The poor roots in the very dry peat...I would definitely get another...

Yep, get another, and use a porous mix instead of the stuff in that pot.

Josh

Thank you, all! I found my receipt, traded in, and got soil and fertilizer specifically for citrus trees.

I thought it was odd that it had so few leaves, but I assumed it was like my mom's trees and bushes-- some of them are completely barren when they go dormant...

What should the roots look like?

Thank you all again! ☺️

You are welcome! What is the soil and fertilizer that you got? I am especially concerned about the soil because the number one cause of container grown citrus death is root rot caused by over watering together with soil that retains too much moisture for too long. The roots should be light tan with few or no roots circling the bottom of the pot.

I bought a fast-draining soil mix for "Cactus, Palm, and Citrus" by MiracleGro, and I've mixed it with some peat and perlite.

My roots are a yellowish-tan right now with nothing touching the pot's bottom, so I'm hoping I'm in the right ballpark. Let me know, and thank you again!!

Jenni, be careful that you don't over water with that soil mix. Before watering, check to see if it needs water by pushing a thin stick (like a shishka bob stick) all the way to the bottom of the pot. Pull it out and if there are any soil particles sticking to it, then it does not need watering. Use Foliage Pro 9-3-6 fertilizer, which is what most people on this forum use.

Thank you Vladimir!

Should I put the stick closer to or further from the plant itself?

Halfway between the edge of the container and the plant's trunk.

Josh

I saw some like those at my local Home Depot here in Maryland. They did not look healthy here either. I think they were left out and we've had unseasonably cold weather. I would search "5-1-1" mix and move it into that. I say the 5-1-1 because I think the ingredients are easier to find and there's no sifting involved. I hope it does well for you!