Running short of water. A larger container will help avoid such problems because it provides more root room.

Lol, I was going to say chronically saturated soil! Or marginal scorch caused by excess fertilizer.

I would say soil issues that are leading to moisture concerns - judging by appearance of the soil, I'd say too much water/inadequate drainage. The container also looks to be sized too small for the plant, as well, so it may well be root bound.

There is something else going on as well.........can you post a closer photo of the white objects attached to the branch in the first photo? Not sure what they are at this distance but they look suspiciously like some sort of insect egg case.......

I wondered about that, too, GG. My thoughts went to wax or even cottony scale of some sort.

I suspect scale also. Are they squishy? Or can you wipe them off?