My bonsai has two strange problems on its leaves. A few leaves are crumpled up and the rest have little white pimples. I did look for lice or other critters, but saw nothing.

Unfortunately, I'm really green at this.

I hope the photos are clear enough.

The dead branches are caused by bad culture, Learn how to look after the plant first. There is no visible disease or pest on the plant.

Also, it's not a bonsai.

Actually the leaveless branches were caused by not knowing temperatures would get up to 38 C on the day I left it outside and went out. Almost all the leaves blackened and fell off and for a little while I didn't think we'd save it.

Looking at the photos, I don't see the white pimples I spoke of, but that's what they look like. Groups of three or four in a line following the edge of the leaf.

The first photo does clearly show the crumpled leaves though, right in the middle.

Interesting. I was told it's Ficus return and I think it looks pretty much like the photo of that on Wikipedia.

What do you think it is?

It is a ficus.. but not a bonsai

Okay... I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Isn't a bonsai an artificially dwarfed tree? If this isn't a bonsai, could you please explain why and what the distinction is? I'd really like to understand.

Bonsais are not dwarfed, becuase one should be big first to dwarf it. Even though a lot of times you chop back main stems, I would not call it dwarfing. It just sounds incorrect. You limit a tree's growth in a healthy way so it still reflects the qualities of an old tree. Thick, old old looking stem and branches, good nebari and rammification. A well chosen pot and style are also a must. But these things takes long long years to achieve.
www.bonsaiempire.com/forum/progressions/...sai-to-award-winning PLease check this progression of a ficus to understand how much it takes to achieve a bonsai from a young tree.

The white pimoles likely are mealy bugs , scale.

Ahhh, thanks.

What's the treatment for that?