How to water Clivia

Clivia is highly recognizable. Anyone who likes to grow flowers and plants will know this plant. If you want to grow Clivia, then the correct watering method is very important. Let’s talk about the watering method of Clivia.

1. How to water Clivia

1. Check soil moisture: Before watering, gently detect the moisture on the soil surface with your fingers. If the soil is still moist, don't rush to water it. Overly moist soil will cause the roots of Clivia to rot. Clivia likes a slightly dry growing environment.

2. Pay attention to drainage: Clivia needs a good drainage system to ensure that excess water can flow out and there are enough drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This can prevent the roots from being soaked in water for a long time and prevent waterlogging in the soil.

3. Be careful with the amount of water you apply: When watering, you should apply an appropriate amount of water evenly to the soil surface. Avoid pouring too much water at one time, as the water may not be absorbed by the soil quickly and cause root damage.

4. Avoid watering the leaves: Try to avoid pouring water directly on the leaves of Clivia, especially the heart leaves. Wet leaves increase the risk of root rot and are prone to the growth of pathogens.

5. Observe the condition of the plant: Regularly observe the overall condition of the Clivia, including leaf shape and color. If you notice that the leaves are wilting, yellowing, or becoming soft, it may be caused by improper watering. In this case, adjust the watering frequency appropriately.

2. Maintenance methods of Clivia

1. Soil

Clivia likes fertile, breathable, well-drained soil. You can mix leaf mold and fine sand in a ratio of 3:1, or use wood shavings or sawdust as the substrate. The Clivia should be repotted once every spring. When repotting, be sure to remove the old soil and pests at the roots, cut off rotten roots and dead leaves, and retain healthy roots and leaves. After repotting, water it thoroughly and place it in a cool place for a week. After new roots grow, move it to a normal light position.

2. Lighting

Clivia is a semi-shade and semi-sun plant that requires an appropriate amount of light, but not too strong or too weak. Generally speaking, it is enough to provide Clivia with 3-5 hours of diffuse light every day. You can use sunshade nets or curtains to block the sunlight, or you can place the Clivia in the shade of a tree or under a grape trellis. In summer, you should pay attention to avoid high temperature and strong light, and in winter, you should pay attention to increase light so that Clivia can bloom normally.

3. Temperature

Clivia likes a cool environment, the suitable temperature is 15-25℃. Pay attention to avoiding the heat in summer and keeping warm in winter. In summer, you can place the Clivia in a well-ventilated place to avoid high temperature and humidity. You can also use fans or air conditioners to lower the temperature. In winter, you can place Clivia indoors or on the balcony to avoid low temperature and dryness. You can also use a humidifier or spray water to increase the humidity. The lowest tolerant temperature of Clivia is 5℃. Below this temperature, it will enter a dormant state and stop growing and flowering.

4. Moisture

Clivia can store a lot of water and has well-developed fleshy roots, so do not water it too frequently. Wait until the surface of the soil in the pot is dry before watering. The method of watering is to use tap water or warm water, slowly pouring in from the edge of the pot until the water flows out from the bottom of the pot, to avoid water accumulation and root rot, and pour out the accumulated water in the tray. The frequency of watering should be adjusted according to changes in climate and seasons. Generally speaking, water once a day in summer, once every other day in spring and autumn, and once every two days in winter. In addition, pay attention to spraying water. Spraying the flowers and leaves of Clivia once a day can increase the air humidity and prevent the flowers and leaves from drying out. The method of spraying water is to use a narrow-mouthed kettle or spray bottle to spray water gently to avoid wetting the stamens and flowers, causing the flowers to rot or the pollen to be lost.

5. Fertilizer

The amount of fertilizer for Clivia should be appropriate, not too much or too little. Too much fertilizer will cause the Clivia to grow too fast, the leaves will become larger and softer, the flowers will become smaller and lighter, and even cause diseases and insect pests. Too little fertilizer will cause the Clivia to grow slowly, its leaves to turn yellow and thin, its flowers to be sparse and colorless, and even affect flowering. Generally speaking, base fertilizer should be applied once when repotting in spring every year. You can use organic fertilizers such as decomposed cow dung or chicken manure, or chemical fertilizers such as compound fertilizer or bone meal, and apply it according to the instructions on the fertilizer. Top dressing should be applied once a month. You can use diluted liquid fertilizer or water-soluble fertilizer, or solid fertilizer such as slow-release fertilizer or cake fertilizer, and apply it according to the instructions on the fertilizer. The method of fertilization is to sprinkle the fertilizer evenly on the surface of the potting soil before or after watering, and then gently rinse it with water to allow the fertilizer to penetrate into the soil. The frequency of fertilization should be adjusted according to the season and growth conditions. Generally speaking, fertilize once a month in spring and autumn, once every half month in summer, and stop fertilizing in winter.

That’s it