Mike - any comments on what I do to lead to improved performance will be welcome. I was pondering setting up drip irrigation, since we do spend many hours watering our pots each summer.
Not Mike
, but I have some ideas in terms of what has worked well for me:
A 2-3 inch layer of wheat straw mulch has cut my watering down at least 60-70% (yes, even if that means 2-3 inches less soil to make room for the straw). And it's made a big difference on fruit cracking as well.
I think a 12 by 12 is good for a dwarf or a compact det, but I really like to go larger for anything else. Your 24 by 18 sounds about perfect.
Also, lighter colored containers work soooo much better for me here (*sigh* I know the nursery pots are free -- but dark).