bisco_bonsai

What about using a larger size particle of the same texture at the bottom of the pot instead of gravel? By this I mean using larger clay particle under smaller clay particles instead of using gravel under smaller clay particles. This might actually increase capillarity and wick water back up to the roots instead of creating perched water in the macropores. Any reason why this wouldn't work? You could just save all your larger particles after sieving you soil, mix them together, and create a sort of "bottom dressing" that is the same soil texture as the soil above. Just a thought.
All the best,
JDL