Don't miss the chance - now is a great time to plant clivia

Clivia

 Rigel

Cao Xuanbin 

00:00/05:19

At the turn of spring into summer, clivia is in its period of vigorous growth. As you admire the gorgeous clivia in other people's homes blooming beautifully every year, if your hands are itching to try, hurry up and see how to grow a good pot of clivia!

Hardening off and adapting

First comes the hardening off and adaptation during the spring-to-summer seasonal change. Based on the characteristics of temperature changes in spring and summer, clivia should gradually adapt to the rising temperatures and be protected from wind so it does not catch a "cold." Clivia that has overwintered indoors, due to insufficient nutrient supply, will show dehydration of the leaves once exposed to wind and sun, causing their gloss to fade and their firmness and thickness to decrease; in severe cases, yellowed leaves and rotted hearts may even occur. For clivia that has overwintered indoors in colder regions, it should be moved from indoors to outdoors for hardening off, to receive outdoor sunlight and fresh air. Generally, on a windless, clear and warm day at noon, when the temperature reaches 15°C, move it outdoors to come into contact with sunlight and fresh air, and gradually extend the time it is kept outdoors until it adapts to the outdoor environment and climate, so as to restore the vigorous growth of the clivia and make the plant short and sturdy.

Water and fertilizer control

Before summer arrives, as the weather warms up, clivia's growth rate accelerates and its demand for water and fertilizer greatly increases. The amount of watering should gradually become more than in winter, but do not increase it abruptly, to prevent excessive watering from causing root suffocation, which can lead to root rot, yellow leaves, and even death of the whole plant. Before it shoots its flower stalk, we can apply fertilizer. The fertilizer requirement is for more phosphorus and potassium, and we can also apply decomposed bone meal; fertilizers containing more nitrogen can be applied a little less, which can effectively prevent the flower stalk from being trapped. You can increase the application of nutrient-rich organic fertilizer liquids such as decomposed, well-fermented soybean cake water, or special clivia fertilizer, applying thin fertilizer frequently, and absolutely avoid excessive concentration or applying undecomposed organic fertilizer, so as not to cause leaf scorch or root rot.

Raising the temperature before the flowering period

When it enters the flowering period, we should observe carefully. Once we find signs of it shooting its flower stalk, we should raise the temperature of the flower pot. You can place the flower pot on relatively hot bricks, then place a lamp under the flower pot, so that the temperature of the pot and soil will rise. Moreover, the indoor temperature should be kept at around 20°C, and the nighttime temperature should be controlled at 10°C.

Repotting and changing the soil

Repotting and changing the soil in spring will not affect the growth of the clivia plant, making it the most suitable time. Repotting and changing the soil for clivia is one of the important measures to accelerate its growth. Whether it is a small seedling or a mature plant, it must be repotted and have its soil changed. Timely repotting is beneficial to clivia's growth, and a pot of appropriate size should be used. To grow clivia well, you also need good soil. Mature clivia that is currently blooming should be repotted after the flowers fade. According to the size of the clivia plant, choose a suitable flower pot for repotting and changing the soil; mature plants can be repotted and have their soil changed at the same time.

If we find that the soil has become compacted or that there are earthworms in it, we should pay attention, because compaction will affect the soil's air permeability and prevent the plant from absorbing nutrients. If both conditions exist at the same time, it will also cause cavities in the soil, and the plant's roots will not come into contact with the soil, so water and fertilizer will be lacking, and the plant will naturally have its flower stalk trapped. Therefore, the plant should be repotted, or the soil should be loosened and watering increased. If the water used for watering is relatively cold, some hot water can also be added. The best water temperature is 25°C.

Lowering the temperature during the flowering period

As the temperature gradually warms from spring into summer, if the temperature is too high, the flowering period of blooming clivia will be shortened. If the indoor temperature is controlled at around 15°C, the flowering period can be extended by more than a month, improving the ornamental effect. Newly potted small seedlings should have watering controlled, carrying out seedling hardening, with the aim of making clivia leaves develop in the direction of width, to prevent clivia from growing leggy.

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