Your way seemed to work great btw, I just wanted to throw this out there. As far as watering goes, Just grab 3/4 inch clear plastic tubing. Hook however many feet of that up to a One way siphon pump. You know like ythe type you pump out an aquarium with. Strap that up to the top with a diffuser or irrigation head at the top with tubes feeding into each pot. That way you just have to drag the five gallon bucket to the bottom of the tree and hand pump it up to the pots. The first time your going to need A LOT of water but after its in there it there. Just empty the five gallon bucket up and you'll know the plants got their five gallons of water.