Cultivation and care of clivia at home, methods of breeding and description of species
A representative of the South African flora called clivia is quite often grown by flower growers on the windowsills of apartments. Growing clivia at home shouldn't seem like a big deal if you take good care of your plant. The decorative appearance of the green leaves and the stunning beauty of the blooms make this tropical crop a favorite in indoor floriculture.
Description and peculiarities of the plant
In the natural environment, clivia can be found along the entire west coast of South Africa. The kaffir lily, as this evergreen perennial representative of the Amaryllis family is also called, is represented in it by only three species. But in indoor conditions, thanks to the efforts of breeders, flower growers received a richer choice. The bell-shaped flowers that cover the crop during the flowering period are not the only asset of the plant. During the dormant period, dark green succulent leaves look no less decorative.
Main varieties
The main representatives, most often found on the windowsills of domestic florists, include the following varieties.
Orange, or cinnabar (red lead)
Dense, dark green, belt-shaped leaves reach a length of 70 cm at home. During the flowering period, orange, or as it is also called cinnabar clivia, becomes covered with red-orange flowers with a nucleus YELLOW. They are collected in a luxurious lush umbrella. You can have up to 20 buds. The flowering period falls on spring. Orange clivia is the basis for other locally grown ornamental varieties.
It is she who is most often found on the windowsills of domestic florists.
Lemon clivia, or citrine
Flower obtained by breeders from cinnabar clivia. Its only difference from the parent is that it has delicate light yellow flowers, hence its name.
Beautiful
The large glossy green leaves grow in length from 40 to 80 cm, they seem to be embedded in each other at the base of the flower and attractively arching. Strong and high peduncles, emerging from the middle of the flower, reach 30 cm. At their tops are shiny tubular flowers of a drooping appearance. Their length varies from 2 to 4 cm. The color of the petals of the beautiful clivia is yellow, pink or orange. Each peduncle has 40-60 buds. The disadvantages and distinctive features of excellent clivia include a very slow growth rate.
Gardena
This kaffir lily takes its name from the surname of Major Robert Garden. It was he who discovered and described this variety in 1856 in the province of Natal. Unlike other species of clivia, this plant has a lighter green leaf color. Although this culture is shade-tolerant, today it is rarely used by flower growers for indoor cultivation.
Amazing
One of the newest types of kaffir lily, discovered in 2002. It was found in northwestern South Africa. Indicators of hardiness and drought resistance of this clivia favorably distinguish it from other varieties. The foliage has a white band in the center and a brown color at the very base. Endowed with a powerful root system.
Due to its hardiness, it is popular for outdoor cultivation.
Conditions of detention
The tropical plant is undemanding to the storage conditions, however, the growth process of the kaffir lily still has its own characteristics. The decorative appearance of the culture and its health depend on their observance.
Lighting
To keep a flower at home, window sills on the north, east or west side will be an ideal placement. Thus, the clivia will receive the diffused, bright light it needs for full vegetation.
air humidity
The kaffir lily has no special requirements for this indicator. It grows well at both low and high rates. However, it is recommended to wipe the leaves of the culture from dust and dirt.
Temperature
During the growing season, the flower is provided with temperature indicators ranging from 20 to 25 degrees. For the rest period, these values are reduced to 12-15.
Soil and capacity
For planting clivia, a pot that is not much larger than the root system of the plant is suitable. It feels good in tight containers. For cultivation, they buy soil in a garden store or prepare it themselves at home.
To do this, you must mix:
- 1 part river sand;
- 2 parts of grass;
- 2 plots of wooded land.
Before planting, it is recommended to disinfect the soil by spilling it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
top dresser
They begin to feed the tropical plant when the first buds form on it. Do this twice a month using purchased low nitrogen formulations. The fertilization process is completely stopped at the end of summer.
Dormant period
The dormant period is very important for the culture, the future flowering depends on its usefulness. As a rule, this period falls on October-November. In addition, it is important to take into account that the older the clivia, the longer the rest period it needs.
Bloom
As a rule, the first buds appear on the clivia at the end of February. In general, the period of decorating a flower is 3-4 weeks. If the florist also wants to get the fruits of this tropical culture, artificial pollination is carried out. However, it is taken into account that the formation of fruits drains the plant quite strongly. Therefore, if there is no special need, the fruits are cut unripe. If it is planned to collect seeds of clivia, they wait until they are fully ripe.
Seasonal Care Features
Each season has its own neckline care features. They differ somewhat from each other.
Spring
Spring is a period of active flowering of a tropical plant. At this time, it enjoys a sufficient amount of diffused sunlight, regular watering and fertilizing.
Summer
At this time, they continue to regularly feed and fertilize the flower. It will be useful for the plant to wipe the foliage with a damp sponge.They also take out the clivia on the balcony or the garden.
Autumn
Since September, they gradually stop moistening the soil in the pot and exclude the introduction of dressings. The temperature begins to drop.
Winter
From late autumn to late winter, the plant enters a period of dormancy. It is important to organize the temperature regime in the range of 12-14 degrees. There is no need to water and feed the clivia at this time.
How to plant and transplant a flower
Transplanting a tropical plant is necessary only when the roots begin to grow out of the old pot. As a rule, clivia does not need frequent transplants. This is done every 3-4 years. To do this, take a slightly larger pot and fill it with nutritious soil. It is necessary to transplant the culture by the method of transshipment with the remains of the old earthen coma. Sprinkle with new potting soil, tamp down and water a little.
the reproduction
Several methods are used to breed clivia at home. Each grower chooses an option based on their experience and preferences.
Reproduction is performed:
- Side shots. Small shoots that form on the sides of the parent plant are used. They should have 3-4 leaves when transplanted. Put them in small pots 7 to 8 cm in diameter. Young shoots are not watered for the first 2 days. After that, they regularly, but not abundantly, moisten the soil.
- Seeds. The easiest way to get seeds is from a garden store. It is therefore more likely that they will go up. If artificial pollination was carried out at home, and the fruits are finally ripe, then they themselves collect planting material. Soak it for a day in lukewarm water.After that, the seeds are sown in a separate container, deepening them no more than 1 cm. Cover with glass to create a greenhouse effect, ventilate and periodically moisten the soil. When the clivia has 1 strong leaf each, the seedlings dive into separate containers and provide standard plant care.
- By dividing the bush. It is advisable to use this method when transplanting plants. The root system is divided into several parts, the places of the cuts are treated with a root formation stimulant or sprinkled with crushed charcoal. After sitting in separate containers, do not water for the first three days. It should be remembered that the flowering of clivia propagated in this way will begin only after 2-3 years.
Solve common problems
When growing a tropical beauty, problems sometimes arise for novice florists. They are associated with care errors, parasites and diseases.
Care errors
The consequence of care errors is lack of flowering, slow growth, root rot.
The roots are rotting
They rot the roots of the plant with excessive watering and lack of drainage. They return the moisture regime to normal, transplant it into new soil, providing drainage.
Falling flowers
The cause of falling buds is the frequent movement of the flower in the apartment, drafts, the lack of a full period of rest and lighting.
Lack of flowering
Flowers may not appear if the plant has not received proper rest during the autumn-winter period. Also, the reason for this is too spacious a container for cultivation.
Bright spots
White spots on the leaves of a flower are the consequences of sunburn. Avoid direct sunlight, only diffuse lighting.
Brown stains
Brown spots are a sign of an incipient fungal disease. It is urgent to treat the plant with copper chloride.
short peduncle
A peduncle that is too small can also be associated with a pot that is too spacious to grow. Clivia loves tightness, only in this case it gives long flowering on high peduncles.
don't push
The slow growth of a home crop is associated with the characteristics of the species or may be the result of a lack of nutrients in the soil.
few flowers
If a small number of flowers is not provided for in the description of the variety, attention should be paid to the size of the pot and the frequency of fertilizing. Also, sometimes the reason for this is a short period of dormancy, during which the plant did not receive proper care.
Diseases
Among diseases, rot and fungal diseases are most often affected by clivia. In the first case, it is necessary to transplant into new soil, removing damaged roots and treating them with charcoal.
In the second case, treatment with a fungicidal preparation will save the plant with strict observance of the instructions for use.
pests
Among the insects that infect a plant at home, the following are most often found.
Whitefly
If small white dots appear on the leaf plates, this is the result of the action of the whitefly. Chemical preparations "Aktara", "Aktellik", "Confidor" and folk remedies - garlic and soap solution, infusion of dandelions and yarrow are effective against this.
cochineal
The culture begins to lag behind in development, and the surface of the shoots and leaves is covered with a white, cotton-like bloom. Clivia is sprayed with a solution of soap-alcohol or chemicals - "Aktellik", "Fitoverm".
Spider
This pest envelops the plant in the finest cobwebs, subsequently the leaf plates crack and become dead. They use the same drugs as for cochineal. Of the folk remedies, treatment with an alcohol solution and irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp have proven their effectiveness.
Aphid
The sticky droplets appearing on the leaves are the result of aphids. The leaves become distorted and the flowers wither. Apply nettle infusion, sprinkle with wood ash. From the chemicals used "Decis" and "Actellik".
Thrips
Yellow spots on the leaf blades and small brown dots on their underside indicate that the thrips have infected the clivia. They are fought with preparations based on pyrethrum, soap and tobacco infusions.
Shield and False Shield
This pest leaves sticky drops and yellow spots on the leaves. It came out with the help of garlic infusion, "Fitoverma", "Fufanon".
Additional tips and tricks
If you follow the recommendations of experienced florists, tropical beauty will delight you with exquisite flowering for more than a year:
- They do not often change the place of growth of clivia.
- Do not flood the flower and provide it with high-quality drainage.
- Do not use too bulky pots.
- Do not expose the plant to the hot sun.
- Allow for a full rest period.