Name: Lepanthes Jmcalsa (Lepanthes saltatrix × Lepanthes calodictyon f. xanthina)
Etymology: Jmcalsa = a compound coined word in honor of the registrant, Jean-Marc Pallandre.
First description: This primary hybrid cross was registered by Jean-Marc Pallandre with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 2010.
Origin / Distribution: Garden hybrid (both parent species originally come from the humid lowland to foothill cloud forests of Ecuador).
Location / Habitat: Epiphytic in cultivation. The parent species grow in shady, permanently moist, humid understory zones at low to mid elevations (approx. 400 to 1,000 meters). Unlike many highland representatives of the genus, it requires a warm to intermediate microclimate.
Description & Notes: Lepanthes Jmcalsa is a spectacular, extremely decorative miniature hybrid orchid. It combines the outstanding leaf characteristics of both parents: the leaves are rounded-heart-shaped (cordate), delicately wavy, and display striking, net-like venation (reticulation) on a bullous, sculptural leaf surface. Due to the influence of the yellow color form calodictyon f. xanthina, the leaf and flower coloration tends toward lighter, yellowish-green shades, paired with bizarre, intensely colored flowers that lie flat on the leaf surface.

Due to its origins in warmer, constantly moist forest regions, this hybrid is more robust in indoor and display-case cultivation than pure highland Lepanthes, but absolutely cannot tolerate cool conditions. Its compact stature and need for consistently high humidity (over 60%) make it a perfect plant for terrariums, paludariums, and rainforest display cases. Ideally, it should be mounted in the shade on cork with a thin, always slightly moist moss base (e.g., Sphagnum), with continuous, gentle air circulation being essential.

In-vitro culture: You will receive a flask with 4 young plants. The plants are generally already large enough to be removed from the flask. After opening, carefully remove the growing medium from the fine roots with lukewarm water and place the young plants on moist Sphagnum or in a very fine, airy substrate. For the first few weeks, we recommend very high humidity, warm to intermediate temperatures, protected light, and gentle, continuous air movement. Keep the young plants consistently slightly moist and never let them dry out completely.