Paph. Clair de Lune 'Edgard van Belle' AM/AOS, FCC/RHS

[NEslipper]

Division of the original plant from Orchids Limited. This particular individual is from the original grex registered by Sanders in 1927. Cross is Paph. Emerald x Paph. Alma Gavaert. In my opinion, not bad for a 96 year-old plant! I don't grow a lot of maudiae, but I grow a few historical clones for the novelty. This plant has received two AMs from the AOS, the first in 1940 to Ernest Blaney Dane, and the second in 1967 to Clint McDade. Those active in the cattleya sub-threads on this forum will recognize those names as two of the most important names in alba cattleya breeding in the U.S. The flagship cross from the Dane's estate was C. Joyce Hannington and McDade is probably most famous for commercializing C. Bow Bells. I like to think these plants are all united again, growing on my windowsill! The photos of Edgard van Belle don't really do it justice, the flower is absolutely enormous, I have never seen it in person before and I was honestly shocked at how big the flower is. The dorsal is nearly 8cm across without unfurling it and pressing it against the ruler. It also presents beautifully on a tall, straight stem above the incredible mottled foliage. It's a gorgeous plant even out of bloom - I would definitely recommend it. Sorry about the background, but I found the black background distorted the color and made it more yellow than green.


With a 30cm ruler for scale






With a blackground, and a slightly oversaturated color:

 

[Ozpaph]

still a good flower after 100 years

 

[monocotman]

Love it!

 

[SlipperKing]

A tough plant to survive 100 years.

 

[Justin]

Excellent plant. I grew a piece for several years. Think I got it here on the forum actually. Had great, big flowers just like this. Sadly mine eventually died.

 

[Murray F]

Excellent clone

 

[Guldal]

Trés beau!

 

[NEslipper]

Excellent plant. I grew a piece for several years. Think I got it here on the forum actually. Had great, big flowers just like this. Sadly mine eventually died.

Oh no, did anything in particular happen that led to its demise? I hope you can get another piece, it’s such a pretty plant, even out of bloom!

 

[Justin]

Oh no, did anything in particular happen that led to its demise? I hope you can get another piece, it’s such a pretty plant, even out of bloom!

No I just neglected it and it went downhill over time. I would definitely grow it again.

 

[GuRu]

Simply wonderful !