Hello everyone, I recently acquired a ginseng ficus bonsai from a local nursery. I've had it for about two months now, but it seems to be rapidly developing issues. The tree is kept indoors in a western window (large outside trees give filtered light towards the end of the day, with direct light most of the time) and is planted in an akadama soil mix, receiving water once to twice a week when the top soil seems dry.
Recently, a few of the leaves have developed brown/black marks on the tip or in the middle of the leaf, some looking like a decaying tip or others looking almost like a cut through the leaf. Two of the younger leaves have fully yellowed and dropped off. Across the tree, some of the leaves also appear wrinkled/curled in, particularly the younger ones. Additionally, some leaves suddenly have a small circle of sticky clear fluid on them.
In looking for the source of the problem, I found 3 small bugs that appear to be mealy bugs (very small, grey, little feet), two on the tree and one crawling about the top soil. There is a very small area of white fuzz on one exposed root, and only one or two tiny areas of fuzz on the leaves that have been removed already.
I've attached several photos below. The small white dots and rings on the leaves have always been there, and I assumed they were some sort of normal leaf byproduct. Is this correct or are they also a concern?
Could these bugs be the only source of the tree's issues? If so, how do you recommend treating for them?
Thank you for any help!
