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If by mucous, you mean wet and slimy, it would sound like root rot to me.
Remember in bonsai culture, the soil has to be free draining. You pour/spray the water on the soil surface, and it runs right out of the bottom of the pot. If your soil is not this free draining, and you have wet slimy roots, you will need to perform an emergency repotting. Given your location Spring will be coming soon. If you have to emergency repot, clean the roots good with a gentle spray to remove the rotting area. The after you have repotted in free draining soil, you will need to protect this plant from freezes until the new roots that grow harden off. If it is deciduous and it has not pushed it's leaves yet, keep it in an unheated garage or basement, where it does not freeze, but where the humidity level are higher than your house. If it is evergreen, you can keep it outside, moving it into your garage as temps fall below freezing. Move both outside when your temps have stabilized. If it is tropical, and stays in your greenhouse, you can repot now. Search here for good free draing soil mixutres, there is tons of advice, and lots of pictures.
Speaking of pictures, do you have one of your problem area?

19-Mar-2006	#2
Ralph BonsaiTalk Master B.S.er Join Date: Jun-2002 Location: Richardson, Texas Country: God Bless America USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 9 Posts: 1,285	If by mucous, you mean wet and slimy, it would sound like root rot to me. Remember in bonsai culture, the soil has to be free draining. You pour/spray the water on the soil surface, and it runs right out of the bottom of the pot. If your soil is not this free draining, and you have wet slimy roots, you will need to perform an emergency repotting. Given your location Spring will be coming soon. If you have to emergency repot, clean the roots good with a gentle spray to remove the rotting area. The after you have repotted in free draining soil, you will need to protect this plant from freezes until the new roots that grow harden off. If it is deciduous and it has not pushed it's leaves yet, keep it in an unheated garage or basement, where it does not freeze, but where the humidity level are higher than your house. If it is evergreen, you can keep it outside, moving it into your garage as temps fall below freezing. Move both outside when your temps have stabilized. If it is tropical, and stays in your greenhouse, you can repot now. Search here for good free draing soil mixutres, there is tons of advice, and lots of pictures. Speaking of pictures, do you have one of your problem area? __________________ Emerging from winter slumber Bonsai trees burst buds anew Spring is upon us! -Paul S.