The first day of spring is one thing; and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. – Anon
Cape Town - The variable weather these past few weeks has resulted in surprises in flowers. While shrubs such a the Confetti Bush (coleonema), Indian Hawthorn (raphiolepis) and Buddleja all have burst into bloom simultaneously and splendidly, other plants like the clivia have shown different stages of flowering.
I had been told that the magnificent clivia display at Babylonstoren would be at its best in mid-September. Yet, when I went there at that time, only about half the plants were in flower. Nevertheless they made a pleasing sight, with architectural arums blooming among the six different colours on show and, for added effect, white Pekin ducks foraging around them.
Clivias are versatile, easy-to-grow bulbous plants. They do well both in the open ground as well as in containers.
Optimum conditions would include dappled shade and a rich, well-drained growing medium to which mature compost and bonemeal has been added.
Direct sunlight, especially in the hot afternoon, will scorch the leaves.
Applications of 3.1.5 in early spring, early summer and late autumn are advised.
Of the six species of clivia, C.miniata , sometimes known as the Natal bush lily, is the easiest to grow.
The clivia is named after Charlotte, Lady Clive, Duchess of Northumberland and is endemic to Southern Africa.
It is becoming increasingly popular worldwide and especially in the Far East, where many exciting hybrids and varieties have been developed.
One north-east Chinese city, Changchun, has even named it as its flower emblem.
After flowering is over, usually in early summer, you can divide up large clumps by using two garden forks, back to back. If you have the time and patience, you can also propagate clivias from seed. Break open the ripe berries to reveal the seeds and, after cleaning them in water, press them into deep seed trays with a good growing medium made up of equal parts of coarse river sand and finely milled bark.
Keep moist and watch the little plants emerge in four to six weeks. This is a slow process, for the seedlings may only be ready for planting out in their third year, and even then, one has to wait for them to mature into flowering specimens!
The lily borer or amaryllis caterpillar is the main pest affecting clivias and can be destroyed with a carbaryl-based insecticide such as Karbaspray. - Cape Argus