The Amaryllis Family: Clivia Culture

The following information has been contributed by members of the International Bulb Society (I.B.S.) E-Mail Bulb Robin for your enjoyment.

CLIVIA MINIATA and its varieties.

Natural habitat:- Warm dry woodland in Natal.

Hardiness:- Will tolerate temperatures down to about 2C (36F).

Light:- Will not tolerate hot direct sun and will grow and flower in shade.

Spring:- Passes from the resting period to the growing period. While resting, temperatures of 7-13C (45 - 55F), little water and no fertilizer. Once in growth high temperatures are tolerated provided that there is no direct sunlight. Plenty of water and feeding.

Summer:- A growing period, high temperatures tolerated provided that there is no direct sun. Plenty of water, air and feeding.

Autumn:- Early autumn as summer, then a cool resting period with minimum water and no feeding. Temperatures 7-13C.

Winter:- Continuation of the resting period and beginning of the flowering period. As flower spikes appear a slight increase in watering and light feeding, and a rise in day temperature to 15-18C (ca. 60-65F) is desirable.

Pests:- Mealybug

Fertilizer:- Balanced, with high phosphate.

General:- The above conditions are those desirable for Clivia miniata, but it is an undemanding plant and will survive under adverse conditions and neglect, provided that it is not sun-scorched, frozen or over-watered in the resting periods. It is a good house plant but appreciates being out of doors in the shade in summer.

Roger Mercer and Sir Peter Smithers

Visit the Great Lakes Bulb Society home page.

For more information about the Great Lakes Bulb Society, contact:
Jim Shields, at jim@shieldsgardens.com.

For information about this account, contact:

James E. Shields, jim@shieldsgardens.com

Last revised: 15 March 2001.