I am kind of old-fashioned, and that scenario would bother me....but if you can ensure that the roots will dry out in betwen watering, then go for it. My advice would be to pot it properly with adequate drainage and then place it inside the 16" pot. Moderately doesn't add up for orchids...maybe for succulents. They like to be drowned for a few minutes, then dry for a few hours, and then drowned again the next day if they were in their 80F jungle conditions during monsoon season. The sitting water would add humidity, but would also cause the media to rot since it doesn't breathe...and that is more detrimental to the plant than media which periodically dries out. Any particular reason you want them in that pot? Individual potted phals would be easier to rotate as they come into flower and tehn displayed in this particular pot.

Roots need air. Plant in a normal pot and display in the wood cube. I don't think this idea will afford a healthy growing environment no matter how careful you are.

Jane

Thanks guys! I agree.

Now, I'll place a pot inside the my wood cube, but I don't want to see the ugly pot inside.

I was thinking of gluing the Reindeer Moss to cheese cloth or some other material so I can hide the pot inside and easily remove and replace the sheet for watering.

Suggestions?

Even if you manage the moisture/water levels so as not to drown the roots, you still have a potential long term danger to the plant.
Without adequate drainage, all the waste material from the plant and decomposing potting media will just build up at the bottom of the pot. This could lead to hazardous concentrations of unwanted compounds in the pot.
Any excess fertilizer would accumulate at the bottom of the pot as well.

Here are a few examples of what I mean. Don't glue anything, its not necessary. These are a couple of shots of 'pots inside pots.'

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You can sit the ugly pots on some peanuts inside the nice pot. This way you have air space under the plant. You can place some sphag moss around the top to hide the roots or spaces if you like. Don't put your plants into an airless space.

Jane

Can you drill holes in the bottom of the wood cube & metal insert? Raise the Phal pots to the desired level w/ styrofoam peanuts. The best of both worlds?

Whitecat8

You can also use Spanish moss to wind around the top of any container to hide it. If you go to an orchid show, Spanish moss is draped everywhere and looks very natural.

Brooke

I vote for Spanish moss too. Easy to move when you need to water or check things out, hides the uglies.

Thanks everyone!!!

I got a nursery pot from a florist (which when placed in my wood cube has ample air space around it) and cut lots of vertical strips out for holes and added plenty of holes at the bottom; put peanuts on the bottom for more airflow.

Now, i'm just waiting for my very light, very fluffy Reindeer Moss to arrive which should give the roots ample room to breath.

Thank you for all of your ideas!!!!!

Sincerely,
Jeff