do you guys leave the plate/water reserve cup that holds a few inches of water at the bottom of the pot , on? or do you take it out for complete drainage?

I'm referring to outside pots.

I leave mine on.  I have pots with and without, and most do better with the bottoms attached.  

If I had a better and more consistent watering system then I would probably go without.

Hi George

I would take the pot off the plate. I do this on all my pots. Even the ones that are snapped on, I take them off with a large screwdriver. Figs like well draining soil and unless you are using a fast draining mix that plate can keep your bottom half of the pot soaking wet and drown the roots. The roots like air so by removing the plate you encourage that. Yes, you will have to water more often but your roots/tree will grow faster, at least mine do.

Good luck!

depends on how much water is available. 2 yrs ago, it was necessary to have bottom feed with lack of rain. last yr and this yr, i'm not using them since it's raining so much. when it's hot and dry, it helps to have water on the plate. the tree will soak it up.

I put a layer of rocks in my pots with well draining soil mix and keep the plate under. In California heat the water disappears by noon no matter how much is in a saucer and the rocks keep the roots a bit off the water and allow some oxygen. But YMMV, it all depends on your climate, how deep is the saucer and what soil you are using. For now I am happy, this keeps the concrete clean.

Hi
just to day i measured my soil temp in black pots and it was 45 degrees celsius-113 farhenit.

my small trees hold very good but still i would get much better growth if i shaded them..

anyhow be carfull if using a saucer cause the excess water that wick from below can split and cause premature fruit  fall and excess ostiole opening which lets the ants in..