... this happened to me too often over the last few years - here's a tip - grab yourself some trays deep enough for a couple of cm of clay pebbles - and - the important bit - some capillary matting - its like a felt matt (get the good stuff you can wash) - between the clay pebbles in the tray and the capillary matting on top (the pot base needs to be in full contact with the matting) - you can just dump in a full run off and then fill up the tray till the water is just in contact with the matting and leave it to act as a wick for a few days. I wouldn't recommend it too often as you say - overwatering and all that, and you have to know how much water your likely to use. But even if it gives a couple of days of watering at least you don't come back to crispy bits.