A botanical species endemic to Sumatra, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in warm, humid forests from sea level up to 100 m altitude, Phalaenopsis tetraspis was described by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach and currently has the following known synonyms: Phalaenopsis barrti King ex Hook. f. 1895; Phalaenopsis imperati; Phalaenopsis speciosa var tetraspis [Rchb.f] Sweet 1968; Phalaenopsis sumatrana var alba Wilson 1915; Polychilos speciosa (Rchb. f.) Shim 1982.
A medium-sized species, fond of warmth and humidity, it is distinguished by long leaves up to 30 cm, obovate, from shortly acute to obtuse, gradually narrowing towards the base where they attach to the short stem. It frequently blooms in spring on 2-5 lateral flower spikes, curved, about 30 cm long, racemose or paniculate, with a fractiflex rachis (the zig-zag appearance of the flower stem) longer than the leaves and bearing glossy, waxy-looking flowers with an intense fragrance.
Growing this species requires providing a medium light level of approximately 18000 – 22000 lux and protecting it from direct sunlight. The ideal photoperiod is 12 hours per day. The temperature can remain constant throughout the year, with 22 - 28 ℃ during the day and 18 – 22 ℃ at night. It is necessary to ensure a difference of 3 – 4 ℃ between night and day temperatures to ensure successful flowering.
Cultivation can be done in the classic system, in plastic or ceramic pots, perforated, with medium-sized pine bark (2 – 4 cm), in which case an atmospheric humidity of 55 – 60% will be ensured. If opting for the cultivation system on plaques, with bare roots, humidity will need to be increased to 70% and a small amount of sphagnum moss will be placed under the roots to maintain moisture.
Watering should only be done after the substrate has dried, at intervals of about a week or more, paying special attention to water that may stagnate between leaves and cause fungal and bacterial diseases. Fertilizers can be applied every third watering, at 50% dilutions of the concentrations indicated by the manufacturer.
The species does not require a rest period to trigger flowering, but it is stimulated by sharp temperature differences between day and night.
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