Name: Platystele caudatisepala C.A.Luer
Etymology: caudatisepala = with tailed sepals — derived from the Latin caudatus (tailed) and sepalum (sepal), referring to the elongated tips of the sepals.

First description: 1976 by Carlyle August Luer.
Origin / Distribution: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Location / Habitat: Grows epiphytically in humid to very humid primary and secondary forests as well as montane cloud forests at elevations of 300 to 2000 meters. After deflasking, it requires shady to semi-shady conditions without direct sunlight, a constantly high humidity of 70–85 %, and cool-intermediate to intermediate temperatures.
Description & Notes: Platystele caudatisepala is a charming miniature orchid that forms dense clumps. The narrow, obovate-lanceolate leaves are separated from shoots that grow on short stems. Slender, upright inflorescences emerge from the leaf axils, producing numerous delicate flowers in succession over a long period. The tiny flowers vary in color from pale yellow to greenish-white and even delicately pink-tinted shades. The most striking feature is the widely spread sepals, which taper into very long, thread-like tips, giving the flower an elegant, star-like appearance. It is excellently suited for cultivation in humid terrariums or vivariums.
Cultivation note for sale (Orchipack): The young plants are in a sterile, closed glass jar on an agar-based nutrient medium. The system is completely self-sufficient as long as the container remains sealed. After reaching an adequate size, the plants are carefully removed, the agar residues are thoroughly rinsed off with lukewarm water, and the seedlings are pricked out into very fine substrate (such as fine pine bark or live sphagnum moss) under high humidity.

In-vitro culture: You will receive one bottle containing 4 young plants. The plants are generally already large enough for deflasking. After opening, carefully remove all of the nutrient medium from the very fine roots using lukewarm water and place the young plants on damp sphagnum or in a very fine, airy, and slightly moisture-retaining substrate. During the first few weeks, we recommend very high humidity, cool-intermediate to intermediate temperatures, shaded to bright filtered light, and gentle, continuous air movement. Keep the young plants evenly slightly moist and never allow them to dry out completely.