Juniper tar looking material and bugs

Tidal Bonsai

Omono
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This juniper has been getting weaker and weaker as of late. I noticed a buildup of a tarry substance in the container and small brown bugs that have colonized. What can I do?
 

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Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy
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Some of my trees have this on the soil surface... I suspect it's a form of algae, and I'll usually see this with pots with solid organic feed on the surface and being watered a lot/ staying a bit too wet. Not sure about the bugs but suspect they're digging the moisture, too.
 

Tidal Bonsai

Omono
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Some of my trees have this on the soil surface... I suspect it's a form of algae, and I'll usually see this with pots with solid organic feed on the surface and being watered a lot/ staying a bit too wet. Not sure about the bugs but suspect they're digging the moisture, too.

I think the black may be a buildup of algae, here are the bugs.
 

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Wires_Guy_wires

Imperial Masterpiece
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Looks like dead algae sludge to me too.
But just to be sure, it might be wise to ensure you can exclude rust.

Edit: those bugs look like gnat larvae or other (possibly!) root eating worms.
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
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Dead algae sure.
Mine is on top of dead moss....
Lifted up regularly shows its not effecting the bark.

I found a pic that looks like that bug as a lacewing larvae.

Look for aphids.

Neither of these seem the problem...

Sorce
 
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