How to care for clivia after summer arrives

Clivia prefers cool conditions and goes dormant when summer temperatures reach 35°C. Clivia is a neutral-light plant. Its fleshy roots can store water, so too much water will definitely cause root rot. Therefore, the most important aspects in summer are light and watering during the dormant period, and strong ventilation during hot, humid weather.

For clivia with fleshy roots, water requirements are not high during the dormant period; what it needs is moisture from a high-humidity air environment to moisten the leaves. When watering, do not water until the soil has dried out, and when watering, water thoroughly. Avoid keeping the potting soil wet for long periods without ventilation, which causes yellow leaves, root rot, and anthracnose. For getting through summer, the potting soil is best kept moist (moist top and bottom but not waterlogged), and ideally the potting soil does not stick to the hand.

Clivia is a neutral-light plant and is most afraid of direct blazing sun. Soft light in spring and autumn is best. Under strong sunlight in summer, leaf sunscald is most likely to occur. To get through summer, it should be placed in a ventilated, cool spot with diffused light.

In summer's high temperatures and humid heat, water in the soil evaporates quickly, so ventilation and cool shade must be in place. At the same time, you can artificially increase the humidity in the small air environment around the clivia. For example, place bricks in a water basin with the water not rising above the bricks, so the bottom of the pot absorbs the moist vapor from the wet bricks in the basin, ensuring the roots have moisture and do not lack water.

During summer dormancy, root absorption is weak, so avoid concentrated fertilizer. It is best to wait until autumn brings cooler, lower temperatures and growth resumes before fertilizing.

Fertilizing clivia: stop fertilizing above 25°C; below 25°C, apply a light, diluted fertilizer to promote physiological growth and early recovery, breaking dormancy. The prerequisite for fertilizing must be ventilated, cool conditions with suitable temperature. At around 20°C, with air humidity meeting the standard, normal fertilizing can be done.