Thank you for all advice concerning this poor plant.

I was certainly watering too frequently. I have reduced this now. I
believe the soil is okay: it absorbs water quickly when I water the
plant, and it is not long before water runs from the drainage holes. I
am now watering around every 5 days, waiting for the surface soil to
get almost dry before watering again. Does this sound right?

The plant seems rather happier. Leaf drop has abated, and the
remaining leaves are less curled up than they were. There are some
green shoots at the tips of live branches. Sadly, though, many
branches are now completely leafless.

I have a few more questions. I hope someone can find the time to
advise me!

- Is it worth investigating the roots anyway, or would it be better
to see if the plant improves under the new watering regime before
undertaking something that might stress it?

- I am guessing I should await improvement before pruning. Is that
right? Or would pruning the live branches back to one or two leaf
pairs each give the plant a better chance of reccovery?

- Is it worth experimenting with new placement? The current spot is
the lightest in the house, but not the warmest. I have read that a new
environment might lead to further leaf drop, which this plant can
scarcely afford.

- Supposing the plant comes back to good health, what should my plan
be? Most branches are leafless and, I assume, dead/dying. I will
therefore need to encourage new branches from the trunk. Can this be
done? What is the best technique?

Many thanks again for any advice you can offer.

Guy.