Clivia is a plant native to southern Africa, where it grows on marshy land. It was introduced in Europe in 1854. But nowadays it is still less widespread as an ornamental plant in pots apartments.
It is lively, with thick roots, fleshy leaves and creates to you a special mood while watching it.
The leaves are persistent, numerous, linear, about 40-60 cm long, dark green, glossy, in the shape of a fan. They start at the bottom of a short stem, thickened.
Large flowers, like the lily, reddish-orange blossoms are grouped in large bunches (10 to 15 flowers) on the top of a vigorous stems, 40-60 cm high. The plant blooms every year, spring, even summer sometimes. The flowers open gradually, so that flowering takes a few weeks.
Fruits are red, fleshy. Two cultivated species are known: Clivia nobilis (red flowers with green shades to the top) and Clive mini (orange and red flowers at top). Propagation is easy by separating the plant (in spring) or by seeds. Plants bloom after two years of culture.
Propagation by seed requires prior artificial pollination, flowering plants within 3-4 years after sowing. Seed is sown immediately after harvest in boxes, sandy soil, shallow, because it rots easily. Kept in a warm temperature, it germinates in 14-16 days. When plants have a leaf (a week), they have to be put in small pots individually.
Clivia plant emission is cold, a little pretentious, resisting well in rooms with dry atmosphere and sudden temperature changes. It can be kept in apartments for many years. It begins to bloom in 3-4 cultures, after increasing up to 5 to several leaves.
Clivia plants are grown in a soil mixture consisting of: 2 / 5 ground leaf, 2 / 5 ground celery and 1 / 5 sand. In winter, the plants are held, if possible, at a temperature of 8-10 degrees and they need moderate watering. From time to time, remove the dust deposited on leaves with a dry cloth or slightly damp.
When floral stem reaches 5-7 cm, the plants are watered more often and they are kept warm too, about 18 degrees. During the summer, you can take it out to the window or in the garden, in a semi-shade area. They should be thoroughly wet, and at 3-4 weeks they are given liquid fertilizers for flowering plants (1 g / 1 liter water). Stagnation of water in the soil can cause root rot.
Clivia Pictures Gallery
