Temperature and ventilation
This is one of the most heat-loving and heat-resistant orchids. An ideal regimen for phalaenopsis tetraspis is considered to be increased room temperature with a night drop of 5 degrees.
This orchid blooms most magnificent at a temperature of about 30 degrees during the day and 25 degrees at night. But ordinary room temperatures with a difference from 22-25 in the afternoon to 16-18 at night are suitable for them.
It is not necessary to grow a four-leafed phalaenopsis in rooms where the temperature even drops below 16 degrees even at night in winter (and it is better not to let it drop to 18 degrees).
This is one of the orchids that love stable heat with diurnal differences and do not need any changes in the temperature regime at different stages of development. Even during the rest period, the temperatures do not change (in fact, they do not have a rest period or are almost imperceptible for 1-2 weeks).
Unlike many other orchids, tetraspis is a culture of enclosed spaces. Due to the thermophilicity and the fear of too bright light, it is not worthwhile to take four-shield phalaenopsis to balconies or to the garden. Airing for this orchid is carried out very carefully, it does not tolerate drafts and temperature changes during the day.
Phalaenopsis tetraspis ‘Purple Blue’
Caring for Phalaenopsis four-shield at home
This is one of the easiest orchids to care for. Sufficiently hygrophilous, not demanding on irrigation methods, phalaenopsis tetraspis is almost indifferent to top dressing and does not complicate the schedule of household duties. It is up to beginners to grow it – but for this you need patience and a willingness to watch the plant.
Watering and humidity
Unlike many other species of orchids, phalaenopsis tetraspis is able to be content not only with submersible watering. Four-leaf Phalaenopsis can be watered with the classical method, and when grown on blocks – with the help of soul spraying or micro-spraying.
Phalaenopsis tetraspis outside the substrate develops best when heated, which is usually repeated 2 times a day in the summer.
This phalaenopsis is more hygrophilous than its varietal descendants. When watering, you need to focus on the color of the roots (a more saturated green tint when drying the soil changes to an almost colorless whitish) and, accordingly, the drying of the substrate. It is dried qualitatively between waterings, but they never allow the soil to dry completely.
Watering when growing leaves and peduncles should be more intense. During flowering, they are not greatly reduced (tetraspies with excessive drying of the soil can drop flowers and bloom much faster when humidity is low). And in the dormant period, if the orchids stop growing or simply “sit”, they are made as rare as possible, drying out the soil harder, but still never drying completely.
Water quality for this species orchid is very important. Four-leaf Phalaenopsis prefers watering and spraying with distilled water. Watering is best done in the morning. The optimum water temperature is from 35 to 54 degrees. With any method of watering, excess water is removed between the leaves, drying the plant after wetting.
Phalaenopsis tetraspis surprisingly well adapts to average air humidity when grown in pot form, but only under condition of high-quality watering. Orchid retains decorativeness and the ability to bloom and with humidity indicators of about 60%, usually grows well in any residential premises.
When grown on blocks, 60% are considered the minimum allowable moisture values. Of course, with any method of cultivation, the restoration of a close to natural environment with a humidity of about 80-90% will enhance both flowering and decorative leaves, increase the number of peduncles and flowers.
But if it is impossible to maintain four-shield phalaenopsis in optimal conditions, they will not be too capricious in a more modest environment.
Methods for increasing air humidity can be selected at your discretion. Phalaenopsis tetraspis love spraying, but only in the morning. But it is much more efficient to use industrial humidifiers and their home counterparts.