AusBonsai

Has anyone seen this on a Chinese Elm before? Little Rust coloured spots embedded in the fissures of the corky bark and it's not spider mite.The spots don't move. This tree has been sick for some time with die back due to being stuck in the shade for too long and being waterlogged - a criminal offence I know!!! Cripes!! , I think that's the Bonsai Gestapo outside right now. Webos ya little dobber!!!

do the spots move? have you looked at them closely with a magnifying glass???

No they don't move. They have been like that for quite some time. Definitely not spider mite Jamie

Sorry...it was me. I dobbed. But you deserved it! Shame on you for treating that corky little bugger the way you did...Give him some love and attention Jester!

Hard to tell mate - they arent new leaf buds are they?

Leigh Taafe wrote:Hard to tell mate - they arent new leaf buds are they?

I was thinking the same I blew up as big as I could. Lost some resolution but that's what they look like
We could be wrong you will know soon enough either dead or lots of new growth.

Jester, I'm leaning towards Coral Spot http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles09 ... l_spot.asp which is a fungus that flourishes in high humidity. My recomendation is that you Repot the tree into a free draining soil, forget putting it in a bonsai pot just at the minute, avoid watering the trunk or foliage excessively (just wet the soil and only if it needs it!) and get that elm in a sunnier place once it has regained a bit of health, shade is best used as a summer protection, not as a year round location.

My apologies for sounding preachy

Good luck
MM

Hi guys, thanks for all the prompt replies. Leigh and Pup, definitely not new growth - and sorry for the poor resolution; I should know better.
Mojo, I actually did "exactly" what you mentioned as the photo goes back a few weeks even though the spots are still there. The tree since , and just before spring has regained a lot of it's vigour and I would say is on to a speedy recovery. Mojo , you don't sound preachy at all; I thought that was sound advice. I am trying to keep the soil on the dry side in it's new large training pot and it sees a lot of sun every day. Regardless , I will definitely read that link on Coral Spot.

Thanks again everyone for your prompt replies

John