The Four Shield Phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis tetraspis, also known as 'The Four Shield Phalaenopsis', is endemic to the Andaman Islands, the Nicobar Islands and northwestern Sumatra, found growing in hot and humid conditions. Phalaenopsis tetraspis was first described by the renowned 19th-century botanist Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in 1870.
Overview
Light: Bright, filtered light
Temperature: Hot
Water: Abundant
Size: Medium (leaf length <30cm)
Flowering Season: Spring-Summer
Flower size: 4-6cm
Scent: Highly perfumed during the day, often compared to sweet mango
Variants:
- Phal. tetraspis var. alba
- Phal. tetraspis C1 (syn. Phalaenopsis speciosa)
CULTURE
While thermophilic, Phalaenopsis tetraspis will adapt to home conditions. They can be grown mounted or grown in pots in an all-purpose orchid bark mix. If mounted, they will require very high humidity in order to stay hydrated. Consider placing sphagnum moss around the roots for moisture retention if you decide to mount the plant.
Water abundantly year-round, allowing the media to dry slightly, though not completely, in between waterings. Overdrying or low humidity will result in flowers dropping prematurely. Fertilising should be done 'weakly, weekly' (1/4-1/2 strength) during active growth. As with all phals, when using commercial fertilisers, be sure to flush out any excess salt build-up by running water through the pot once a month or so as the excess salts can desiccate or burn the roots of the plant.
A note on flower spikes: This species is a sequential bloomer, producing buds from the tips of previous years' inflorescence for several years, eventually resulting in a mass of blooms from multiple flower spikes. Thus, flower spikes are best left until they start to yellow & dry off.
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