Name: Lepanthes fimbriata Ames
Etymology: fimbriata = fringed — refers to the characteristically fringed edges of the floral parts (especially the sepals).
First described: In 1923 by Oakes Ames in Schedulae Orchidianae (3: 11).
Origin / Distribution: Costa Rica and Panama.
Location / Habitat: Grows epiphytically in humid montane cloud forests at elevations of approximately 1,200 to 2,200 meters. It inhabits deeply shaded areas with consistently moist air in the moss-rich understory.
Description & Notes: Lepanthes fimbriata is a delicate miniature orchid with upright, slender stems sheathed in the genus’s characteristic lepanthiform sheaths. Each stem tip bears a single upright, leathery, ovate-elliptic leaf. The slender, successively flowering inflorescence usually develops on the back of the leaf and produces delicate flowers one after another. Its namesake feature is the finely fringed or ciliate edges of the sepals, giving the tiny flowers a fascinating, delicate structure when viewed under a magnifying glass.

In cultivation, this species requires intermediate to cool-temperate conditions with a noticeable drop in temperature at night. Since it has no storage organs, the growing medium must never be allowed to dry out completely. It grows best mounted on cork with a permanently slightly moist layer of sphagnum moss, or in tiny mesh pots kept at consistently high humidity above 80% with continuous, gentle air movement.

In vitro culture: You will receive a flask containing 4 young plants. The plants are generally large enough to be deflasked. After opening the flask, remove the growing medium from the delicate roots very carefully with lukewarm water, then place the young plants on moist sphagnum or in a very fine, airy growing medium. For the first few weeks, we recommend very high humidity, intermediate to cool-temperate conditions, sheltered light, and gentle air movement. Keep the young plants consistently slightly moist and never allow them to dry out completely.