How to tell what fertilizer a clivia is lacking? Here's how to diagnose and fix it

If you want to grow clivia well, fertilizing is essential, because clivia needs a variety of nutrients to support its growth and development. Once the potting soil lacks a certain nutrient, it will show up on the clivia plant. Therefore, you can make a nutritional diagnosis based on the (leaf) growth of the clivia to determine which type of fertilizer to apply.

1. Nitrogen deficiency

The whole clivia plant grows poorly, with weak leaves and pale yellow color, lower leaves turning yellow, growth stopping and then drying up and turning brown, which is often related to nitrogen deficiency;

2. Phosphorus deficiency

Flowers that are not brightly colored, delayed blooming, purple-brown leaf sheaths, dark green leaves, small fruits and few seeds are often related to phosphorus deficiency.

3. Potassium deficiency

Fleshy roots that are underdeveloped, a small and weak plant, yellow leaves with necrotic spots, and small flowers that do not set seed are related to potassium deficiency;

4. Iron deficiency

New leaves that are yellow-white and chlorosis are often related to iron deficiency; curled and yellowing leaves with veins still green, and small flowers are related to iron and magnesium deficiency, and so on.

Therefore, it is very necessary to adjust the type of fertilizer according to the growth condition of the clivia. Cake fertilizer water and urea contain more nitrogen and can promote lush roots and leaves. Rice bran, bone meal, fishy water, feather water, etc. contain more phosphorus and help the development of flowers, fruits and seeds. Plant ash and potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer contain more potassium and can turn yellow leaves green, make roots strong, and enhance cold and drought resistance. For chlorosis, alum fertilizer water (0.5% ferrous sulfate) can be applied.