I have to agree Sparky , i figured a wick system to be both a pain and unlikely method but after searching days for drip feeders i relented the morning of my departure and reached for the washing line and swiss army knife.
I employed the use of 2 large " simply orange" containers filled with water , dropped one end in and the other i placed near the edge of each plant pot.Using a bamboo kebab skewer i plunged the ends of the rope down into the depths of the soil.
Water containers were placed on a shelf higher than the shelf holding the plants , quite why i lost 2 out of the 5 while 3 remained in perfect condition is unknown to me but im pleased with the results.
Growth appears to have been stunted and slowed but new growth was clearly evident and plants had all trebled in size ( survivers)