|
Habitat
Clivia miniatas originally grew in the mountainous forests of South Africa. In summer, the trees would block out the sunlight, therefore, the clivias would grow slowly. In autumn, as the leaves fall from the trees, the clivias would recieve more sunlight and therefore grow faster. The winters are relatively warm in South Africa, so the clivias can survive in winter. Since the trees blocked strong sunlight in the summer, while there is mild sunlight in the other season. The clivias adapted to temperate sunlight and temperature.
Clivias prefer soil that has a lot of rotten wood and leaves, which provides nutrients. Since clivias live on mountains, water from precipitation seeps quickly through the dirt. As a result, clivias grow well in the rich moist soil.
If you think about the conditions of the mountainous forests of South Africa, then you can try to create an environment as close to their natural environment as possible. If you do, you will most likely grow the perfect, healthy clivias. Leaves
Leaf quality is the most important factor for a clivia. The leaves should be straight, erect, broad, thick, shiny, round tip, and light green with dark thick veins. Most people enjoy the leaves more than the flowers. The leaves of clivias can absorb a lot of dust in the air and release 35 to 40 times more oxygen than other plants.
Flowers
Clivias mostly bloom in winter. The flowers are usually orange. The colour of the flowers will change during the bloom. It starts at a lighter colour and changes to a darker colour gradually. Due to selective breeding, there are now a lot of different colours such as peach, apricot, white, yellow and green.
Fruits
A clivia will have green fruits after its flowers are pollinated. The fruits will mature in about eight months to one year. The fruits will change to a orange colour when they mature. The fruits are also very beautiful. Temperature
The optimum temperature for clivias are from 15oC to 25oC. Temperature that is too low or too high will cause them to grow slowly. If it's lower than 0oC, their leaves will freeze to death. Light
Put clivias in a bright location. Clivias prefer partial sunlight in oppose to direct sunlight. If you keep your clivias in a room with the window facing:
South: Partial in all the seasons for old clivias. Direct only in winter for young clivia (< 2 years).
North: Direct sunlight in all the seasons.
East and West: Partial in summer, direct in winter.
(Keep in mind that each individual clivia is different. You must watch the changes in leaves and adjust the light level) Humidity
If you grow the clivias at home, then there are no particular requirements. Spraying water on the leaves often will make the leaves look better, but you must prevent the water from going into bottom of the leaves where the leaves meet. Watering
Water when the soil at the top of the pot gets dry. Spraying water into the soil can make it evenly moist while preventing overflowing and leaking. If too much water leaks, the nutrients in the soil will be washed away. Be sure put spacers between the pot and the saucer to prevent the pot from being soaked in water. Clivia roots may rot if the pot soaks in water too often.
Leave water in a container for a while in the same room as your clivias to make the water temperature the same as room temperature.
Add a little liquid fertilizer in the water when watering will give the clivia some nutrient.
Soil
Clivias need ventilating and percolating soil. Potting soil sold in stores is fine. Tropical soil sold in stores is better. Soil that has lots of rotten wood, leaves or grass is even better. When organic matter decompose, nitrate is produced. Plants absorb nitrates as nutrients. You also can prepare good soil by yourself by using recipes from clivia specialists. Fertilizer
Clivias need fertilizers because when fertilizers decompose, nitrate is created. Nitrate is essential to clivias. Stir fried soybean, sesame or other oil beans are good fertilizers. Bury them near the perimeter of the pot and keep a distant from roots of the clivia. Fertilizing little once in a while is better than fertilizing a lot at a time. Using chemical fertilizers, such as liquid fertilizers, from stores is also fine. Aside from nitrate, clivias also need minerals to remain healthy. Repot clivias every year to meet mineral requirement.
Pot
Clay pots are better than plastic ones. The height should be taller than the width. Use a reasonable sized pot for your clivia, don't use a huge pot for a tiny plant, and vice-versa. Clivia in smaller pot has a good ventilation and easy to control soil moist.
|
