guttation? So many plants do it, but catching them in the act can be tricky. Captured these this morning, the air was still & foggy.

Oyster plant (Tradescantia spathacea)


Cousin of that, T. sillamontana


Cane Begonia

There is a difference between morning dew and guttation. Morning dew is water condensing from the air. Guttation is water being forced out of the leaf. Usually you will only see droplets at the tips of the leaf or all the way around the edges.

Thought I'd add that definition.

Thanks, I'm aware of the difference.

Sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like you didn't.

I believe, thank you. ; )

I would like to know more about this, but articles tend to be childishly oversimplified, or too technical for my level. Whatever the causes, I always get so happy when I see it, like when a bud opens into a flower. No idea why. Maybe just because it's an obvious sign the plants are doing something.

Occasionally at work, I'll see what I can get shots of.

Mostly pothos, my new Rhaphidophora tetrasperma? mini-monstera, and the many scindapsus pictus.

Trying to read up, found this article:
https://www.nature-and-garden....

Some good information.

Quote from that link, I thought it was a great explanation.
I didn't even know there was a term for it.

What is guttation?

Guttation occurs when a plant oozes water and minerals out from perfectly healthy leaves, stems, and sometimes even flower petals.

It takes place when roots of a plant absorb more water than the plant actually needs.

Tiny, specialized cells on the surface of a leaf or stem are connected to veins and sap channels of the plant. This cluster of cells works as a nozzle. It releases water from the plant's vascular system to the outside, forming drops that look like dewdrops.

This process where excess pressure is released from inside the plant is called guttation.

These nozzle-like cells are called hydathodes. They're a special class of stomata. Stomata are bean-shaped cells that open up to let the plant breathe and transpire.
Guttation on a phalenopsis orchid, resulting in black and white spots.
Hydathodes are usually placed around the rim or tips of leaves, on the leaf surface, or at junctures between leaves and stems.
Less than 5 % of all water that goes in a plant is released through guttation. Nine tenths is from transpiration, a more powerful phenomenon.

Mini monstera

Good catch! That's why those kinds of plants shouldn't be put on fine wood surfaces, or near electronics.

My Aunt's dieffenbachia used to do this all the time. Too bad I never managed to get a picture.

I see those all the time, even on plants that get watered weekly.

Mostly pothos, sometimes my maranta.

Would you consider it a good or bad sign?

Seems like the plants are doing what they need to, are self-regulating, and growing fine.

I'd take it as a sign that they're over-watered, but it happens even if I miss a week.

I don't read much into it. I don't remember offhand seeing what I thought was an unhealthy plant doing it. We'll have to see what comments develop here...

There is a lot know and yet still unknown about the phenomenon. I never take it as a warning sign. You see this a lot on Diffenbachia and Musa (banana plants), guessing it might be related to their large, high water content leaves and stems. Got to notice if the Philodendrons and Monstera do this for me.

There is a lot known and yet still unknown about the phenomenon. I never take it as a warning sign. You see this a lot on Diffenbachia and Musa (banana plants), guessing it might be related to their large, high water content leaves and stems. Got to notice if the Philodendrons and Monstera do this for me.

I guess I'm going by the concept, if true, that "it takes place when roots of a plant absorb more water than the plant actually needs".

If that the case, the plant isn't over-watered because it's dealing with the issue before it causes problems.

By the same token, I offered the plant too much water and put it in that situation where it has to self-correct.

Just throwing out ideas, neat topic.

Early morning will be best time to watch them in my place. Here's a few.
Monstera sp Tena


Monstera sp Peru 'Karstenianum'


Epipremnum pinnatum albo variegated. on an unfurled leaf.


Globba sp


On most plants, it will be at the edge or the tip of the leaves.
But there are always exception. This Ficus sp, has guttation pores distributed on all the surface of it's leaves, and no that is not a condensation.

Hey that last pic is really cool! The organized randomness. Fascinating.

It would seem like this could be a way for small critters to get a drink at least once per day, on days when it doesn't rain.

Interesting thoughts, Humboldt. Thank you.

Amazing the way your mind works Tiffany.
Actually this morning I also found a small wasp sipping that droplet on an Alocasia robusta. but I forgot to include the photo there
I believe other critter will also use them.

Thank you very much. ; ) Great pic!