The correct method and steps for propagating clivia by division
Around the root crown of a mature clivia, offsets are easily produced, commonly called "foot shoots," and these offset shoots can be used for propagation. Division is best done in early spring, in March to April, together with repotting. It is best to wait until the foot shoots have grown to 15-20 cm tall before dividing, because by then the offset shoots have already formed a complete root system, and after division they grow rapidly, generally flowering in about 2 years.
If the offset shoots are divided when they are less than 10 cm tall, the root system has not yet developed well, and after planting they grow slowly and need 3-4 years of cultivation before they flower. When dividing, determine the method of removing the shoot according to the position where the foot shoot grows (whether the pot needs to be turned out). The method is to scrape away the potting soil; if the attachment point of the daughter shoot on the mother plant can be exposed, there is no need to turn out the pot to remove the shoot. There are two ways to remove shoots: breaking off and cutting off. Whenever the growing position is suitable for breaking off the shoot by hand, do not cut it off.
Practice has shown that breaking off shoots by hand gives a higher survival rate than cutting them off with a knife; the mother plant also heals more easily, and the daughter shoot roots faster. The method: hold the mother plant's pseudobulb with one hand, pinch the base of the daughter shoot with the other hand, and gently bend it; the daughter shoot can then be broken off. When cutting off the shoot with a knife, simply cut the daughter shoot off at the junction between the daughter shoot and the mother plant. Whichever division method is used, after division the wounds of both the mother plant and the daughter shoot must be coated with charcoal powder or fine stove ash to prevent bleeding from the wounds and rot. After the wounds have dried, bury the base of the daughter shoot in fine sand and encourage rooting at a temperature of 20-25°C. Generally after 20-30 days, callus tissue forms at the wound, and before long new roots will grow; at this point, move it into a pot for cultivation.
Daughter shoots from division propagation can generally preserve the varietal characteristics of the mother plant; this is a practical and feasible technical measure for rejuvenating old plants. However, bud sport can also occur. When a bud sport is found, it should be encouraged to stabilize the variation and pass it on to the next generation, which is of great value in clivia breeding.
How to divide clivia: the operation method for propagating clivia by division
Clivia, also known as damulan, is a flowering plant that blooms in winter and spring and dislikes high temperatures. Clivia can be propagated by sowing or division. Seedling clivia grown from seed can produce 16 leaves by the 4th year and begin to flower and set seed, and by the 5th year it can be propagated by division. Today the editor will introduce the operation of division.
When the shoot sprouts, the young leaves come together in a sword shape and drill out of the soil surface. At this time the root sucker shoot has not yet grown its own root system; roots begin to form only after the young leaves unfold, so do not rush to separate it. Let it grow on the mother plant for a while longer.
Before dividing, first take the mother plant out of the flowerpot, remove the outer soil, expose the root system, find the part where the root sucker shoot connects to the mother plant, and cut them apart with a small knife. Do not damage the young roots on the root shoot.
Then replant the mother plant with fresh potting soil, and plant the root shoot in a small pot.
The division propagation method for clivia
After clivia enters its flowering period, the buds at its rhizome sprout and gradually grow into a new shoot. Separate this shoot from the mother plant and transplant it into a flowerpot, and it can grow into a new plant.The division capacity of clivia varies by variety. In practice it has been found that Clivia nobilis (drooping clivia) produces more shoots, while Clivia miniata (large-flowered clivia) produces fewer shoots. Most varieties begin to divide after four years, and a few individual plants also begin to produce shoots after two years. Plants with vigorous growth have fewer divisions, while plants with weak growth have more divisions. After entering the flowering period, division can be done every year, generally 1—10 shoots, and individual varieties can reach more than 20 shoots. But such mother plants easily lose their ornamental value.
1. Division time: generally more division is done in spring and autumn, mostly after seed collection and before flowering. When dividing, it is best for the shoot to have roots, as this has less impact on flowering and seed setting and makes survival easier. Division can also be done without roots, but rooting treatment is needed to ensure the survival rate.
2. Division method: it can be done by hand or by knife. When dividing, pinch the stem of the daughter shoot with your hand and gently twist it off the mother plant, or cut the daughter shoot off the mother plant with a knife. In practice, twisting off shoots gives a somewhat higher survival rate than cutting off shoots.
3. Management after division: after the daughter shoot is removed, coat the wound with charcoal powder or fine stove ash. This prevents water loss and wilting, and also disinfects the wound to prevent infection and rot. After the wound dries, plant the daughter shoot with roots directly into a flowerpot. If the daughter shoot has no roots, first carry out rooting treatment. The specific method is: insert the daughter shoot 2—3 cm into washed fine sand, water thoroughly, and keep it at a temperature of 20—25°C, keeping it constantly moist; after 30—50 days new roots can grow.