| I am looking to purchase a Clivia plant as a gift for a family member. Can you tell me any information I should know when purchasing a Clivia and where I might find them? |
| Clivia is a warm climate plant grown as a houseplant in cold winter areas. Clivias are evergreen perennials, native to South Africa. They're related to the amaryllis family, with brilliant clusters of usually orange funnel-shaped flowers rising from dense clumps of dark green, strap-like foliage. When planting, place the tuber just above the soil line (as you would when planting iris), and allow the clumps to grow undisturbed for best flower display. They seem to do well when somewhat potbound. Feed your Clivia whenit is in active growth with a diluted liquid fertilizer for flowering plants as indicated in the label instructions. The blooming period is between December and April, with most blooms between March and April although this can vary somewhat depending on how the plant is handled during its annual rest period. The plant that needs some special handling during fall or winter to grow well and bloom each year. There are two schools of thought about clivia, and I have seen gardeners succeed with them both ways. Some place the plant in a fairly cool (not freezing) area and withhold water for a few months during the fall, then bring the plant into normal household temperatures to restart it into active growth. Others maintain the plant in active growth with plenty of water all year, but ensure that it receives somewhat cooler temperatures in the fall in order to initiate buds. (You will find that the cooler the plant is kept, the less watering it needs.) Generally speaking clivia does better with average to cool household daytime temperatures and prefers somewhat cooler nights; what you decide to do may depend on what type of conditions you have to offer the plant. For plants, you might try Louisiana Nurseries, Rt 7, Box 43, Opelousas, LA 70570, ph# 318-948-3696 or White Flower Farm, 800-503-9624 or Logees http://www.logees.com/ as well as watching for offers along with amaryllis this fall. |
