Question
Dear Mr. Creed:

Last August I purchased my first indoor citris tree (a dwarf blood orange.)  I live in Zone 6 so it stayed outside until mid October.  It looked healthy and bloomed in December.  

But after it bloomed I noticed its leaves were seping sap.  I took the leaves and a branch sample to a garden store for evaluation.  They diagnosed my tree with scale and sent me home with a spray.  

I took the tree outside and hosed it off first, then sprayed it heavily with the scale insecticide.  I gave it a second dose two weeks later.  I made sure to spray it in mid-day so I could bring it back inside that evening as a dry plant.   

My trees leaves all dried up, and now it has very brittle branches.  I called the store where I bought it and they suggested pruning it back, looking under the bark to see if it was still green, and not watering it as often.  

My tree sits in a 5 galon pot, its on a southern exposed wall with ample light, but not close to a heat vent, and I am careful to check its soil so it does not get too dry.  

My question for you is... how do I know when it's time to give up on it?  I hate to throw it out this early in the game, it may be silently struggling to make it.  Since I paid $45 for it, I really want to do all I can to save it.

Can you offer me some suggestions on what to do next?  Should I feed it, put it in the direct sunlight, buy a sun lamp, etc.?

I would sure appreciate your help with this.  
Thanks so much.
Unsure and inexperienced,
Sonja  

Answer
Hi Sonja,

I can tell that you really care about your Citrus tree, so I will try to help as much as the situation allows.

Apparently your tree was healthy - other than the scale infestation - prior to the pesticide spraying. So my first question is, what is the name of the pesticide that you used. Second, did you mix it exactly according to the label directions? Third, did you leave the tree in the sun to spray or dry? Fourth, how cold was it on the day you sprayed it outside?

Are any of the remaining branches flexible or are they all brittle and dry?

Describe to me just what it is you check for before deciding it is time to water.

I have several other questions that are best answered by photo. If possible, please sent me a photo or two of your Citrus. At least one of the photos should show the entire plant and its container.

Your can e-mail te photo to me at [email protected].

I look forward to your reply so I can give you a definitive diagnosis.

Regards,
Will Creed