Question
Hello,

I have a dwarf umbrella tree about three feet tall, in a 10" pot. It hasn't grown a single new stem since I bought it two months ago. Is this normal? If it is not, here are several problems that may be part of the reason:

1) The plant is sitting right next to a huge window, but not under direct sunlight. My office window faces northeast, and it faces another building in ten yards, so there is no direct sunlight any time of the day. I don't use blinds, so the lighting should not be a problem I think.
  
2) When I bought it, there were what look like calcium stains on the leaves, or something like soil stains after a dusty rain. They didn't go away after I sprayed the leaves with water or soapy water. They only go away when I wipe the leaves individually with a damp paper towel. I have done that for some of the leaves that I can reach without disturbing the plant, but not all.

3) When I water the plant, the water comes out of the bottom holes in about 5-10 seconds. I feel like it is not getting enough water. I water it every week now because the top inch of the soil feels very dry even couple days after watering. I have a Mass cane in the same size pot right next to it, and I have to water it almost a minute to see water coming out of the holes.

4) I have seen a tiny centipede coming out of the soil once. At one point I had tiny flies flying around the plant, I sprayed the plant with soapy water and now they are gone.   

5) Recently, tiny brown holes appeared on some of the leaves.

I appreciate any help and opinions!

Betul

Answer
This is going to probably be difficult for you because your plant is in your office, but to solve the problem it may be the only way.
The plant is not healthy. You will need to give the plant a complete "overhaul" to get it back to a healthy condition. Insects don't usually attact healthy plants.

Take the plant to a place where you can work on it. Take it out of the pot. Examine the roots. I suspect it is root bound in the pot it is in. If you can, place the root ball in a large bucket of water and let it soak. Buy a container one size larger then the one it is now. Buy some really good potting soil with fertilizer and moisturizer in it. Loosen the roots gently, then place in the new container, firm the soil around the roots. Water the soil over and over until the root ball and soil is saturated.
Remove any damaged leaves. Buy some "Safersoap" and "NEEM". The Neem will be added to water and poured over the wet soil. It will kill any insects in the soil and be taken up by the plant to the leaves. The safersoap with fungicide and insect control will be sprayed on the leaves.
Don't fertilize.
After it is back in the office window. . .
Water only when the soil is dry, then thoroughly soak the roots and soil. Then let it dry again. Don't water on a schedule. The soil moisture doesn't follow that schedule. Too much or too little water is what kills most plants. But a plant that is stressed may still be alive but will not be healthy, and therefore subject to diseases and insects.