The 5:1:1 mix shouldn't have failed you for this plant if it was made appropriately and you were using appropriate restraint with the watering can. Too, a plant with a very small root system in an appropriately made the gritty mix shouldn't need watering daily; and, while an appropriately made gritty mix is difficult to over-water, you CAN if you work hard enough at it.

Did you bare-root the plant a second time when transferring from the 5:1:1 to the gritty mix? Bark in the gritty mix does not remain hydrophobic, so there is no need to soak it. If you have a completely dry mix, the Turface will soak up water immediately, and grit surfaces will become coated with water. From that point, diffusion of water vapor in the soil 'breaks' any tendency of the bark particles to remain hydrophobic. If your soil is completely dry, water it thoroughly, wait 15 minutes and water again. The bark will absorb water the second time you water.

You'll need to MONITOR your plant's water needs so you can water at appropriate intervals. You should fertilize asap. The gritty mix offers very little in the way of nutrient delivery from the soil. A plant that isn't growing is dying (using more energy than it's producing), and it needs nutrients to grow.

Al

Thank you so much! The reason the 5-1-1 mix failed was because I messed it up. I wanted to try the gritty mix so I switched instead of retrying. Yes it was repotted with bare roots. I probably ave over watered, I think my particle size for the bark may be too big, hoping it wont make a huge difference. I can see that the mix has more water retention than I first thought. I will fertilize. Thanks!

Tree still seems to be declining.. I put vinegar in the water that helps my other plants.. maybe I shouldnot with the sapodilla. I put in a slow release osmocote fertilizer, It has been getting a little more sun but weather is a factor. I have decreased water to every other day or every two days. Any other thoughts Al?

Stop fertilizing until the plant is pushing a second generation of new growth. Monitor water needs and ONLY water when the plant needs it. Use a dowel rod with a sharpened point, stuck deep into the soil, as a 'tell'. If it comes out wet or stained with with dark soil, it's 'telling' you not to water. Keep it in a very bright spot. out of wind and not in direct sun. Be patient - plants take a long time to reverse a declining course.

Al