Umm im not sure wat u meen by the drip pump becuase i have a pump that has hoses hooked up to the net pots n just runs water threw the pots..no dripping.But as for how many plants I have the 6 pot kit and i only planted 2 at a time.
But if wat u meen by the drip pump is that it just drips water constantly i think you would be safe to run that 24/7...i run my pump 15 mins every 3 hours.