Phalaenopsis tetraspis var. alba.....my first Phal species!

[peeweelovesbooks]

I just purchased this Phal from bigleaforchids.com!! I'm excited over it as it's my first phal species ever!!!

I am trying to go back to my roots, so to speak, and I have determined that growing different types of orchids is just not for me. Too many types of cultural requirements and too much time. It makes for very unhappy plants and a very unhappy Maria. So, I've decided to stick with phals, catts, Laelias and Renantheras. That's it. If it falls outside of these categories, Maria isn't growing them.


I can't show you a picture cause I've not received the plant and Mr. Lin took it off his website already. He indicated to me that it was 1-2 years from flowering and that it likes drier conditions. Any other tips?????

[OrchidSue]

Congratulations on your first species and warning, species Phals are addictive .

Tetraspis is great. I have 2 cultivars and both are just blooming fools. I havn't found them to be any different than the other Phal species I grow and both seem to be quite vigorous. Don't let it dry out too much when blooming. I lost a couple buds when I was gone over the holidays because they got too dry. Plants are okay and more buds a-comin' . In fact it looks like a bud on the 'C #1' is going to have spots .

Susan

[Royal]

Congrats, Maria. I'm sure you'll do just fine with it. Stick it with your other Phals that are doing well, you can adjust from there if needed.

I had to limit myself too. I'm trying to shift from being a mediocre grower with a huge variety to a good grower focusing on certain groups. So far it's helped but I still need to narrow things down more.

[Bird Song Farm]

Good for you Maria! You sure picked a nice one to start your species collection with! Sure hope mine come around this year. All my phals, whether species or hybrids run about 2 months behind everyone "down south".
Sue covered your question I think.

Royal:
I like your thinking! Trying to do the same. When I lose one now I don't necessarily replace it. I guess it's a good thing but I don't lose very many. LOL So will be awhile before I get down to a managable size collection. Will probably sell off some this summer.

Al

[peeweelovesbooks]

Thanks for the good wishes!! I'm excited to be getting it...the pic of it looks beautiful and I have a special place in my heart for albas of anything.


Yes, as Royal noted, I don't want to be mediocre at collecting lots of orchids when I think I can be an exemplary grower of a few genera.

I just gave away about 1/2 of my collection (I'd say about 45-50 orchids), so I'm starting relatively fresh. I just have laelias, catts and a few renantheras. Oh, and my beloved Eulophiella seedlings. The rest I've given away to a good home and I hope the new owner will be able to grow them much better than I have.

It's a constant challenge to limit myself, but I just feel I'll be happier doing so. Everything is so beautiful though. It's hard.

[orchidsworld]

Well... tetraspis var alba doesn't exist... in facts tetraspis is really variable... sometimes you will have red spots, and the next flower will be white... but to have a real tetraspis var alba, the lip should be white too... and i never saw this...

I have several tetraspis... one always got red strips, one never (but lip is coloured), and the last one have both type of flowers on the same stem...

[trdyl]

Maria, Welcome to the species club! I do enjoy a few hybrids but really like the species.

[natasha]

i saw some all-white tetraspis yesterday (including lip, not even a spot of colour there), but didn't get any as i'm more interested in the normal one from my last visit to the nursery. i did get a normal tetraspis though... and a venosa, an amboinensis and a hieroglyphyca. dunno whether the last two spelt correctly or not? plus a pulcherrima x equestris in shade of blue. and i come just to buy a tetraspis and a phaius tankervillae, and bring back about 10 chids??? hope mr husband didn't count how much chid i actually have coz i also don't know... the all white tetraspis is sure in my next shopping list, together with fimbriata and pulchra...

[RosieC]

Congratulations on your first species. I bought my first just a few weeks ago and it's really exciting. Hope yours grows well for you!

[Bird Song Farm]

Natasha, Maria and Rosie, I hope your growing experience with Phal. species is long and enjoyable.

Al