Steve ...

The plant looks OK .. but get it out of that pot .. the box you bought it in is not meant to be a permenant container .. and it's been in their way to long. Check the the roots to make sure they are not growing in a circle .. if so pry them apart a bit before replanting. Also ... get rid of that nursery stake ... it will seriously wound the tree ... if you must restake use two stakes secured loosely to allow the tree room to move and grow without injury.

Give the plant a good washing down once in a while .. that will help the dust problem. The temps you mention are no problem for this plant but they do get a bit weather beaten in winter and growth will slow or stop at this time.

The plant can take a considerable amount of sun and do well in moderate to moderate heavy shade. At my home they do great growing as foundation plants on the north side of my two story home. Avoid reflected heat from patios .. walls or rock mulch. Use organic mulches around this plant.

The best bet with water is to pry into the soil .. look for moist but not soggy conditions and a clean earthy smelling soil not rotten egg smell.

The plant will do better in the ground but can be grown in large pots with drainage... about three times as wide as what you have now. Flush pots out once in a while to reduce salt build up.

The main problem with this plant in deserts is iron deficiency ( yellow leaves with green viens 0 .. salt build up ( leaves with yellow then brown tips and edges ). They need decent drainage so watch water carefully if planted in the ground .. pry into the soil.

All in all a tough plant. Try giving the plant a rest from pruning for a while. End of winter pruning is best .. light pruning anytime... be careful in summer ..pruning can expose shade leaves to sun and cause leaf burn .. ugly but not fatal.

Good luck.

Good Day ...

How did that plant do after that advice?

Here is a link that might be useful: Budget Plants