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Maybe consider a corrugated (tough) pipe from rez to surface
so you can efficiently get the water to the rez without runoff.
Saplings are often planted with a watering pipe like that.
I tried this with ganja and it made no difference to my plants
because it rains enough here anyway.
You can get aquarium pipe suitable for the job and probably some kind of plug or cap
for it as well, though a rag would probably do.
I got your idea on filling the rez with porous material but you will still have to cover it up especially if you plan on reusing the site a few times with no further maintenance.
I grow outdoors in homemade smartpots.
They are on the native ground and have no bottom.
I have to empty them and refill every year.
This is because the surrounding trees will shoot roots and invade the containers competing for water and nutrients with your plants.
I think the same thing will happen to you.Especially if you grow in a dry location where native plants and trees are naturally adapted to make the better use of water.