Growing Clivia mirabilis

Growing Clivia mirabilis has been a steep learning curve. I have found that it is very important to bear in mind the climatic conditions under which this species grows in the wild. Discovered in the Northern Cape near Nieuwoudtville the area experiences a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with winter rain of approximately 400 mm (16 inches) a year, dry summers, light frost in winter and maximum temperatures of up to 45 C in summer.

For various reasons plant growers all have their own methods, be it climate, local conditions, personal choice or how advice from others is interpreted. Over the past two years I have cultivated the seedlings of C mirabilis and I have not found this as easy as growing other Clivia species. The following information results from my experience and hopefully these suggestions and comments will be of assistance to first-time growers of the plant.

I have found the seedlings of C mirabilis prone to root and stem rot. They have been grown in two different media.

• a growing medium consisting of three parts milled pine bark (5 mm ) plus two parts milled pine needles and a pelletised organic fertilizer added. (I grow all of the other species of Clivia in this medium without any rotting problems)
• a medium consisting of clean course sand added to the above medium in equal parts. This mixture resulted in far less root rot.

The seedlings have been grown in two tunnels, one of which is warmer as 2 of the seed beds are heated. For the last 4 months all the seedlings have been fed with calcium nitrate and some with Peters Professional and they respond well to feeding.

To reduce the possibility of root or stem rot I suggest the following:

•  Use 8 mm composted milled pine bark (I would not add organic fertilizer to the mixture) A mixture of equal parts milled pine bark and clean course sand is also ideal.

•  Water sparingly (once every 2 weeks or less depending on the weather). Check the growing medium before watering and, if moist, delay watering until medium is damp.

•  Stage pots on a generous layer of course grit or on wire mesh staging to ensure that all surplus water is able to drain freely from the bottom of the pot.

•  Plant the seedlings at a depth where the base of the stem is level with the surface of the growing medium.

•  Repot every 9 months with fresh growing medium to ensure a well aerated medium providing sharp drainage.

•  Feed plants once a month with a general inorganic fertilizer.

•  Plants that have lost their roots completely should be treated with a fungicide and then planted in clean sand where they will develop new roots. The sand needs to be kept moist.

Once the seedlings reach a height of 400 mm and a stem diameter of approximately 15 mm they appear to overcome their susceptibility to root and stem rot. The plants grown in the warmer tunnel have grown more rapidly and I suggest if growers are able to provide heating a minimum of 15°C in winter and a maximum of 28°C to 30°C in summer will speed up growth rate. Once the plants reach flowering size do not provide any heat because a cold spell will stimulate flowering. The seedlings have not been exposed to direct sunlight and only once mature would I consider the plants ready to be exposed to direct sunlight. Although there are plants in the wild growing in full sun the majority grow in the shade and in my opinion the latter plants are a better quality. Although C mirabilis experiences light frost in the wild I am yet unable to comment on how sensitive they are to frost.

In conclusion, I hope these comments will be helpful and that you will enjoy the rewards of growing a new species.

John Winter: May 2005