Clivia

The genus Clivia, which belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, includes 4 species. The most common is matt red clivia (Clivia miniata), introduced to Europe at the beginning of the XIX century. The plant has characteristic long, ribbon-shaped glossy vaginal leaves that are deflected outward. In summer, new leaves are formed (5-6 per year), and in autumn and winter, the oldest ones die off. Every spring, an erect, strong peduncle up to 50 cm long appears on the clivia, on which an inflorescence blooms-an umbrella consisting of funnel-shaped flowers of bright orange color. As a result of breeding, varieties with flowers of different colors were bred. Let's mention other less common species: Clivia nobilis (C. nobilis) blooming in May, 30-40 cm high, with drooping orangish-red flowers with greenish petal tips, and clivia cyrtanthiflora (C. x cyrtanthiflora), a hybrid of matt-red and noble clivia, 30-50 cm high, with light-dark red flowers blooming in April flowers.

The genus Clivia, which belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, includes 4 species. The most common is matt red clivia (Clivia miniata), introduced to Europe at the beginning of the XIX century. The plant has characteristic long, ribbon-shaped glossy vaginal leaves that are deflected outward. In summer, new leaves are formed (5-6 per year), and in autumn and winter, the oldest ones die off.

Every spring, an erect, strong peduncle up to 50 cm long appears on the clivia, on which an inflorescence blooms-an umbrella consisting of funnel-shaped flowers of bright orange color. As a result of breeding, varieties with flowers of different colors were bred. Let's mention other less common species: Clivia nobilis (C. nobilis) blooming in May, 30-40 cm high, with drooping orangish-red flowers with greenish petal tips, and clivia cyrtanthiflora (C. x cyrtanthiflora), a hybrid of matt-red and noble clivia, 30-50 cm high, with light-dark red flowers blooming in April flowers.

Cultivation

Clivia matt-red is usually grown in a pot in room conditions. In the spring and summer months, the plant can be taken out into the open air, but at the end of September it must be returned to the house. In mild climates, where the air temperature does not fall below 10 °C, clivia can even be kept outdoors, but only in a place protected from the wind. However, during the active growing season, the clivia is kept warm. In order for the plant to bloom well later, it takes approximately 1.5 months of relative dormancy, during which time it is placed in a cool place and watered very little. In the bud formation phase, the plant is kept in the dark for about 10 days, and then rearranged to the light. Immediately after flowering, the peduncle is cut off to prevent the formation of seeds, otherwise there will be no flowering next year. Periodically, it is useful to add a liquid complex fertilizer to the water for irrigation.

Clivia matt-red is usually grown in a pot in room conditions. In the spring and summer months, the plant can be taken out into the open air, but at the end of September it must be returned to the house. In mild climates, where the air temperature does not fall below 10 °C, clivia can even be kept outdoors, but only in a place protected from the wind. However, during the active growing season, the clivia is kept warm. In order for the plant to bloom well later, it takes approximately 1.5 months of relative dormancy, during which time it is placed in a cool place and watered very little.

In the bud formation phase, the plant is kept in the dark for about 10 days, and then rearranged to the light.

Immediately after flowering, the peduncle is cut off to prevent the formation of seeds, otherwise there will be no flowering next year. Periodically, it is useful to add a liquid complex fertilizer to the water for irrigation.

Location

This plant is not demanding for lighting conditions. Therefore, it can be kept both in a well-lit place in the room, and in partial shade on the balcony.

Temperature

In winter, during the period of relative dormancy, the air temperature should be maintained at 10 °C, but after the appearance of the peduncle, the plant is transferred to a room with a higher temperature, 14-16 °C. In summer, it should not exceed 24 °C.

Watering

In summer, the clivia is watered moderately, and from autumn to spring-only when the soil clod dries up. The plant prefers high humidity, so it is useful to spray the leaves with water from time to time. It is recommended to put the pot on a pallet filled with constantly wet pebbles or expanded clay.

Transplant

Young plants are transplanted into a new container in early spring, and adult specimens are transplanted once every 3-4 years, at the end of the flowering period, each time using a pot of slightly larger diameter than the previous one. If the root system is tightly filled in the pot, the plant begins to suffer. It is useful to change the surface layer of the soil annually.

Care

It mainly consists in removing dry leaves and wilted flowers. If you want to prevent the formation of seeds, cut the peduncle at a height of 10-15 cm from its base. Avoid using a lustrating solution. To clean the leaves (in most varieties they are glossy), just wipe them with a damp cloth.

Reproduction

To get new plants, you need to let the seeds form, preserving the peduncle. But plants from seedlings do not retain all the features of the original variety. In addition to sowing seeds, clivia can be propagated by dividing the rhizome with new shoots (be careful not to damage them when separating), and old specimens can be propagated by dividing the bush.

Diseases

When caring for clivia, there are no special problems. Sometimes the plant is affected by worms, especially mealybugs, which start on the underside of the leaf. You can get rid of these pests by wiping the leaves with a cloth or cotton swab soaked in alcohol, or by treating them with one of the anti-coccidal drugs, preferably oil-based. It is necessary to monitor watering, - if the soil is waterlogged, the roots may rot and spots may appear on the leaves.

Acquisition

The best time to buy this plant is from January to March, before flowering. Clivia species are easily found in gardening centers and flower shops.