Watering

I am just wondering about different opinions on watering.I am going to start wicking,but don't have trays or containers yet.
For 14 or 15 years,I watered AVs,Sinns.and species Sinns.when the top inch or so of soil was dry.I kept Episcia slightly moister.I found that ( here I will use nicknames,because I can't spell) that Lipstick plants,Goldfish plants,and Hoyas bloomed better when they were allowed to dry more.
I honestly don't remember how I watered Chirita,Streps.,Kohleria,etc.,because I only grew a few of each from seeds.
I guess my real question is,am I going to drown Streps.with this method.I kep hearing about not overwatering them.I have the beautiful babies and a few larger ones that sweet Susan sent to me,and I am letting then get dry almost to the bottom of the little pots (just littleSolo cups for the babies and small squat pots for slightly larger ones),but not to the point of wilting.
I should add I use a very lean mix,with a lot of perlite and I tend to be an under waterer.
Lynn

Lynn, every single strep I own is now wicked..............with number 24 Mason's twine.............but it is a very light mix............someone said they read where you can use 1 part peat moss (not spaghnum to line baskets) and 3/4 perlite...............

I just happened to use Volkmann's wicking mix and then add a lot of extra perlite and they do great.

Thanks Gail.I use a mix called 3B,then add perlite,vermiculite and charcoal.For wicking,I added extra perlite.I guess I will just test wick a few and if that works well,I will wick the rest.

mine all have wicks but im using the 18 masons twine,also im using trays with grating
but im drape a mat over the grating so it sits in the bottom of the tray,and that becomes wicking too

That is a good idea, Jim!! Never thought of that...........

Jim,
I'm sorry,but I don't quite understand how that works.Could you explain a little more please?
Lynn

ok youve got a tray and some grating,(egg crating ) that fits on the first lip of the tray,i take a old blanket and cut it to fit the with of the crating but i make i long so it can fit over the ends and dip into the tray the plants sit on this and suck up water as they want,
JIM

Before we moved, that's how many of my plant were watered . . .

If I were going to be out of town for an extended period, that is exactly what I would do..........right now I just fill the trays before I leave town.........

Ok,thanks Jim.I think I understand now.The plants are actually watered with the capillary mat and the wicks don't actually hang down into the water,right?
Lynn