The Occurrence and Prevention of Clivia "Arrow Pinching" and Edible Mushroom Cultivation Techniques

When a Clivia sends up its flower stalk but the stalk cannot emerge and blooms while trapped inside the rosette, this phenomenon is called "arrow pinching." The main causes of arrow pinching are as follows:

1. Unsuitable temperature: The optimal temperature for Clivia growth is 15-25°C. If it is below 15°C, it is very difficult for the flower stalk to emerge; if the temperature is above 25°C, it is also unfavorable for the stalk to emerge.

2. Insufficient temperature difference: Clivia likes a certain temperature difference between day and night. If the day-night temperature difference is less than 7°C, it is very difficult for the stalk to shoot up.

3. Unreasonable nutrition: During the flowering period, Clivia needs relatively more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. If too much nitrogen fertilizer is applied at this time while phosphorus, potassium and trace elements are lacking, it will affect stalk emergence and flowering.

4. Insufficient water: Water enables the Clivia plant to maintain its normal posture. Only when the cells and tissues in the plant contain sufficient water can normal physiological activities proceed. During the stalk emergence stage, Clivia needs more water. If the water supply is insufficient at this time, arrow pinching can also occur.

5. Excessive pressure: Because the pressure from the leaf sheaths and pseudobulb is too great, the flower stalk is pinched inside and cannot emerge, thus causing Clivia arrow pinching.

Based on the above causes, the following corresponding prevention and control measures can be taken.

1. Adjust the temperature: If Clivia arrow pinching is caused by low temperature, the flower pot can be placed on a radiator or on a heated brick bed (with a thin wooden board placed under the bottom of the pot), so that the temperature does not exceed 25°C; when the temperature is above 25°C, cool it down in time. The flower pot can be placed 1 meter in front of an electric fan to blow air and cool it down.

2. Maintain the temperature difference: If the pseudobulb of the Clivia bulges and the newly grown leaves show "arrow tracks" (referring to the marks left on newly grown leaves by the squeezing of the flower stalk after flower bud differentiation begins and the stalk starts to emerge), this is a sign that the stalk is about to shoot up. At this time, attention should be paid to regulating the temperature so that the daytime temperature reaches 25°C and the nighttime temperature is controlled at 15°C, thus maintaining a day-night temperature difference of 10°C, which makes stalk emergence easier.

3. Reasonable fertilization: When autumn arrives, Clivia enters the reproductive growth period, and its fertilizer requirement increases. At this time, attention should be paid to reasonable fertilization. Generally, after Clivia has been grown for 3 years, the number of fertilizer applications must be increased in autumn. It is best to use a liquid fertilizer with relatively high phosphorus content. When the stalk is found to be emerging, 0.3% monopotassium phosphate can be sprayed on the leaves to promote flower bud differentiation and formation and rapid stalk emergence.

4. Moderate watering: During the stalk emergence stage, more water is needed, so attention should be paid to increasing the amount of watering, watering once every 3-5 days. It is best if the water temperature is slightly higher than the soil temperature. The amount of water should not be too much; if too much water is applied, it will lower the temperature inside the pot.

5. Reduce pressure: A sterilized blade can be used to cut open the leaf sheath pinching the stalk by 1.5 cm, relaxing the pressure of the leaf sheath base on the stalk and promoting the emergence of the stalk. (Source: "Fruits, Vegetables and Melons")