What's eating my wych elm bonsai?

Wych Elm bonsai are susceptible to aphids, gall mites, and leafhoppers, all targeting the foliage from spring onwards. Gall mites cause distinctive pouch galls on leaves. One advantage of bonsai scale: small pots do not attract the bark beetles that spread Dutch elm disease, making bonsai cultivation a safer context for this tree.

Colonies on new shoot tips and leaf undersides; honeydew, sooty mold, and curled or distorted foliage from late spring Water jet to dislodge; insecticidal soap or neem oil; natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings) effective when the tree is outdoors

Small pouch-like or blister galls on leaves — cosmetically unsightly but not life-threatening on otherwise healthy trees Spray bare branches in late winter with a winter wash (lime sulphur at 1:25 dilution) to kill overwintering mites before bud-break

White stippling on upper leaf surfaces; wedge-shaped adults jump when disturbed; heavy infestations cause general leaf pallor Neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; ensure good airflow around the tree; remove weeds around the pot that harbor adults