oh the aphid thing, found it.
BONSAI - Japanese Miniature Trees by Kan Yashiroda, from about 1965!! An oldie but a goodie.
says... 'Some apides, woolly apple aphis included, may attak the roots of such plants as flowering crab apple.' and ' For root-aphis all the soil should be washed off the roots and the plant dipped in a nicotine and soft soap solution. repotting should take place immediately using a fresh compost and the same container when it has been washed.'
Im not sure if nicotine is the answer, there are better things available nowdays im sure....
The aphis is called Wooly Apple Aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum)
http://www.gaipm.org/id/applei.html
for a pic at the bottom of that page or
http://pmo.umext.maine.edu/apple/Ap...-2002-07-26.htm
or for all types of bugs
http://www.backyardgardener.com/ins...ectcontrol.html
cheers
jls