Hello, I am new to this forum. I think I have driven myself crazy in search for an answer to what may be me overanalyzing my bonsai gardenia. I bought my first bonsai gardenia (Gardenia japonica 'radicans') a few months ago. I keep it indoors in front of a west-facing window where it gets direct, filtered sunlight for 3 hours a day, however the room is a bright one. I water it with either deionized water or water from my Culligan tank (don't trust the water from my home's 1950's galvanized pipes), and lightly acidify the water with citric or acetic acid (a few drops per gallon). I have fertilized once with diluted miracle-gro orchid fertilizer, and keep the plant on a humidity pebble tray.

Several leaves became yellow and spotted soon after receiving it (shipped overnight mail), however I assumed this was probably due to an environmental shock. After several weeks, the gardenia appeared to be doing better, with new leaf and bud growth and no more yellowing. Just recently I have noticed a sort of crystalline substance on the leaves (appears to be focused more on newer growth and buds). It is a hard, crusty, whitish-yellowish color. There is some splotchiness on some of the older leaves. I can also see small pinpoint dots on a few leaves which seems to be where something was feeding or sucking the chlorophyll. However, I have taken out my magnifying glass and can find no insects anywhere on my plant. I'm more concerned about this crystalline substance---is this normal for new growth? I just want to see my little tree bloom :)