Clivia Care: Growing Methods and Precautions
SummaryPot selection: Clay pots have good breathability and are suitable for growing clivia. Soil disinfection: Fine sand can be rinsed with boiling water to disinfect it, and humus soil can be sprayed with potassium permanganate to disinfect it. Potting: Clivia should not be planted too deep; simply bury the pseudobulb at the base of the offset, cover with sandy soil, and then water thoroughly. Temperature: Keeping it at around 18°C is best. Light: Strong direct sunlight should be avoided in summer; in winter, full light is fine. Watering: It dislikes waterlogging; just keep the potting soil moist. Fertilizing: In winter, a single application of solid fertilizer can be given.
I. Clivia
Clivia is actually a variety of Clivia miniata; its leaves are shorter, rounder, and wider, while those of Clivia miniata are longer, more pointed, and narrower. In addition, when it blooms, the direction the flowers face differs: “flowers facing up are Clivia, flowers facing down are Clivia miniata.” Clivia has relatively better quality, so it is more valuable than Clivia miniata.
II. Dividing Clivia
1. Pot selection
To divide clivia, you first need to prepare the pot. Clay pots are generally used, as they have good breathability, which helps the plant develop and grow. Porcelain and ceramic pots should not be used.
2. Soil disinfection
It is best to disinfect the planting soil first, so that the young offsets do not become infected with pathogens and rot. If you use fine sand mixed with humus soil, the fine river sand should first be rinsed with scalding boiling water to disinfect it, while the humus soil can be sprayed with a 1000-2000 times water solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect it. Next, to absorb moisture and prevent rot, you can prepare a small amount of charcoal powder to apply to the wounds.
3. Division
When dividing, first dig the clivia out of the pot and remove the old soil. If the offset grows on the outer edge of the mother plant and is relatively small, you can simply tear and pry it a bit to separate the offset from the mother plant. If the offset is thick and strong and hard to pry off, you can cut it off with a sharp small knife. Be careful not to force it, otherwise the young plant is easily damaged. In addition, after cutting off the offset, you can apply dry charcoal to the wound, which helps absorb the flowing sap and prevent rot.
4. Potting
Clivia should not be planted too deep; simply bury the pseudobulb at the base of the offset, then cover with a layer of treated sandy soil. After planting, water thoroughly, and after 2 weeks, once the wound has healed well, cover with a layer of growing medium. New roots can grow in about 1-2 months, and it can bloom in 1-2 years.
III. Daily Care of Clivia
1. Temperature
Clivia is a tropical plant, but it should not be grown in a high-temperature environment. To let it grow normally, the indoor temperature must be well controlled; generally, keeping the growing temperature for clivia at around 18°C is suitable.
2. Light
Generally, in a high-temperature summer environment, strong direct sunlight should be avoided, and appropriate shading should be provided. In winter, it can be placed in a sunny spot for care, which helps produce deep green leaves, large flowers, and vivid colors.
3. Watering
Clivia has fleshy roots and dislikes waterlogging. Especially in winter, it should be watered sparingly and not excessively; this can be done together with fertilizing. Just keep the potting soil moist. Each time you water, be sure to water thoroughly. During the budding stage, the amount of watering can be appropriately increased.
4. Fertilizing
In winter, clivia can be given a single application of solid fertilizer, with additional potassium and phosphorus fertilizer and a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer. A nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer can also be applied, which helps promote the plant to produce new offsets and new leaves.