Find Bonsai conditions by symptom

Pick a symptom you've noticed and review the related conditions.

A rotting odor may be detectable from the soil

Affected areas become distorted and curled

Ants may be frequently observed on the tree

Aphids or scale insects are typically found on the tree simultaneously

Areas of foliage exposed to intense light bleach to white or tan

Black, soot-like coating forms on leaf surfaces and branches

Branch dieback occurs and trunk growth stagnates

Circular entry holes several millimeters in diameter are visible on the trunk

Clusters of green, black, or brown insects appear on new shoots and leaf undersides

Entire leaves take on a bleached, dull appearance and lose their gloss

Fine silky webbing is visible on leaf undersides

Fine white or yellow stippling (flecking) spreads across the upper leaf surface

Frass (sawdust-like or wood-chip-like excrement) accumulates at the trunk base or branch joints

Impaired photosynthesis causes dull leaf color and reduced vigor

Leaf margins and tips turn brown and dry out

Leaves and stems become sticky from honeydew deposits

Leaves curl and turn yellow

Leaves lose their gloss and appear dingy

Leaves wilt and turn yellow

Leaves yellow and leaf drop increases

New shoot extension stops and the tree loses overall vigor

New shoots and young leaves wilt and droop

Roots turn dark brown and feel soft when touched

Sections of foliage suddenly wilt and die back

Severe cases may cause premature leaf drop

Soil is very dry and the pot feels noticeably light when lifted

Sooty mold may develop concurrently

Symptoms can spread rapidly from midsummer through peak summer heat

Symptoms tend to originate on new shoots and young leaves

Tunnels from larval feeding are present inside the trunk

White powdery coating spreads across leaf surfaces

White, brown, or black shell-like or cottony deposits are found on trunks, branches, and leaves