Nice test but at best your results will be inconclusive. Your sample size is far to small to be able to make any sort of accurate statistical conclusion. You need at least 9 plants (3 of each) for your results to be statistically meaningful. With a sample that small you cannot rule out the possibility of random chance. It will be interesting to see which does better, but all you can conclude is that you need to test further. Now if you can find more people to join you in this test then you will be in business!

I think it is wonderful to experiment with gardening concepts. However, I don't want you to think can stick it to Al based on the results of the test as you have it laid out now. I know of Al but I have not read his work. I can promise you that no amount of holes will speed the draining process of the pot. The reason is because of the capillary action of the soil that holds water in. Water will only drain from a pot where there is enough water for the gravitational force to overpower capillary action. Once you reach that equilibrium point the soil will stop draining. What the wick does is uses capillary action to your favor and pulls more water than gravity alone can out of the pot. I am sure Al knows this and he has great science backing his claims. But again it is always important to question scientific claims, because science wouldn't be science if the results weren't reproducible.

After I started wicking last year, I noticed a HUGE difference in plant vigor and drainage. I couldn't believe it. I've seen it with my own eyes and it works. (And make sense, too!)