I am new to bonsai art. 2 months ago I was given a satsuki azalea bonsai. Since it was still snowing occasionally during Feb, I placed it both indoor and outdoor depending on the weather. I water and mist the plant once a day and it also sits on a tray with pebbles and water.

I realize that the bonsai is not doing well day after day even with care. The leaves are very dried and started to turn brown/black. They are also very brittle. The leaves fall off the branches even with a light touch and some branches fall off as well. Recently, I spotted some little bugs (some white, some black) on the soil surface, bottom of pot and on the tray. So I washed the tray really well, and water the plant with water mixed with soap, hopefully to get rid of the bugs. Now, come to think of it, I am worried that the soapy water can actually kill the plant.

I desperately needed some opinions to save my bonsai. I really want to keep it because it means A LOT to me.

Thanks.

Thanks for your reply. I was really hoping to learn from your expertise in bonsai art after reading your other replies to fellow bonsai enthusiasts.
After reading your mail, I simply refused to give up the Satsuki azalea. I bought some new soil (for tropical bonsai), rapeseed cake organic fertilizer, and Schultz insect spray from the Bonsai Boy.com. I have since then placed the satsuki azalea outdoor as the Spring is finally here in CO. I put a layer of new soil on top and water the bonsai regularly. The bonsai seems to spring back to life, as I can see new shoots and leaves are coming out of those previously broken branches. I have also not seen any bugs after using the insect spray. However, most leaves still looks dried and blacken to some extent. Some even curled up which I don't know why. Maybe you can help explain this to me?
Also, I bought a Dwarf Jade bonsai recently from the same online company, I found some little bugs resembling tiny flies after 2 days the bonsai arrived. I wonder if the bonsai is already infected with bugs before it was sent to me. Nonetheless, I quickly sprayed some Schultz insect spray on the Dwarf Jade. It doesn’t seem to eradicate the bugs totally and the leaves are starting to fall off (eventhough the leaves still look nice and not dried). I water the plant 3 days once as according to the instruction sheet. Please let me know what you think of this situation I am having now. Thank you very, very much for your time.