These varieties of clivia are so expensive that you cannot even afford a single leaf.

The 8,000-yuan clivia

The clivia in the picture below is the one bought for 8,000 yuan. It is said to be the 'Mantianxing' variety. The leaf condition looks decent, but the veins are hidden and the gloss is average. As for whether it is worth it, only the buyer knows.

Mantianxing generally has a relatively tall plant shape, with many vertical stripes, but they are scattered and messy.

Most people think this money was spent somewhat unfairly, so let me introduce to you the truly excellent clivia varieties that cost more than 8,000.

Common excellent clivia varieties

1. Hualian

Hualian leaves have patterns in alternating dark and light colors. When the leaf colors of the mother plant and father plant differ in depth, the cross produces Hualian, whose ornamental value is higher than that of single-color clivia.

2. Heshang

This clivia variety has relatively blunt pointed tips at the front of the leaves, and the leaf surface is covered with scattered net-like veins. The veins are not obvious, and the gloss and fineness are somewhat poorer, but the flowers are large and the color is very bright, giving it high ornamental value.

3. Youjiang

The biggest feature of Youjiang is its thick vein pattern. Where the horizontal and vertical veins cross on the leaf surface, a protruding raised point forms. The leaves are highly glossy, shiny and fine, dark green, with very good texture.

4. Jishi

Jishi leaves are light in color, yellow-green, with sharp leaf tips, and the leaves are shiny, as if waxed, with a high degree of fineness.

5. Dashengli

Dashengli leaves are upright like swords, with slightly raised veins and regular horizontal stripes. It blooms abundantly with large, brilliantly colored flowers.

How to tell the quality of clivia varieties?

1. Look at the leaf length-to-width ratio

For a mature clivia 9~10 cm wide, a leaf length no more than 3 times the leaf width is top grade;

For a mature clivia 6~18 cm wide, a leaf length 4~6 times the leaf width is top grade;

If the length-to-width ratio exceeds 7 times, the variety is quite ordinary.

2. Look at the leaf surface veins

Large spacing between veins with obvious raised veins is top grade;

Hidden, irregular veins with many messy drooping veins is middle grade.

3. Look at leaf gloss

Leaves that are shiny and glossy, waxy, and bright on both sides are top grade; bright and half-side bright is middle grade; grayish and dull leaves are low grade.

4. Look at leaf thickness

Thick, fleshy leaves are top grade; thin leaves with poor texture are middle-to-low grade. For large plants, a leaf thickness between 2~2.5 mm is excellent; for small plants, 1.15~1.5 is excellent.

5. Look at flower color

Deep orange-red with a milky white lining is top grade; light orange-red and light tea-red are middle grade; deep yellow, light yellow, gray-white, pink-layered, yellow-layered white, and yellow-layered red are all low grade.