Mainly Amaryllids Garden
PO
Box 173, Barnawartha, 3688, Victoria. Phone/Fax:
02-60267377.
Email: plants_man@bigpond.com
The genus Clivia and it's cultivation
The
Genus Clivia comes from South Africa. They grow naturally in the forests and bush lands
of the subtropical regions from the Eastern Cape to the Transvaal.
There are 4 species in this genus, Clivia miniata being the most variable and
commonly grown. The other 3 species, C. gardenii, C. caulescens and C. nobilis
are only recently becoming more known and widespread. Many Clivia
growers/breeders are using the species to create interspecific (the crossing or
breeding of two of the same species), hybrids. This is resulting in many varied
shapes and colours in Clivia.
Growing
Clivia here in our garden has been an adventure to say the least. I have had
many failures in trying to find the right medium. I have tried many types of
medium, buying ready-to-use at my local nursery and using straight from the bag,
and making mediums from scratch with individual parts, (1 part sand, 1 part
compost, 1 part perlite, 4 parts pine chips), going to make up the medium.
The
best result thus far is a product called Debco Complete Orchid Growing Medium 5-10mm.
I can pot anything from seeds to a 10-year-old bulb up into this medium with
great results. After opening the back I spray the hose and wet the medium, leave
for 1/2 a day and
then I use this straight from the bag. It always help to add a liquid fertilizer
to the pine chips too! In warmer areas, this medium is known to
dry out. To slow the drying of the medium, add a
small % of peat moss on top of the pot and wash in. This will create pockets of
moisture to help sustain the Clivia until the next watering.
Clivia
love food during the growing season. In the wild, Clivia grow where there is
plenty of rotting vegetation and food is on hand, when it rains, at all times.
With this in mind, I have been placing a small handful of cow manure on top of
each pot in a little heap. This usually covers a 1/5th of the surface area of
the top. I keep watering as usual until the food disappears. I will then place
more on the top of the pot. This process that I have adopted and certainly
helped my Clivia along.
Clivia
are frost sensitive. They will do well in a fernery , plants well in under trees
or under the back veranda, provided the frost does not reach them. In our region
Clivia grow well and a double layer of 75% green shade cloth. Our summer sun and
heat can crispy-fry most shade loving plants. You decide some thing about Clivia,
the more Clivia plants you get, the better conditions you want to provide. Why?
Because they get into your heart and you begin to love them. That is when the
Clivia addiction starts!
I
hope these brief notes help.
Clivia
make great friendships!
Happy
Clivia growing,
Dash.
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