How to water clivia? Master the right method to grow it well
Watering flowers is actually a skilled task, so don't underestimate it. Most flower lovers water their beloved flowers casually without considering whether their watering method is correct or whether watering this way can be effective. Today, for clivia, the editor will introduce how to water clivia and the methods for watering clivia!
I. What kind of water is best for clivia
There are many types of water. The water we usually use to water flowers must be selected according to the characteristics of the corresponding flower, using suitable water for irrigation.
1. Hard water
Hard water refers to water containing more saline components. 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, worsen permeability, cause brown spots on the leaves of the clivia plant, affect the ornamental effect, or produce poisoning 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 (clivia's suitable pH value 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, extend the cultivation period, and improve 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 may be needed, and the clivia will still grow robustly, with bright leaf color and large, vividly colored flowers. Although river water can also be used for watering, river water has a broader source and 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 chemical agents, it is still highly safe and reliable for clivia. If it can be left open for a few days to let the chlorine in the water volatilize before use, the effect will be even better.
5. Groundwater
For example, water in wells or underground mineral water both belong to groundwater. It is generally high in hardness, high in mineralization, contains various impurities, and sometimes also contains more chlorine, so it is not suitable for direct use in watering clivia. But if it is stored in advance and exposed to the sun so that minerals precipitate 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 is close to the soil temperature, and about 20°C in spring and autumn rainy seasons is more 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
Various kinds of water we have used in daily life, such as dishwashing water, foot-washing water, rice-rinsing 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 benefits. Especially for flowers planted on balconies, the water used for irrigation should preferably be clean. It is best not to use wastewater for irrigation. Even if it is not bad for clivia, people cannot stand that smell, right? In particular, dishwashing water containing soap, laundry detergent, and oil stains must not be used, as these waters have toxic and harmful effects.
II. How to water clivia
Flowers like clivia very much like a moist soil environment, so we must maintain soil moisture. But if too much water is given, the air in the soil will all be squeezed out by the water, the roots of clivia cannot breathe, and oxygen deprivation over a long period will lead to root rot. If too little water is given, the potting soil will be too dry, directly affecting the plant's metabolic activities. If the water shortage exceeds a certain limit, the plant will wither and die. So having said this, too much watering is no good, and too little watering is even worse. What should be done then? Please keep reading!
1. Combine thorough and not thorough watering
Do not water thoroughly every time, and do not always fail to water thoroughly. When only the surface layer lacks water, supplement only the surface layer 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——half-dry and half-wet——wet state (note that when dry, the soil water content must not be lower than 30%). This is conducive 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 not only helps improve water quality, but is 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 greenhouses and cellars. If large amounts of water are used for irrigation, often because the water volume is too large and too rapid, it either cannot be watered evenly or cannot be watered thoroughly. The applicable method is: when the plant does not need thorough watering, use a spray bottle with pressure to spray and moisten 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 onto every part of the potting soil, thereby achieving the best watering effect.
5. Combine top and bottom watering
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 drainage hole at 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 the water flowing out of the basin. Families planting a relatively small number of clivia can use this method.
III. 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 note? In fact, there are still some other factors we need to pay attention to. Let's take a look together!
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 reducing the root system's water absorption capacity, causing the water in the plant needed for leaf cooling to be unable to be supplied normally, making the plant suffer "physiological drought", and in severe cases, wilting may occur. 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 it is below 10°C, water less.
2. Water temperature and soil temperature should be similar
The difference between water temperature and soil temperature must not be too large. Especially in winter, in order to avoid the plant "catching a cold" due to too great a temperature difference, tap water or well water must never be used directly to water flowers. Cold water can first be stored indoors for 1-2 days. On the one hand, this allows harmful substances in the water to precipitate or evaporate; on the other hand, it also leaves enough time for the cold water to warm up.
3. Handle water quality properly
In cities, 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 "aging 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
Whether to water clivia and how much to water 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.
The above is an introduction to how to water clivia and the watering methods. In general, different flowers should be watered in the correct way according to their characteristics, so that your beloved flowers can grow robustly. Do not fear trouble, and do not underestimate the small action of watering flowers. In fact, the detailed knowledge and learning contained in it are many. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please pay more attention to this site!