What are the latest methods for watering a clivia (Clivia miniata)?
Watering flowers is actually a technical skill, so do not underestimate it. Most flower lovers water their beloved plants casually without ever considering whether their watering method is correct or whether watering this way will actually work. Today, regarding clivia, the editor will explain to you how to water clivia and the methods for watering clivia!
1. What kind of water is good for clivia
There are many types of water, and the water we usually use to water flowers must be chosen according to the characteristics of the corresponding flower, using the appropriate and suitable water for irrigation.
1. Hard water
Hard water refers to water containing a relatively high amount of salts. Long-term use of hard water containing large amounts of calcium and magnesium mineral salts to water clivia will make the potting soil alkalized and compacted, with poorer permeability, causing brown spots on the leaves of the clivia plant, affecting its ornamental effect, or causing toxic symptoms such as dry leaf tips, loss of green color, yellowing, and shedding, seriously affecting the plant's growth and flowering. Therefore, hard water is not suitable for watering clivia.
2. Soft water
Among soft waters, rainwater and snow water are relatively good. Rainwater is a nearly neutral water, contains no minerals, and has more air (the suitable pH value for clivia is 6.0-7.0). Therefore, using rainwater to water clivia is very suitable. If rainwater can be used for a long time to water clivia, it helps promote the assimilation of clivia, prolong the cultivation period, and improve its ornamental value. Therefore, during the rainy season, one should try to store more rainwater for later use. Snow water can also be used, but note that the snow must be melted to room temperature before it can be used for watering.
3. River water, pond water
Because the water in ponds mainly comes from rainwater, it is soft water. On rainy days, surface runoff collects in ponds, so pond water contains more nutrients. If pond water can be used for a long time to water clivia, no fertilizer need be applied, and the clivia will still grow robustly, with glossy leaf color and large, brightly colored flowers. Although river water can also be used for watering, the sources of river water are broader and it is not always mainly rainwater, so river water is still not as good as pond water.
4. Tap water
The tap water we use in daily life has undergone a series of treatment and processing by the waterworks. Because tap water has undergone disinfection and sedimentation treatment, its hardness is not high and it contains fewer impurities. Although it contains trace amounts of volatile chloral-type chemicals, it still has relatively high safety and reliability for clivia. If it can be left open for a few days until the chlorine in the water evaporates before use, the effect will be even better.
5. Groundwater
For example, water from wells or underground mineral water both belong to groundwater. Generally, it has high hardness, high mineralization, contains various impurities, and sometimes also contains more chlorine, so it is not suitable for directly watering clivia. But if it is pre-stored and exposed to the sun so that minerals settle and chlorine-containing substances volatilize, it can also be used to water clivia.
6. Magnetized water
Recently it is said that using magnetized water to irrigate clivia has a very good effect. The water temperature should be close to the soil temperature, and around 20°C in spring and autumn is relatively suitable. Using magnetized water to water clivia can promote the plant's metabolism, make clivia grow vigorously with green leaves and abundant flowers, and also has the effect of preventing leaf spot disease in clivia.
7. Domestic wastewater
The various kinds of water we have used in daily life, such as dishwashing water, foot-washing water, rice-washing water, and so on, all belong to domestic wastewater. Many people think that the components contained in these waters are beneficial for watering clivia, but in fact the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Especially for flowers grown on balconies, the water used for irrigation should still be cleaner; it is best not to use wastewater for irrigation. Even if it were not bad for the clivia, people cannot stand the smell, right? In particular, dishwashing water containing soap, laundry detergent, and grease must not be used, as these waters are toxic.
2. How to water clivia
Flowers like clivia very much enjoy a moist soil environment, so we must maintain soil moisture. However, if too much water is given, the air in the soil will be squeezed out by the water, and the roots of the clivia will be unable to breathe, causing oxygen deficiency; over time this will lead to root rot. If too little water is given, the potting soil will be too dry, which will directly affect the plant's metabolic activities. If the water shortage exceeds a certain limit, the plant will wither and die. So having said that, too much watering is not good, and too little watering is even worse. What should be done then? Please keep reading!
1. Combine thorough and non-thorough watering
Do not water thoroughly every time, and do not always fail to water thoroughly. When only the surface layer is short of water, replenish only the surface water; when the water content in the lower layer is insufficient, then water thoroughly.
2. Combine dry and wet
The soil should often be in a dry——semi-dry and semi-wet——wet state (note that when dry, the soil water content must not be lower than 30%). This is beneficial to the survival of aerobic microorganisms and anaerobic microorganisms in the potting soil, and is beneficial to the growth of clivia.
3. Combine water and fertilizer
Add a little liquid fertilizer each time you water. This is not only beneficial for improving water quality, but also very beneficial to the growth of clivia.
4. When transplanting and planting at home, the surface layer of the potting soil is often easier than in a greenhouse or cellar. If large amounts of water are used for irrigation, often because the water volume is too large and too rapid, it is either not watered evenly or not watered thoroughly. The suitable method is: when the plant does not need thorough watering, use a pressurized spray bottle to moisten and penetrate the surface of the potting soil. When thorough watering is needed, use a special watering can (with many small holes at the spout) to sprinkle water evenly over every part of the potting soil, thereby achieving the best watering effect.
5. Combine top and bottom
When clivia needs thorough watering, place the flowerpot in a large basin containing a certain amount of water, so that the water in the basin can slowly seep into the potting soil through the holes in the bottom of the pot. If you want to speed up watering, use a small container to pour the water in the basin from above. After thorough watering, drain away the water flowing out of the pot. Households growing a relatively small number of clivia can use this method.
3. What issues should be noted when watering clivia
Besides choosing the type of water and how to irrigate, what other issues do we need to pay attention to? In fact, there are still some other factors we need to note. Let's take a look!
1. Do not water when the temperature is too high or too low
In summer, the temperature is high, especially highest at 2-3 o'clock. Watering at this time will cause the temperature of the potting soil to drop sharply, thereby causing the root system's water absorption capacity to decline, resulting in the plant's internal water needed for leaf cooling not being supplied normally, causing the plant to develop “physiological drought,” and in severe cases, wilting. In winter, the temperature is relatively low. Especially when the temperature is below 10°C, the plant's water absorption is obviously weakened, and it is basically in a semi-dormant state. If a large amount of water is given at this time, the plant not only cannot absorb it, but the potting soil will also remain overly wet for a long time, causing root rot. Therefore, watering in summer should generally be done before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.; in winter, it should be done when the room temperature is above 10°C. When below 10°C, water less.
2. The water temperature and soil temperature should be similar
The difference between water temperature and soil temperature must not be too great. Especially in winter, in order to avoid the plant “catching a chill,” caused by too great a temperature difference, tap water or well water must never be used directly to water flowers. First store the cold water indoors for 1-2 days. On the one hand, this allows harmful substances in the water to settle or evaporate; on the other hand, it also leaves enough time for the cold water to warm up.
3. Water quality must be handled well
In the city, most water is tap water, while in rural areas it is mostly well water. Urban tap water has mostly undergone disinfection treatment and contains chlorine, which is harmful to clivia plants. Groundwater such as well water has high hardness and contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Long-term use will make the soil alkalized and compacted. Therefore, these waters must be stored for 1-2 days, commonly known as “ageing the water.” When necessary, a small amount of acidic substances such as ferrous sulfate and oxalic acid also needs to be added to neutralize the water quality.
4. A fixed watering cycle is not advisable
Watering clivia should be determined according to various factors such as season, climatic conditions, different growth stages, plant health status, soil structure, and pot material and size, in order to decide whether to water and how much to water.
The above is an introduction to how to water clivia and the methods of watering. In general, different flowers should be watered in the correct way according to their characteristics, so that your beloved flowers can grow vigorously. Do not fear trouble, and do not underestimate this small action of watering flowers. In fact, the detailed knowledge and learning contained in it are considerable. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please pay more attention to this site!