Clivia Care Methods and Precautions, Why It Doesn't Bloom, and Whether It Can Be Given as a Gift
Clivia, also known as sword-leaf stone garlic and large-leaf stone garlic, is a common household flowering plant. Its broad, opposite leaves can absorb dust and pollutants from the air, making it very popular. So, do you know the care methods and precautions for Clivia? Why doesn't it bloom? Can it be given as a gift?
Clivia Care Methods
Soil for Clivia
Soil is one of the most important elements for a plant's survival. Clivia prefers soil rich in humus, very fertile, with good aeration and water permeability, suitable for the breathing of Clivia's roots.
In addition, mixing some fine sand and gravel into the already prepared soil is beneficial for Clivia's root development. However, the sand and gravel should not be too much; about 50% is sufficient.
Light for Clivia
Suitable Light
The growth of any plant cannot do without sunlight, and Clivia is no exception. However, Clivia is a medium-day plant. Although it cannot lack sunlight on ordinary days, too little sunlight is also not good.
The most suitable light condition for Clivia is half shade and half sun. Build a shade shelter for Clivia, preferably with porous shading material, which can both block sunlight and provide Clivia with sunlight exposure. Additionally, if there are tree shades or grape trellises, placing Clivia under the tree shade or grape trellis is even more perfect.
Light Control in Summer and Winter
Light in summer requires particular attention. Placing Clivia in the sun for 3 to 5 hours is sufficient. Also pay attention to shading.
In winter, the slanting sunlight is the most suitable light for Clivia. When the daytime temperature reaches above 12°C, windows can be opened to let Clivia receive sunlight. However, one point to note: at noon, prevent direct sunlight; it is best to set up a top curtain for shade, especially when the sun is setting in the west, pay attention to shading on the south side.
Temperature for Clivia
Suitable Growing Temperature
Another important condition plants need is temperature. Clivia prefers a semi-shaded, cool environment, with 15-25°C being the most suitable temperature.
Temperature Control in Summer and Winter
In summer, especially when temperatures are high, attention should be paid to avoiding heat. Building a shade shelter or placing it under tree shade will work; otherwise, the leaves will become narrow and long, affecting the ornamental value.
Clivia begins to go dormant and stop growing below 5°C. Therefore, the suitable growing temperature in winter is 15-20°C, and it is best not to go below 10°C. After the flower scape emerges, the temperature should be maintained at around 18°C, with a day-night temperature difference of about 10°C; otherwise, the flower scape will bloom before reaching the proper height, easily forming “clamped scape”.
Water for Clivia
Watering Cycle
Water is also an indispensable part of plant growth. Clivia has well-developed fleshy roots that can store relatively more water and have a certain drought tolerance. Therefore, Clivia should not be watered too frequently; water again when the soil surface appears dry.
Based on general experience, water once every 3-5 days in winter, once every 1-2 days in spring and autumn, and appropriately increase watering frequency in summer. Another point to note is that Clivia needs less water during the seedling stage and more water during the flowering stage; do not get this mixed up.
Watering Precautions
The timing of watering should be accurate. It is best to water before sunrise or after sunset, especially after sunset, and pay even more attention to this in hot summer.
In hot, sunny summer weather, spray Clivia with water 2-3 times a day to ensure it safely gets through the summer. In winter, watering should be done when room temperature is above 10°C. When below 10°C, water less.
How to Water Before Going Out
For small pots of Clivia, bury them in wet sand in a larger pot so that moisture in the sand continuously seeps through the pot wall into the small pot to supplement water needs.
For larger Clivia plants with higher water needs and larger flower pots, place the large flower pot in a large shallow water tray so that water can be continuously provided through the soil.
Fertilizer for Clivia
Clivia likes fertilizer, but too much fertilizer will also cause problems for Clivia. The fertilizing principle is “light fertilizer applied frequently”. There are mainly three types of fertilizer: dry fertilizer, water fertilizer and solid fertilizer.
Fertilizer Application Cycle
The correct way to fertilize Clivia is to apply fermented solid fertilizer once a month in spring and autumn, and liquid fertilizer once a week, mainly nitrogen-based. 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.
Choice of Fertilizer to Apply
The fertilizer applied can be fully fermented thin cake fertilizer water, or crushed roasted castor seeds, sesame and other oilseed seeds buried in the potting soil as fertilizer. Eggshell powder and decomposed fishy water are good phosphorus fertilizers, while bran ash and tobacco ash are easily obtained potassium fertilizers. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer can also be applied to promote the sprouting of more new leaves. Never apply concentrated fertilizer or raw fertilizer that has not been fermented and decomposed.
In addition, we should pay attention to the seasonal fertilizer materials used: in winter and spring, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer; in autumn, apply more nitrogen fertilizer.
In summer, foliar feeding is commonly used, spraying leaves with 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate or superphosphate, etc. However, since Clivia often enters dormancy in summer, fertilization should still be done with caution. Additionally, foliar feeding can be done all year round.
Fertilizing Methods
When applying solid fertilizer, loosen the potting soil and bury it 2 cm deep into the soil, not directly touching the root system to avoid burning.
When applying liquid fertilizer, for small seedlings a fertilizer-to-water ratio of 1:40 is better, and for large and medium seedlings 1:20 is better. The best time to fertilize is in the early morning. Avoid splashing onto the leaves. After applying liquid fertilizer, water once promptly, but the water need not be too much. On one hand, it dissolves the fertilizer; on the other hand, it rinses the newly grown fleshy roots to prevent damage to new roots.
Precautions for Clivia Care
Key Maintenance Points for Clivia in Summer and Winter
Summer Maintenance Points
In summer, be sure to prune excess flower scapes. Clivia's normal flowering period is from New Year's Day to the Spring Festival. Flower scapes that emerge in summer cannot produce good flowers. If not pruned in time, they will consume nutrients and affect normal growth and flowering in winter and spring.
Summer watering should follow the principle of not watering until completely dry, and watering thoroughly when you do. The best water for watering is stored rainwater; tap water can be used after settling for 24 hours. If there are continuous showers, promptly tilt the pot to drain water or move it indoors. If the potting soil drains poorly and water accumulates for a long time, its fleshy roots are prone to rot.
Winter Maintenance Points
When watering in winter, be sure to avoid directly using tap water or well water to water the flowers, because too large a temperature difference will cause the plant to “catch a cold”.
We can first store cold water indoors for 1-2 days, allowing harmful substances in the water to settle or evaporate, and also leaving enough time for the cold water to warm up.
Timing and Care for Repotting and Soil Changing of Clivia
Suitable Time for Repotting and Soil Changing
The repotting time for Clivia is generally between Qingming and Guyu, or between Qiufen and Hanlu.
Plants that bloom in spring and autumn can be repotted after flowering.
Moving from a small pot to a large pot can be done in any season, but it must be done with a complete root ball without damaging the roots; otherwise, the plant will be damaged and growth and development will be affected.
From seedling to mature plant, Clivia needs repotting and soil changing every year, moving from small pots to larger pots to promote growth and development. Young plants need it 1-2 times a year, and mature plants once a year.
Precautions for Repotting and Soil Changing
1-2 days before repotting, watering should be appropriately withheld so that the potting soil shrinks somewhat and separates easily from the pot wall.
A large plant in a small pot will have insufficient nutrition and restricted roots, affecting normal development; a small plant in a large pot will have low soil temperature, slow water evaporation and poor permeability, affecting growth and making root rot easy. Therefore, when repotting, choose a suitable flower pot according to the size of the plant. Never use a large pot just for convenience.
If during repotting the roots are accidentally broken, or wounds are caused to old roots when taking offshoots or removing rotten roots, we should promptly apply plant ash or sulfur powder, and pot them only after the wounds dry. For plants with more wounds, water again 2-3 days after potting to prevent bacterial infection.
Clivia is one of the more common plants in life. With its dignified and elegant appearance, gentle and courteous yet refined, many people like to grow it. So when does Clivia bloom? What does it symbolize? Can it be given as a gift?