Good questions.

It is in the ground, planted with compost & potting soil. It is on the west side of a built in bbq, so it doesnt get direct sun until probably noon.

Ive played with the watering a bit, ranging from every other day to every 3rd day. Any general watch outs for wisteria in Phx?

You don't want to take advice from me on these, I've killed 2 of them so far.. Granted I wasn't doing automatic watering like I am now.. I think they both died from lack of water as I put them both in a spot that I had forgotten about :)

The biggest wisteria are in the flood-irrigated sections of Glendale and Phoenix.

They like DEEP watering at regular intervals. So when you water, make sure it's long enough to get thoroughly soaked.

There's a huge wisteria at the Desert Botanical Garden. It's on the east side of a structure, though, so I wonder if part of the problem with yours is that it's cooking with all that afternoon sun. That said, I only have wisteria envy and have no personal experience with them!

West exposure is not good for them.

colin,

You can't put potting soil in the ground. Just composted cow manure, or even garden SOIL, but not potting soil or mix.

It's planted in the wrong thing. It HATES afternoon sun in Arizona. It can't take it. The watering is important, but since it is planted in the wrong soil, whatever you water won't matter. Go buy some garden soil, and composted cow manure and plant it in a place where it will get morning sun for you. The afternoon sun in Arizona will definately kill it.

Good Luck. Hope it does well for you.

So im guessing this will not be a good option to cover a pergola then...