Dusty layer on apple leaves

[goodison1234]

I planted a apple seed a couple of months ago in a small pot and have left it on my window sill. It is about 15cm tall with about 15 leaves. Recently it seems to be developing a dusty layer on its leaves, I rinsed it off under a tap but the next day another dusty layer. It is a very light dust and will float off the leaves if the plant is picked up.

What is this dusty layer, disease maybe?

The apple variety is Pink Lady. By the way I don't really expect this to grow into a full plant, I just happened to have a small pot of soil and seed at the time!

[carrust]

Probably this;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mildew

[Whoever]

If it's not mildew, it could be caused by whitefly. These are very tiny white creatures and can look like dust on leaves, but they also leave a sticky substance behind. Eventually they can damage a plant so much that gradually kill it. You can try spraying them off every day or putting one of these yellow sticky insect traps close by it. Keeping it in a well ventilated place will help, but if it's whitefly and they've got hold, the plant will probably die. Alternatively you can try putting it in a very sheltered place outdoors (apples naturally lose their leaves in winter) and see if it survives. A mineral water bottle with the bottom cut off will help protect it.

[goodison1234]

Thanks, mildew it probably is by the looks of that link. It was an Australian apple, so would it still lose the leaves during UK winter time? It almost certainly doesn't stand a chance!