What is this white stuff on the leaf?

[ps3isawesome]

I noticed some white stuff that i can scrape off today on my Nepenthes.

Is this powder mildew?

THANKS!!

 

[SerMuncherIV]

Not powdery mildew. I've noticed it on some of my Nep leaves, but a quick rub with a wet paper towel gets rid of it pretty easily. I'm not sure what it is, but I think it might be mineral residue from the water I use. It doesn't really seem to harm the plants though.

 

[Sashoke]

Im fairly certain this is just dried flakes of sphagnum moss.

 

[SerMuncherIV]

Im fairly certain this is just dried flakes of sphagnum moss.

Definitely in the first photo, but look hard at the second and you'll see what he's talking about. It's a pale white sheen that looks almost like mosaic.

 

[Clue]

These aren't mineral deposits (which are more irregularly shaped and easily disappear with surface water on the leaf), but rather epicuticular wax, like the bloom on the outside of grapes.

 

[SerMuncherIV]

Ah, that's good to know. It's strange seeing it on that N. veitchii, I've only ever seen it on Nepenthes that have smooth/glossy leaves. Perhaps it's induced by environmental conditions?

 

[Clue]

Ah, that's good to know. It's strange seeing it on that N. veitchii, I've only ever seen it on Nepenthes that have smooth/glossy leaves. Perhaps it's induced by environmental conditions?

Personally, I've noticed that it's a lot more prominent on stressed plants, especially in low humidity, or plants that have poor roots, which interfere with water uptake. The thicker cuticle and extra wax might be a plant's defense to water loss due to transpiration.

 

[SerMuncherIV]

Makes sense now, I've observed it on some of the plants that I recently moved from my terrarium to the windowsill.

 

[ps3isawesome]

Ya, i recently bought this plant. Prob from stress then. thanks!! really appreciate the feedbacks

 

[Sashoke]

Definitely in the first photo, but look hard at the second and you'll see what he's talking about. It's a pale white sheen that looks almost like mosaic.

Ooooh I thought he was talking about the specks. I see what you mean now.