I don't have any experience growing plants in the ground but from your pics, the leaves display chlorosis issue. Perhaps your soil is too alkaline. See this page for more info:

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/focus/chlorosis.cfm

And wow look at those fruits! A michelia alba that's producing seeds...that's really interesting. When they ripe, try to sprout the seeds. Perhaps you'll get a new hybrid if the sees are viable. How exciting! : )

This post was edited by kemistry on Fri, Jun 14, 13 at 21:53

Hi,

I recently bought 2 M. Albas and 1 Champaca and all are in ground for a month or so now. Mine are very young compare to yours judging by how much thicker your tree trunk is. But all are doing well pushing out new growth and buds. However, the M. Albas are getting some sun burnt leaves due to too much sun. I am hoping they will acclimate soon.

I only water them once a week. I am keeping my garden organic so all I have given them so far are Alfalfa and Dr. Earth #8 fertilizer.

What I noticed about your tree is that it seems to be planted too deep? Either that or it has sunken lower since you planted? M. Albas do not like their roots to be fully submerged or they will suffocate.

I am having the exact same problem. Got the plant in the mail, planted it, and it has a lot of new growth, but all the leaves are yellow. I have sandy soil here in Florida. When i saw the yellow leaves I tried to give it some regular fertilizer first. Waited a month - no green, just new growth. Then I put some nitrogen on it to see if it would help. Nothing, just new growth and yellow leaves.