September: Phalaenopsis deliciosa

September - the first month of autumn. In the Northeast this means cooler air and changing leaves, and undoubtedly for most, spending more time indoors - maybe on the computer playing Skyrim, watching numerous movies, or writing blog posts about orchids, whatever bakes your cake on a chilly day. 

Today, I am indoors and writing blog posts about orchids. And the orchid I want to highlight for September is a favorite in my collection, Phalaenopsis deliciosa.

It's got to be one of the cutest orchids I have come across, it's a mini phal that also has mini flowers. And they are really tiny - look at it next to my thumb!

Phalaenopsis deliciosa originates from Southeast Asia where it grows on tree trunks in warm, humid forests at low elevation. Its leaves grow to around 6 cm (only about 2.5 to 3 inches!) and it's flowers span to just 2cm (about 3/4 of an inch!).

It's leaves are also known to grow with a rippling effect along the outside and there are some varieties (like mine) that have a silvery, grey color to the the leaves, known plainly as Phal. deliciosa var. Silver Leaves. 

It doesn't have a fragrance, but when you can enjoy a tiny, cutie, blossom like this it doesn't need any! It has all it needs - just like us.

Happy growing! See you in October for our next "Orchid of the Month" - it'll be a spooky one!