How to distinguish the quality of Clivia by its leaves

Leaf length-width ratio

The leaves of high-quality Clivia should be short and wide, with a length between 9 cm and 12 cm, and a length-to-width ratio of 4:1. Some varieties can reach 2:1 or even 1:1, such as Henglan.

Leaf tip morphology

The tips of the leaves should be round, not acute, or even concave or flat. Yellow-green and light green are the best leaf colors, while dark green and gray-green are inferior.

Leaf color

The leaf surface should have a good glossiness, giving people a shiny and radiant feeling.

Leaf Texture

The veins of the leaves should be prominent and form a clear color contrast with the leaf surface. The distance between the veins should be wide, and the "field" and "sun" patterns are the best.

Leaf thickness

The leaves should have a certain thickness, and the thickness in the middle and at the edges should be uniform. The leaves are elastic and feel hard and upright.

Leaf spacing

The distance between leaves is uniform and parallel, without overlapping. The leaves are arranged neatly, of uniform size, not twisted or leggy, and there are no leaves that are too long, making it look like a fan when viewed horizontally and a straight line when viewed from the side.

Pseudobulb morphology

The best shape for the pseudobulb is a flat ingot, followed by a pagoda or fish-scale shape. For the orchid, the stripes on the leaves should be clear and the colors should be bright.

The above factors should be considered comprehensively. For example, some varieties of Clivia have wide leaves, but their leaves are gray and dull, and sometimes have wrinkles. They cannot be considered high-quality Clivia and can only be used for hybridization and breeding of new varieties.