Cliviums are houseplants with exciting flowers. But now they have been somewhat forgotten, which has to do with their sensitivity. The plants require very special site conditions and care measures so that they grow and bloom he althily.
How do I properly care for a clivie?
Cliviums are attractive houseplants known for their bright orange-red flowers and dark green, sword-shaped leaves. As slightly poisonous plants, clivias require a bright but not too sunny location, regular watering and nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. To get them to bloom successfully, they should be kept cool in winter and only repotted when necessary.
Origin
The term Clivia describes both the genus Clivia and the popular ornamental plant Clivia miniata. It belongs to the amaryllis family and originally comes from South Africa. The plant grows in the valleys of Swaziland and in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape. The Clivie came to Europe around 1850. Here it gained fame under the common name Riemenblatt.
leaves
Clivia miniata develops basal leaves that are arranged in two rows. The leaves have a simple leaf blade and are sessile. The leaves are reminiscent of the shape of a sword. They can grow up to six centimeters wide, are dark green in color and have a shiny surface.
Bloom
Clivias bear large individual flowers that are clustered together to form umbellate inflorescences. At the end of an inflorescence there are between ten and 20 flowers. These are hermaphroditic and follow a threefold structure, which leads to a radial symmetry. Six flower bracts take on the display function. They have the same design and are fused together at their base. The bright orange to red tones contrast with the yellow colored throat. Here there are six stamens that surround a style with a three-column stigma.
The flowers are between six and ten centimeters large. Clivias develop their inflorescence stems in autumn. They grow from the leaf axils and bear flower buds that open in spring.
Fruit
At the end of the flowering period, round to oval berries develop from the individual flowers. As the fruit ripens, they take on a red color. It can take up to a year for a fruit to ripen. Vivipary is typical for clivia. The seeds germinate while they are still in the ripe berries on the mother plant. The seed first develops a taproot that bores through the pericarp. The development of the cotyledons then begins.
Growth
Cliviums are herbaceous plants that last for several years. They grow between 45 and 70 centimeters high and develop underground rhizomes that serve as survival organs. They are fleshy and thickened and help the plant store nutrients. A bulb-like stem grows from the rhizome and is formed from the leaf sheaths. Older specimens develop secondary shoots. They are a form of vegetative propagation.
Usage
Clivia miniata provides colorful accents in interiors. It forms a harmonious contrast to exotic green plants such as dragon tree, golden spotted fern or zebra herb. Clivias are suitable for winter gardens, living rooms and bright entrance areas. They like to spend the summer outside.
Is Clivie poisonous?
The fruits, leaves and flowers of the clivia are considered slightly poisonous. They contain alkaloids that have negative effects on the organism. Sensitive people are prone to skin irritation when they come into contact with the plant parts. To be safe, wear gloves when repotting or trimming the plant.
Possible symptoms:
- cough
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Salivation
- Symptoms of paralysis
As a first aid measure, drink plenty of tea or water after consumption. If larger quantities have been eaten, charcoal can provide relief. Since similar symptoms of poisoning can occur in dogs and cats, you should have your pet examined by a veterinarian.
Which location is suitable?
Clivia miniata prefers a bright location that is not in the blazing sun. The leaves tend to burn quickly in sunny places. An east or west-facing window is ideal. Here the plant gets enough sun in the morning or evening. Clivias do not tolerate drafts.
Once you have found the perfect location, the bucket should not be rotated or relocated. It is important that the plant always faces the light on the same side. Otherwise their ability to bloom will suffer. A small chalk line on the light side helps with orientation if you have to remove the plant pot from the windowsill.read more
Balcony
During the summer months, clivias feel at home on balconies and roof terraces. They like the summer freshness when they are given a sunny location. The place should be protected from the rain. In spring, pay attention to the nighttime temperatures, as the plants cannot tolerate sub-zero temperatures. You should not move the plant too often, as it does not tolerate the constant adjustments to changing conditions well.
What soil does the plant need?
Cliviums prefer a mixture of soil and compost. Quality soils for potted plants are available commercially, which provide the plants with an ideal basis for good growth. The soil should be loose and consist of medium-sized particles. This ensures optimal permeability. The pH value should be between 5.5 and 6.
This is the ideal soil condition:
- loamy to humus
- water permeable
- loose structure
- calcareous
- nutrient-rich
Propagate Clivie
Cliviums can be propagated with seeds or children. It can take three to five years for a plant to develop fruit for the first time. Childhood propagation occurs via side shoots that arise from the root ball of older plants. Cut off a piece of the root tuber with a side shoot and a few leaves. The children should be between 20 and 25 centimeters long. Use a sharp knife to make a clean cut. You can propagate the plant in this way immediately after the inflorescences have faded.
Plant the side shoots in a mixture of peat and sand in equal proportions. Place the planter in a bright location where there is no direct sunlight. Initially, the young plants are watered moderately. The soil should be slightly dry before watering. The young clivias are repotted for the first time as soon as the first roots poke through the top layer of soil. Fill the new planter with compost soil. The plant is cared for like a fully grown specimen.
Sowing
As soon as the fruits have ripened, they can be sown. You can recognize ripe berries by their dark red color. The seeds inside have often already begun to germinate, meaning the chances of successful propagation are very high.
Pick the berries from the plant and carefully remove the pericarp. Press the seeds into a planting container filled with potting soil. They should not sit deeper than one centimeter in the substrate. The seeds are loosely covered with substrate.
Make sure the soil stays evenly moist. To do this, cover the planter with a transparent film. Remove the film for a few minutes every day to ensure air circulation. This means that mold spores have no chance to settle. After about three weeks, the plants can be pricked out and transplanted into a larger container.
Clivie in the pot
Clivias are cultivated in pots because they cannot adapt to outdoor conditions. They react sensitively to suboptimal location conditions and should therefore always be in the same place. Use a heavy planter as clivias grow very wide and therefore become very heavy. Lightweight plant pots tend to fall over quickly.
Pouring Clivie
Clivia miniata requires constantly moist conditions. Make sure the root ball is always moist. A lack of water or waterlogging causes the leaves to fade and become wrinkled. The plant tolerates drought better than too much moisture. Reduce watering in winter. During the dormant phase, the Clivie doesn't mind if the root ball almost dries out. Only at the beginning of the new growth phase do you increase the watering again.
Fertilize Clivie properly
The first flower stalks emerge between February and March. This development increases the plants' nutrient requirements. From this point on, give your plant a liquid fertilizer via the irrigation water. Clivias enjoy regular fertilization every two weeks. In September you should slowly reduce the nutrient intake and finally stop it. During this time, your clivie is preparing for the winter break, during which it does not need any fertilizer.read more
Cut Clivie correctly
As soon as the inflorescences have wilted, you should cut off the stems. Fruit development robs the plants of energy and has a negative effect on the next flower formation. Cut off wilted plant parts regularly. When cutting, use a clean and sharp cutting tool. This reduces the risk of fungi or bacteria being transferred from the blade to the plant and entering the organism through the interface.
If your clivie has become too big, a larger cut is recommended. You should never cut back more than a third of the plant, otherwise it will not recover. The ideal time for this measure is before the winter break.
Repotting
Transplanting means stress for the plant. Therefore, you should not do this care measure during flowering or during the winter rest period. Repot clivias immediately after dormancy in February. She then has enough time to gain new strength and settle into the fresh soil until the flowers develop. Alternatively, you can repot clivias in September or October before they go dormant. Repotting is necessary if the plant is affected by diseases or pests.
Cover the bottom of the pot with broken clay, quartz sand or gravel. This layer acts as a drainage and ensures optimal water drainage. Fill the pot a third full with substrate and place the root ball in the pot. The gaps are then filled with soil up to two centimeters below the edge of the pot. Press the top layer lightly and give the plant enough water. If the substrate has settled in the first week, you can add some soil.read more
Wintering
Clivias retire in the fall and spend the winter in a dormant state. This phase lasts about four months. During this time, the plant needs a cool location with temperatures between ten and twelve degrees Celsius. In October, place your Clivie in an unheated room where it will find consistent conditions until January.
Cellars, stairwells, winter gardens or frost-free garages with south-facing windows are suitable as winter quarters. If the lighting conditions in the rooms are suboptimal, you can provide the plant with a light source using fluorescent tubes or grow lamps. Place the lamps 20 centimeters above the plant.
Diseases
Cliviums are robust against pathogens. The most common damage is due to waterlogging, which results in root rot. You can recognize rotting roots when the stability of the plant decreases. Stems and leaves become soft and hang limply. The leaves turn yellow and dry up.
Take the plant out of the wet soil and free the roots from the remaining soil. Severely soft and rotten roots are cut off. Clean and dry the rhizome with a clean cloth and dry the entire plant for the next 24 hours. Temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius are ideal. Then plant the clivie in fresh substrate and only water the plant lightly. The plant should be watered sparingly for the next two weeks before you can return to normal care.
Pests
Clivia miniata is primarily attacked by mealybugs and mealybugs, which are classified as scale insects. The pests leave webs that resemble cotton balls and a sticky film on the surface of the leaves. They occur more frequently in winter when the air is very dry due to heating.
A solution of 30 grams of solid soft soap and hot water is suitable for combating it. Stir the water vigorously to completely dissolve the soap. Allow the solution to cool before pouring it into a spray bottle. All parts of the plant are sprayed, creating small droplets. Repeat the action the next day.
Clivie not blooming
If the clivia does not bloom, there can be various reasons. The most common mistake that leads to flower failure is a location that is too warm in winter. Clivias need a cold stimulus so that they open their flowers next spring. Lack of light can also prevent flowers from developing. Make sure the location is bright enough in winter.read more
Tip
While most plants have to be repotted as soon as the container becomes too small, the Clivie benefits from the lack of space. Flower development is promoted by the reduced space in the substrate. Repotting is therefore not necessary when the first roots grow out of the substrate. Repot the plant as little as possible.
Varieties
- Striata: Old variety, important breeding form. Leaves yellowish-green variegated, young plants from Kindeln also develop this color.
- Aurea: Cream-colored flowers, blooms in winter.
- Clivia nobilis: Hanging flowers, petals orange with green tips or yellowish, pink.
