Hi, Ellen - Wicks you intend to use to drain the soil needn't be as absorbent as those used to supply water from a source below the soil. To illustrate, saturate your soil in a plastic cup that has a drain hole in it. Allow it to stop draining, then push a toothpick part way into a drain hole so it hangs below the container bottom and observe how much additional water leaves the pot after flowing down the toothpick.

Usually, leaving about 3" hang below the container works very well, but there is no harm/disadvantage in using longer wicks. I use strands from a 100% rayon mop head.

Al

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