Q.Cutting An Esrog
I have an Esrog plant and need to cut it. the plant is getting too high for my apartment. I cut it on a slant and peeled off some of the bark on the top portion that I cut and pushed it into the dirt in the existing pot. the bottom half appears to be doing fine. On the top cut section that I replanted, the leaves are getting dry and brittle. it appears the plant is dying. when I replanted it, I watered it a bit each day for a few days and once with plant food mixed in. any advice you may have would be greatly appreciated. see photo the healthy bottom half are the leafs on right and the wilting leafs are on the left.

Certified GKH Gardening Expert
If you just cut it, recently, then the plant has no roots. It cannot function without roots, so it will not look healthy until it does have roots.
The more nutrients that are in the soil, slower the new roots will grow. Feeding has likely stopped root growth, altogether.
You will need to root this cutting properly in order for it to survive.
This article will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/rooting-plant-cuttings.htm