How often should a clivia be watered? What kind of water is best for watering it?

The clivia is a plant native to tropical regions, so its demand for light and warmth is relatively strong, while its demand for water is relatively weak. It is precisely for this reason that we cannot water the clivia frequently the way we do when growing other plants; this is not only bad for the growth of the clivia but may even cause it harm. Therefore, mastering the method of watering the clivia is very important.

How to water a clivia

In different environments, the frequency and amount of watering for a clivia are different. Because of indoor temperature, humidity, the size of the flower pot, the air permeability of the potting soil and the influence of the seasons, the watering interval will not be fixed at one set period. We need to consider the interval between waterings as the environment changes.

1. Tap the flower pot

Tap the pot lightly with your finger at the 1/3 point. A relatively crisp sound means there is plenty of moisture in the potting soil, so water again after some time. A dull sound means the pot is dry and needs watering.

2. Weigh it by hand

If you are relatively sensitive to weight, lift the flower pot before watering to feel its weight, then lift it again after watering to feel it. Over time, you will have a rough value in mind. Each time you water, feel the weight of the pot and you will know whether it should be watered.

3. Probe the moisture

Probing is the most direct method. Push your finger into the potting soil to 1/3 of the way (basically the length of your index finger) and feel it. If it is moist, do not water; if it is wet or you cannot even push your finger in, it is time to water!

The number of waterings also differs in different seasons. The editor has briefly sorted it out:

1. In spring, water once a day;

2. In summer, use a spray bottle and spray the whole plant, including the surrounding area, with a layer of water. If it is cloudy, you do not need to water; if it is sunny, you can water once a day;

3. In autumn, wait one day in between before watering once;

4. In winter, watering once a week is enough.

But friends should note that the watering tips mentioned here by the editor also change according to the environment at the time. For example: if it is kept indoors in winter and the room is relatively dry, you can increase the number of waterings. On cloudy and rainy days in summer, you can extend the watering interval, and so on.

What kind of water is better for watering a clivia

1. Tap water

This is the most common choice, and it does not require much effort from us to collect or make. However, many flower lovers tend to water immediately with water just taken from the tap. Actually, this is not quite suitable. Although we say tap water is a very good choice, this refers to tap water that has been left to stand and settle. Generally speaking, it is more beneficial to let it stand for a whole day before watering. It can not only be used for watering; during the hottest part of summer, it can also be used for misting, sprayed onto the plant's leaves. However, be careful not to get it on the flowers.

2. Rainwater

Generally, there is more rain in summer, so this aspect mainly refers to summer. It is a gift from nature, with a high oxygen content and many ions, so overall it is a bit better than the first type. In addition, rainwater can combine with the soil in the pot and effectively prevent the soil from clumping. When it rains, collect it in a bucket and you can store a lot.

3. Rice-washing water

Rice-washing water has many uses, and one of them is for watering. It contains many nutrients, which are beneficial to the plant's growth and development. However, it needs to be diluted with water. Generally speaking, a ratio of one part rice-washing water to five parts water is fine. In addition, to prevent damage to the roots, it also needs to be fermented before use. It does not need to be used too many times; twice a month is enough.

4. Magnetized water

Many friends may not quite understand what this means. Actually, its production method is very simple: place a horseshoe magnet in water for about a few hours, and it is done. This kind of water can promote the plant's vitality and let it grow faster and better.

Fertilizing methods for clivia

1. Applying base fertilizer

Also called basal fertilizer. The main role of base fertilizer is to create conditions for the plant's development and satisfy its own nutrient needs. The base fertilizer for clivia is applied when repotting, once every 2 years. Commonly used base fertilizers include: animal manure, green manure, compost, bean cake fertilizer and so on.

Method: mix the base fertilizer with the soil before planting.

2. Topdressing

Topdressing is carried out during the plant's growth period. Commonly used fertilizers include: cake fertilizer, bone meal, fish meal and so on. As the plant grows older and its leaves grow larger, its own nutrient needs increase, and timely topdressing benefits the plant's growth.

Method: when fertilizing, scrape the potting soil open 2~3 cm, apply the fertilizer, and be careful not to get too close to the root system so as not to damage the roots. Usually once a month; during the growing period, the interval can be appropriately shortened to once every 20 days.

3. Applying liquid fertilizer as topdressing

For liquid fertilizer, you actually do not need to buy professional fertilizer. Simply soak fully decomposed animal and plant manure, take the clear liquid, and dilute it with water at 20~40 times, depending on the size of the young plant.

After fertilizing for 1~2 days, water once, with the aim of letting the liquid fertilizer seep down to the root system and better exert its fertilizing effect. Note that you should not water before fertilizing.

4. Foliar topdressing

When the nutrients in the soil are insufficient and the plant is deficient in fertilizer and grows slowly, foliar fertilization should be adopted at this time. Commonly used fertilizers include urea, superphosphate, monopotassium phosphate and so on

Method: dilute the fertilizer into a solution and spray it directly onto the plant's leaves; the nutrient elements will seep into the plant through the leaves. When spraying, be careful to spray both the front and back sides of the leaves evenly. Usually spray once every 4~6 days during the growing season, and once every 10~15 days in the semi-dormant state, spraying after sunrise.

The habits of clivia

Clivia is native to the tropical regions of southern Africa, growing under trees. It fears heat and tolerates cold, likes a semi-shaded and humid environment and avoids direct strong light. Its most suitable growing temperature is between 18~28°C; if the temperature is too low or too low, growth will be inhibited. Clivia is suitable for growing in a well-ventilated environment, and the suitable soil is loose, fertile, acidic organic soil. Clivia is a typical greenhouse flower and is suitable for indoor cultivation. Under normal care, a clivia blooms once a year; if the indoor maintenance temperature is suitable, it can bloom around the Spring Festival. However, it is very rare for it to bloom twice or even three times a year!

Rice-washing water and magnetized water are very suitable water for plants. Rice-washing water is rich in nutrients, while magnetized water can effectively attract the metal substances in the water to the magnet. This kind of water is very suitable for plant absorption, so when we usually grow plants, we can also use the method of watering with rice-washing water and magnetized water.