How to plant Clivia seeds? Detailed sowing method shared
Clivia is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant, also known as sword-leaf lycoris, large-leaf lycoris, etc. It has a dignified and graceful plant shape, verdant and upright leaves, large and brightly colored flowers, and bright red fruits. Its leaves, flowers, and fruits are all beautiful, earning it the reputation of flowers in one season, fruits in three seasons, and leaves in all four seasons. Its flowering period lasts as long as forty to fifty days, and it can bloom in early spring. Let's take a look below at how to plant Clivia seeds!
Seed collection
Clivia requires artificial pollination to produce fruit. When the perianth cracks open and the flower bud matures 2 to 3 days later with sticky secretion on the stigma, that is the time for pollination. When pollinating, use a new brush to dip the pollen from the stamens and gently shake it onto the stigma of the pistil. To increase the seed-setting rate, pollination can be done once between 9 and 10 a.m. and once between 2 and 3 p.m. The seeds can mature after about 8 to 9 months. When the fruit skin gradually changes from green to dark purple, the fruit cluster can be cut off, and after 10 to 20 days the seeds can be peeled out.
Sowing substrate
The sowing substrate for Clivia can be wood shavings, wood bran or fine sand, and some also use leaf mold, but wood shavings or wood bran are best. Then find a plastic basket, or a breathable fired clay pot can also be used. Taking wood shavings as the substrate soil as an example, first disinfect it, then soak the disinfected wood shavings thoroughly with water, put them in the basket, press down a bit, and level them.
Seed soaking and germination
Before sowing Clivia, the seeds should be soaked. The seeds can be placed in warm water at 30 to 35°C, soaked for 20 to 30 minutes, then taken out and air-dried for 1 to 2 hours (at this time, if they can be soaked in 10% sodium phosphate solution for 20 to 30 minutes, taken out and washed, and then soaked in clean water for 10 to 15 hours, that would be even better), and then they can be sown into the culture soil.
Sowing method
When sowing Clivia seeds, place them one by one with the small eye facing down, spaced apart, and arranged in order. After arranging them, cover the seeds with 2 to 3 cm of wood shavings, and gently press flat and neat. After the above steps are completed, spray with water until thoroughly wet, and place the basket in a breathable and ventilated place to finish. Breeding should follow the principles of ventilation, breathability, and maintaining moisture.
Seedling management
1. Moisture retention: Clivia seedling cultivation should pay attention to moisture retention. Normally, it is sufficient to see that the wood shavings are moist. There is no need to water every day. Too much water will cause the seeds to have too much moisture and rot. If it is too dry, water again, but then there is no moisture, and if the seeds are too dry they cannot sprout.
2. Heat retention: The seedling cultivation temperature for Clivia is generally between 15 and 30 degrees. Do not place the seeds in a place above 10 degrees. It is best to keep it above 10 degrees and below 32 degrees. In places that are too cold, a lamp can be used for heat retention.
3. Water quality: When watering Clivia seedlings, water quality must be strictly controlled. Tap water needs to be left to stand for a day before watering. Do not use tap water directly, because tap water contains chlorine, which affects seed germination.
4. Germination: If Clivia seeds are cared for well, they generally germinate in half a month, and some even earlier. After germination, it is best not to turn them over and look at them all day, because after germination the sprouts will hold the wood shavings together into a ball to facilitate growth.
5. Seedling cultivation: About forty-five days after sowing Clivia, the germinated seeds become longer and longer, the roots grow downward, and tender green small leaves emerge beside the seeds and naturally grow upward. Usually, just take good care and water properly.