Hey, JoJo... Do the directions on the Soap mention rinsing the leaves after application/before sun exposure? I've seen bad things happen to plants that were soap/oil treated and then put back into the sun. Sadly, I even toasted a pepper plant in just such a fashion :-( Josh

Looks like you might not have pruned the tree enough if you pruned it at all at planting time. When trees are transplanted they lose like 90% of the original roots from the nursery, so the tree needs to be cut back to 3-4 feet in height and the branches all cut way back near the trunk. This will restore balance between the roots and the rest of the tree. Otherwise the root system just isn't good enough to support the size of the tree you have there. So it makes sense that if the root system is small, the tree isn't getting enough water or nutrients to keep it happy. I would basically chop the tree in half and it will do much better. Seriously.

An almond tree would be much happier in the ground.

Take 2 on posting my response...since the original didnt post the week or so ago.... I'd love to get the tree more light, but I live in a small apt, and only have a VERY small entry balcony that I share w/ 1 neighbor and this time of year especially only gets like 6-8 hrs of direct sunlight When I water, the water does drain, but has a tendency to sit for a few seconds on top before it all soaks in. The potting mix is something generic my garden designer friend used when we re-potted it in the spring. I feel that it's time to re-pot it again since I've noticed the main root trying to grow out of the hole at the bottom of the pot, but I dont have any deeper pots to put it in. I have one that's wider, but not deeper. Fertilizing? I'm just a poor student that's developed a sudden desire for growing things...this is a hobby going crazy and I dont really have money to get fertalizers. I hope to be starting a vermicompost bin soon so I might be able to get some worm tea in the future to use.