Can we see some pictures of this "white, almost sticky substance"?

I will try to take a photo when I get in from work this evening. So I will post it tonight or tomorrow.

Any pictures?

Had lots of rain for the last day and a half. Have not seen enough of the white stuff to really photograph. I hope that my spraying and cutting back worked. But if it comes back I will post photos. But thanks for now.

Perhaps one of the slime molds? If so, not a problem.

I have over 55 plants that are in terra cotta pots and I am having the same problem. It's definitely not the salts because I have pots like that but this is a soft white mildew at the base of the pots, on the ring of the top and some on the soil. I have tried taking off the top layer of soil but it keeps coming back. I have cleaned off the outer side with vinegar and water and it still comes back. I do have all my plants sitting on stones with water in it. Could this be causing it. I have just purchased all new pots and soil so I can't redo all these plants again. Does anyone know of anything I can use that won't harm the plants and clean it where it won't come back but also won't harm my plants?? Please help.

lucy, what you are describing doesn't sound at all like the problem our original poster was asking about.