Page 14 - IFV September Issue 2024

Gardening

CLIVIA, QUEEN OF SPRING

Clivias are one of South Africa’s indigenous super stunners

and have become quite the collector’s dream.

BY ELIZE MALAN
pring is well-known for the Clivia different plants are used, both sets of spot, not in direct sunlight. The seed
flowers that grow in abundance in genes are mixed, resulting in a better seed should germinate anywhere between five
Sshady spots. set and more vigorous seedlings, which and 20 days, showing a white root but no
The upcoming Clivia Flower Show that combine characteristics of each parent. leaves.
takes place on 14-15 September at Garden If you want to try hybridising, look The germinated seeds are now ready
World Nursery, Beyers Naude Drive is an for the plant/flower characteristics that for planting into black plastic plant bags
excellent example of the exquisite hybrid appeal to you – such as colour, flower or pots about 20cm deep. A deep bag is
colours of Clivia that are available. Orange shape, number of flowers per head, leaf needed due to the excessively fast growth
is the original dominant colour, but new shape, etc. – and select your parent plants of the roots.
hybrids come in a spectrum from red (deep that have these. There are numerous If you find the above too time-
orange) to all shades and combinations of videos available on YouTube explaining consuming, scatter the seeds on the
peach, yellow and green, up to the palest how to hand pollinate Clivia flowers. ground in a moist, shady place in the
cream. The seeds are enclosed in a fleshy pulp garden and leave to germinate.
A colour mutation is a genetic variation and take several months to mature. Seeds Growing Clivias from seed is slow-going,
in a Clivia miniate, which can be can be harvested when the berries are but the results can be spectacular.
reproduced through sexual reproduction, still green. If left on the plant, the berries
Source: The Garden Group
whereas a colour pattern is the colour containing the seeds will soften and
distribution on a Clivia miniata flower. colour up red or yellow after about 10
These hybrids are the result of hand- months. They can remain on the plant for
pollinated flowers for seed production. up to two years.
Their large flowers make them easy After picking your berries, remove the
to pollinate (perfect for novice plant outer pulp and clean the seed by washing
breeders!), and the seed is large and easy it in a fungicide or dishwashing liquid. Let
to handle. The only drawback is that they it dry for about a week. Different growth
are slow-growing, taking on average three mediums can be used – for example, two-
to four years to flower from seed. litre plastic ice-cream containers – with
You can use the pollen of the same the seed placed between moist paper-
flower to pollinate it. However, if two towelling. Keep the container in a warm

12 • Issue 9 2024 • The Villager