Thoughts, I've had a few
But not so many to mention

Watering, I've had some qualms
About overwatering the ponytail palms

I could go on this for some time, but wanted to spare you the grief - if anything, I'm guessing, you're not watering it enough during this most prime growth period for your B. r. plants.

Jeff,
If your so inclined, I'd like to listen to your musings and theories about watering the pony tail palm.

Rob,

Year-around, just less so in winter (unless you've got a greenhouse). Back in the day, any self-respecting San-Diego-based-succulentist had one PIG'd that was the size of a small elephant's foot, never mind the ones that are many feet across/around at Norma's house or at a botanical garden. If it's warm and sunny, they're going to grow, IME and IMO. I'd be curious to hear about your question from others, too.

I was looking a pictures over at Google images. Many of those in pots have a caudex that is large relative to the diameter of the pot and often the pot is shallow relative to diameter. Is this ideal? Does it really matter?

How to instructions elsewhere say to repot in the spring. Is this ideal? Does it really matter?

Albert,

The root systems one these aren't that deep, so yes, and spring, when their rate of growth is increased* by higher temps and more sun, is the ideal season to repot, although these can be repotted as well on December 21st, too - you'd just want to be more careful about watering then.

OTOH, it may not really matter, but aesthetically, it's pleasing to me to have it in a shallow pot.

Mine were in smaller pots, but I wanted to maximize they're growth potential. I potted all three into a large trough.
{{gwi:94171}}
With the temps in the high 80's and up, I've been watering every 2-3 days. The growth has been very good. I've wondered how the watering has effected the size of the caudex. Once they put some size on, they will go into they're own pots.

Albert,
As far as potting goes, these guys are tough, and I don't think there's a wrong time to repot them.

Rob