Frequently Asked Questions
Planting / Transplanting
Q. When can Clivias be planted?
A. Clivias have been successfully planted any time throughout the year. The best time however is during the second half Spring and early Summer just after flowering, which will allow nearly a full year for the plant to recover before the next flowering season.
Q. When can Clivias be transplanted?
A. Clivias should be transplanted during the second half of Spring to early Summer. I prefer to take remove single plants from the bunch rather than to divide the whole big cluster.
Q. Do the plants stop flowering after transplanting?
A. Flowering sized plants that are transplanted normally still flower the next spring but may skip one flowering season.
Q. When do you transplant a Clivia growing in a pot?
A. The plant will look pot-bound, with roots growing out the top, too many suckers leaves and leaves not looking the natural green colour.
Flowering
Q. When do Clivias flower?
A. Clivia Miniata, Nobilis Caulescens and Mirabillis flower during Spring and early Summer, with Gardenii and Robusta flower during Autumn.
Q. How long after planting the seed will a Clivia flower?
A. Miniata, Gardenii, Robusta and Caulescens seedlings should flower at three to four year with slightly longer for the yellow varieties. Nobilis Mirabillis take considerably longer and will only flower after seven to nine years.
Q. What conditions are the best for the plants to flower?
A. The ideal conditions to encourage flowering is in an area with a lot of light but not direct sunlight. Sun during early morning up to mid-morning is actually good, but not later in the day. If the shade is too dark you will find that the plants are rather lazy to flower. Clivia plants grow in most soil types, with varying degrees of success, as long as the soil drains well. Clivia plants grown in pots must be planted in a well drained mix. Plants should not be watered more than once a week in the growing season and even less during the rest of the year. Plant food with a high content of Potassium at the end of the Winter into Spring, can encourage flowering.
Flower Stalk / Peduncle
Q. What do you do with the stalk/ peduncle after the flower has died down?
A. If you want to grow the plant from seeds you should pollinate it and leave the fruits to develop until they change colour and you can harvest the seeds. The seeds are only partially covered by soil and not planted deep under the soil surface.
If you don’t, then cut the flower stalk just above the base of the leaves and leave the short piece to dry before you pull it out
Soil
Q. What type of soil is the best?
A. In pots Clivias prefer a well drained, slightly acidic potting mix such as composted pine bark. If grown in the garden they grow in virtually any soil type with varying degree of success, provided that they are not over watered.
Wilting
Q. The Clivia has begun to wilt after it was growing beautifully?
A. It is more than likely too wet and that the some of the roots have rotted. The plant should be repotted. Clean the roots thoroughly and remove all rotting parts. Treat the affected area with Sulphur powder or another fungicide and allow drying for a few days before you repot it in a dry mix. Do not water for at least 10 to 14 days and thereafter, water it very sparingly.
Where To Plant
Q. Where can Clivias be planted?
A. Clivias do not grow in full sun but does tolerate a little early morning sun. An area of shade with some dappled sun is the ideal condition.
Q. Does the roots of trees affect the plants?
A. Clivias grow well under trees and do not mind the roots of trees. In fact the falling leaves are ideal for the plants as this gives them the natural feeding they receive in nature.
Q. Can Clivias grow where you can expect frost?
A. Clivias do not like frost and other extreme conditions. Plant them under evergreen trees to limit the risk of frost damage.
Seedlings
Q. Can you transplant Clivia seedlings with one or two leaves? (about 4 – 6 months old)
A. Yes. Seedlings should however preferably not be transplanted before they are one year old. Some growers keep them in seed trays up to two years.
Q. When is the best time to transplant seedlings?
A. As with the adult plants, the best time is during Spring and early Summer, but Clivia seedlings have been transplanted successfully throughout the year.
Q. What soil is the best for seedlings?
A. Use slightly finer composted pine bark, mixed with coarse sand, to provide a well-drained medium.
Q. What fertilizer can be used for seedlings?
A. As long as the seed is still attached to the seedling, no fertilizing is needed. Using a fertilizer which is high in Natrium and Phosforus will actually assist in their growth.
Fertilisers
Q. What type of fertilizer do you use for Clivia plants?
A. Plants that are near the flowering stage or actual flowering should be given a feed that has a high content of Potassium. The other plants and seedlings do not need such a high content of Potassium, but requires a high content of Nitrogen and Phosphorous.
Q. How often do you apply fertilizer?
A. Once every three to four weeks is sufficient. Some growers apply a light application every ten days.
Q. When do you apply fertilizer?
A. Apply from the early part of spring to the second half of Summer. Apply early in the morning before the temperature is too high
