I didn't have any "organics" other than some worm-casting cast on top (below the mulch layer) and some espoma fertilizer that I mixed in for the micros.
I thought DG, particularly the one I used which is quite sandy, would help to "dry up" the mix I had, which was before heavy in Peat and Coco-hulls. There is a good 1/4 part Perlite in the mix. It actually seems quite airy.
My thought is that in general these plants were already in poor shape, as evidenced by the dark/dead roots that in most cases encased them when pulled from their 5G pots. I originally left these roots untouched, but in doing so, left a boundary of hardened, rotten roots that blocked off new lateral root growth. Since the bottoms of the containers are blocked off, downward growth is not a possibility, so what healthy roots the trees had were somewhat trapped.
When I went back in last week and amended the soil with 1/2 part DG/sand, I shredded and partially removed the dead and rotted roots, but this also damaged some of the living roots that lie beneath those. I'm sure that's set the plants back anew, but I think in the long run, it was necessary. I think the reason the mix remains so wet is because it's yet not too hot here (that will change soon), and the trees just aren't sucking out any water as of yet in their sad and tired rooting state. If the roots can recover, I expect I'll start to have the opposite problem once we get in to the 100-110F temps of June, July, Aug, Sep. here. I just hope the trees can wake up by then, otherwise I fear they are doomed.
Appreciate all the thoughts and tips.