JBP needle help

[Nate.bonsai]

Hi all,

I purchased this JBP in May 2014 - all healthy, a few needles with slight banding across them (i.e. slight, small brown band across the needle).

In August 2014 I hard pruned, trying to open up the tree.

In September 2014, the tree started to bud, with candles elongating.

During that time, I have sprayed with a copper based fungicide (i.e. to treat in the event that the banding in the needles was a fungus/needle cast) and a soap based insect spray (Yates natrasoap insect and mite gun).

Today, I noticed that the older needles looked dull and, on closer inspection, have a slight 'speckled' appearance.

Close up photos of the needles attached.

I would be extremely grateful if anyone is able to diagnose and suggest an appropriate response.

[Inspired]

Personally I don't think any thread should have 0 replies so thought i'd jump in and bump this up.

Nate I can see your TLC for your JBP. Whilst I cannot diagnose or recommend anything specific, I can only assume from the info and pic that your JBP is still healthy by the looks of it. Someone with past experience and or knowledge might chime in here..

If not I'd say don't use chems unless you have to.

Keep it healthy (plenty of info around) with plenty of air and sun.. mist regularly and observe to see where your at for the next check point

[DeadStar]

I checked my pine bonsai in a temprate climate book. In the disease and problem chapter the only thing that looks similar is needle cast (dothistroma pini) but you have already suspected this and treated your pine with the recommended control (any copper based fungicide)

It also mentions frequent applications of lime sulphur spray to prevent infection.

Sorry I could really help

[Nate.bonsai]

Thanks for the response guys. Maybe I am being too sensitive, but I have noticed that the needles have lost their shine and are spotted when you look up close, as per the pics. When a tree loses its condition, my experience is that something is wrong. I will keep an eye on it and update you all if something changes.

[Nate.bonsai]

I knew that something was not right.

After hearing some concern about unnecessary/preventative spray application, I hosed off the tree to remove any spray residue and thought that I would monitor it for a bit.

Once the new needles emerged, I kept a close watch of the old vs the new needles, to see if the new ones were dull/speckled at all.

Yesterday, I noticed that one area of the new needles was dull and lightly speckled, like the old needles around it.

Upon closer inspection, the culprit was confirmed - mites.

So, the tree got a Yates Natrasoap spray and will get a follow up in 5-7 days.