Question
I have a 3 foot tall 30 year old jade plant.  Recently it has been getting sticky leaves on the sun side and dropping more leaves and small branches than usual.  some of the stems have 1 - 1 and 1/2 mm brown nodules.  None of the common disease listed mentioned sticky leaves or nodules.  I had a cyclamen that died after 3 years.  it also had sticky leaves and was near the jade plant. there may have been small insects then but i haven't seen any lately.

Answer
Susan:
Based on your description, the sticky leaves may be an indication of the presence of "honeydew", a clear sticky film that accumulates on leaves and stems of plants.  The presence of honeydew is an indication of an insect infestation either on that particular plant or on a plant that is growing above that plant.  The honeydew is the sugary excrement (poop) of an insect, often aphids or scale insects.  This sugary stuff supports the growth of a black fungus called sooty mold that can accumulate.  Look up photos of honeydew on the internet to see if this is your problem.

On the nodules, can they be "flicked off" the leaves with a fingernail?  If so, these may be scale insects.  Give this a try and let me know.

Steve