Paph. Alma Gevaert

(Maudiae 'Bernice' AM/AOS x lawrenceanum 'Birchwood' HCC/AOS)

Registered in 1911, Paph. Alma Gevaert is truly one of the classic Maudiae-type hybrids. While the most famous cultivar of this grex is undoubtedly the mammoth green-and-white 'Madame Maurice Mertens', Alma Gevaert also exists in coloratum and vinicolor forms. Standard mottled-leaf Maudiae-type culture applies: low-to-intermediate light, even moisture, and intermediate-to-warm temperatures.

This particular cross was marketed as a lawrenceanum outcross between the green-and-white alba (fma. hyeanum) cultivar 'Bernice' and the normal-colored cultivar 'Birchwood'. However, this flower is clearly not lawrenceanum, particularly with regards to its slightly downswept petals with warts only on the upper margin. In addition, the foliage failed to match the distinctive yellowish-green tessellation of the lawrenceanum species. A reliable source confirmed that lawrenceanum 'Bernice' is in fact not true lawrenceanum at all, but most likely the primary hybrid Maudiae...which would make this flower most likely an Alma Gevaert.

photo taken on 08-07-07
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