Tamarindus indica looking rough. Where to go from here?

[Clueless Noob]

Hi yall! I started this tamarind tree from seed three years ago (spring 2021) and it's just not growing right. I cut one branch/side at a time expecting two branches to grow in its place but that never happened. Poor Salima looks like a mess and I don't know where to go from here. I'm afraid of beheading but it feels like the only option.

Things to note:
Salima is indoors full time as I live in northeast US
repotted ~3 weeks ago for the first time and went through shock
there is unsightly inverted taper

I'm open to all suggestions except giving up!

Random tidbit, the taproot is growing in a corkscrew fashion, just a big ol spiral. Seems like I placed the seed sideways so the taproot grew into the side of the pot, turned around and repeated all the way down. Also, I reduced the rootball by a lot and that's why Salima lost all its leaves. On the upside, new leaves are budding!



before repotting




after repotting, most leaves dropped but at least it allows for a good view of the branch structure.



after repotting, this is the other branch.

 

[Cajunrider]

The tree is suffering from lack of light and nutrients. If planted in normal potting soil and leave outside when conditions are frost free (40 deg F), the tree should be at least 3 times bigger. I say move it to a shallow terracotta bulb pan pot with potting soil and put it outside until the fall. You then can see it recover and grow like crazy. When it gets big enough, you can turn it into a bonsai.

 

[Clueless Noob]

The tree is suffering from lack of light and nutrients. If planted in normal potting soil and leave outside when conditions are frost free (40 deg F), the tree should be at least 3 times bigger. I say move it to a shallow terracotta bulb pan pot with potting soil and put it outside until the fall. You then can see it recover and grow like crazy. When it gets big enough, you can turn it into a bonsai.

Thank you so much for the advice! I have some follow up questions
Is a terracotta pot a must? Terracotta is a huge sensory ick. If terracotta is an absolute must then would it be okay to repot again so soon? The tree is currently in a plastic pot (6" diameter, 5.5" deep).

 

[Cajunrider]

Thank you so much for the advice! I have some follow up questions
Is a terracotta pot a must? Terracotta is a huge sensory ick. If terracotta is an absolute must then would it be okay to repot again so soon? The tree is currently in a plastic pot (6" diameter, 5.5" deep).

Terracotta is not a must but you do need a bigger diameter pot with the same depth. Right now just take it outside and feed it well.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Terracotta is a huge sensory ick.

Terra cotta "breathes", has weight less likely to tip or blow over. Been basic classic part of keeping healthy plants personally over 60 years. Get over it.

 

[Srt8madness]

Terra cotta "breathes", has weight less likely to tip or blow over. Been basic classic part of keeping healthy plants personally over 60 years. Get over it.

You can't tell people to get over their icks anymore, you have to accommodate. Sort of a pain but it's easy to just be kind.
They also did "Get over it" by taking the advice.

 

[Hartinez]

You can't tell people to get over their icks anymore, you have to accommodate. Sort of a pain but it's easy to just be kind.
They also did "Get over it" by taking the advice.

That’s par for the course with Pots. Has “60 years experience” critiques trees and methods on here but has shared, as far as I can tell, exactly 1 obscure pic of trees he/she/they own.