What's up with my Ficus?

[jerseyjonny]

Hey guys, I have a few Ficus microcarpas that are doing the oddest thing, they seem to be beeding somewhat from the leaves. Small droplets of water(it's not a sticky substance) seem to be forming towards the outer edges of the leaves. The under sides of the leaves seem to be darker right where the water droplets are forming. The water droplets only form on what I always thought were a string of pores that ran towards the outer edge of the leaves. I have no clue what could be causing this so if any of you guys have any insight or advice please let me know. Thanks!

[yabbyman]

Jonny,
what you are witnessing is water exuding from the hydathodes on the plants leaves. This is normal but not really. (sorry) I personally have not witnessed it though alot of figs have quite large hydathodes. In fact it is a species criteria often used. ie; this plant has prominent hydathodes and a leaf shape....
I am not a botanist nor taxonomist so I would recommend doing a google search with guttation and hydathode as queries.
Here is a brief summation from New Scientist:

................This process is called guttation. On the surface of leaves there are stomata or pores through which water is lost by transpiration. At night, the stomata close, causing a reduction in transpiration. Drops of water are then forced out of the leaf through special stomata or hydathodes. These special stomata are found along the edges of the leaves or at the tips. It is believed that guttation is caused by high root pressure. Grasses often force water out of the tips of their blades. Guttation also happens in potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries on their leaf margins. ................................

no harm really, it could simply be barometric pressure or watering too much maybe. See what the other dudes reckon. andrew

[jerseyjonny]

Yabbyman, thank you for clearing this up for me, just to let you know it only lasted for 1 day and after 3 days the tops and bottoms of the leaves seem to be completely back to normal(the bottoms got very dark in color right around the hydathodes). Thanks again for all your help!