What are the cultivation methods and precautions for growing clivia?

SummarySoil: Clivia prefers soil rich in humus, with a certain degree of air permeability and water permeability. Light: It is best placed in a semi-shaded, semi-sunny environment. Temperature: It begins to go dormant below 5°C, and the suitable temperature in winter is 15-20°C. Watering: Clivia has a certain degree of drought tolerance, so water only when the potting soil is dry. Fertilizing: Mainly nitrogen fertilizer; no additional fertilizing is needed in winter and summer, and in spring and autumn fertilize once every other month. Pruning: In summer, cut off excess flower stalks. Pest and disease control: Mainly prevent scale insects and earthworms.

Clivia is native to Africa and was introduced to our country for cultivation in recent years. It is a highly ornamental plant. Clivia is currently very popular among consumers on the market, and many people choose to grow it at home. However, when growing it, some people also encounter problems due to improper techniques, so how exactly should it be grown?

1. How to grow clivia

1. Soil is the most important part of a plant's survival. Clivia likes soil rich in humus, very fertile, and with relatively good air permeability and water permeability, suitable for the respiration of clivia's roots.

2. Mixing some fine sand and gravel into the already prepared soil helps clivia develop roots, but the sand and gravel do not need to be too much; about 50% is enough.

3. The most suitable light condition for clivia is semi-shade and semi-sun. Build a shade shed for clivia, preferably with perforated shading material, which can both block sunlight and give clivia sunlight exposure. In addition, if there is tree shade, a grape trellis, or something similar, placing clivia under the tree shade or grape trellis is even more perfect.

2. Cultivation methods for clivia

1. Clivia begins to go dormant and stop growing below 5°C, so the suitable growing temperature in winter is 15-20°C, and it is best not to go below 10°C. After the flower stalk emerges, the temperature should be kept at around 18°C, and the day-night temperature difference should preferably be around 10°C; otherwise, the flower stalk will bloom before reaching the proper height, easily forming “stalk clamping”.

2. Water is also an indispensable part of plant growth. Clivia has well-developed fleshy roots that can store more water and has a certain degree of drought tolerance, so clivia should not be watered too frequently; water again when the surface of the potting soil is dry.

3. The correct way to fertilize clivia should be to apply fermented solid fertilizer once every other month in spring and autumn, and apply liquid fertilizer once a week, mainly nitrogen fertilizer. It is best not to apply additional fertilizer in winter and summer, or in winter apply solid fertilizer once to clivia, with less nitrogen fertilizer and more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.

3. Precautions for growing clivia

1. In summer, be sure to cut off excess flower stalks. The normal flowering period of clivia is from New Year's Day to the Spring Festival. Stalks that emerge in summer cannot produce good flowers, and if they are not cut off in time, they will consume nutrients and affect normal growth and flowering in winter and spring.

2. We can first store cold water indoors for 1-2 days, so that harmful substances in the water settle or evaporate, and also leave enough time for the cold water to warm up.

4. What to do if clivia leaves turn yellow

1. Entire leaf turns yellow

(1) When the entire leaf of clivia turns yellow, it not only affects the ornamental value of clivia, but is also unfavorable to its growth.

(2) At this time, cut off the yellow leaves and provide shade for the clivia, which can alleviate the yellowing of the leaves.

2. Localized yellowing of leaves

(1) When localized yellowing of leaves occurs in clivia, it is actually mostly due to improper daily care. In summary, the daily care work for clivia should be done well.

(2) Do a good job in water and fertilizer management, water and fertilize reasonably, and avoid the potting soil being too wet or concentrated fertilizer burning the roots, which causes clivia leaves to turn yellow.

(3) Also pay attention to frequently ventilating clivia so that it grows in a well-ventilated environment, and pay attention to the choice of soil.

5. Common pests of clivia and their control

1. Scale insects

For scale insects, prevention should be the main approach. Usually observe the plant body more often, and once pests are found, deal with them early. When infestation occurs, integrated manual and chemical control can be used. When small insects appear on the leaves, scrape them off directly, or remove the insects with a thin bamboo stick. If a large number of insects appear, spray with a 2 iminodithiophosphorus emulsion solution, or use omethoate emulsifiable concentrate; usually spraying 1-2 times can kill them.

2. Earthworms

Usually earthworms will not appear spontaneously in the soil, but you should observe frequently. If round soil pellets appear on the surface of the potting soil, immediately use dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate diluted with water for irrigation. After irrigation, if earthworms move, remove them immediately. Repeat the above steps once after a week to eradicate them completely.

When growing clivia, be sure to pay attention to the soil ratio, and then do a good job controlling light and temperature. It should not be exposed to strong light for a long time, so shading must be done well. When growing clivia, it may also cause the phenomenon of leaves turning heavily yellow. To solve it, you must find the cause from the root, and then treat it.