A simple model to study interacting instabilities and textures of resulting
patterns for thermal convection is presented. The model consisting of
twelve-mode dynamical system derived for periodic square lattice describes
convective patterns in the form of stripes and patchwork quilt. The interaction
between stationary zig-zag stripes and standing patchwork quilt pattern leads
to spatiotemporal patterns of twisted patchwork quilt. Textures of these
patterns, which depend strongly on Prandtl number, are investigated numerically
using the model. The model also shows an interesting possibility of a
multicritical point, where stability boundaries of four different structures
meet.Comment: 4 pages including 4 figures, page width revise