Question
Hello!
I recently (just over 1 month ago) received a gardenia bonsai plant as a gift. I have taken care to provide appropriate water and light conditions, and the plant seems to be doing very well.  I noticed what looked like very fine flakes of something on some of the leaves (tops), and upon closer inspection discovered black specs on the underside of the leaves.  Maybe some type of mite or something?  I am not sure.  Looks like a bunch of little black bugs.  I can rub them off with my finger.  It does not appear to be harming the plant yet, but there are LOTS of these specs, and I would like to get rid of them before any of my other houseplants become infected.  Natural treatment is great...chemical treatment is just fine too.  I just do not want to hurt the plant itself.

Answer
Carla, specs

Your specs are aphids. Either get some Neem oil (a natural product) at a Garden Center such as Lowes and follow the directiohns on the bottle or use rubbing alcohol straight out of the bottle in a spray bottle and spray them.
 
You will need to spray twice a week for 2 weeks then weekly for 3 more to kill and eggs that hatch. Persistance is the key. Then watch the plant for any future infestations to catch them early. Good luck.

Darlene