HOW TO GERMINATE CLIVIA SEED AND GROW SEEDLINGS

The following are the methods used by Tino Ferero and Pikkie Stumpher for germinating clivia seed and growing the seedlings. Other growers have other methods that work just as effectively, so enquire from successful growers in your area.

Cleaning the seed

We always wash the seed clean, even from our own plants. We use an anti-bacterial liquid soap (1 teaspoon/liter of sterile pre-boiled water), mixed with an organic fungicide (Dithane or Verikop - ½ teaspoon /liter) and Hydrogen Peroxide (40 volume - 25ml/liter).

Soaking Seed

The seed is soaked for between 24 - 48 hours (depending on freshness of seed) in the above mixture to which is added 5 drops of Super Thrive per liter.

Containers and Medium in Containers

We have used different kinds of plastic containers with tight lids, such as ice cream and margarine containers. We have now bought neat transparent similar plastic containers that stack easier on each other in a limited space. Each container is clearly marked with a sticker indicating the seed and date.
Different sterile mediums have been used as basis in the containers with great success, such as paper kitchen towels, perlite, vermiculite, clean course river sand, etc. Nowadays we only use perlite or paper kitchen towels purely because it is convenient for us to do so.

Perlite, Vermiculite, Riversand

These mediums are filled with the above mixture for cleaning the seed to just below (say 1 - 2 mm) the surface of the medium.

Paper Towels

2 to 3 layers of paper towels are folded and placed in containers and dampened with the above mixture. Excessive water is discarded. The cleaned seeds are then placed on paper towel.

Seed is placed on the abovementioned mediums preferably without seed touching each other. After the lid has been closed tightly, inspect seeds every 4 - 5 days to check moisture content and add sterile water if necessary.

Where to Germinate

Any warm room will do provided night temperatures do not drop too low, say 18ºC (65ºF). For many years we germinated successfully on top of the refrigerator with its free source of heat at the back. Place some form of isolation (newspapers, magazines) between the top of the fridge and the containers. Then place a card board box upside down over the containers which can be stacked on top of each other inside upside down box. By moving the box to and away from the wall, the amount of heat to be caught up can be regulated, depending on temperature in the room.

Nowadays we have germinating boxes built from chipboard fitted with an ordinary home thermostat connected to three 60 watt bulbs. The thermostat is set to switch on at 22ºC(±71ºF) and off at 25ºC(±77ºF).

Fresh seed normally germinates within 3 to 4 weeks. Older (shrivelled) seed can take as long as 3 to 4 months. We have had 90% success germinating seed 8 months old kept in the fridge at 4ºC(40ºF).

When to plant out germinated seed

This depends on the weather conditions and prevailing temperatures. In South Africa seed normally ripens in July - August. The germinated seedlings are ready for planting in September - October. This is springtime and the weather is normally warm enough for the seedling to grow well.

Seed from the northern hemisphere reaches us in the first quarter of the year, i.e. late summer to early autumn. It germinates and is ready for planting in late autumn to early winter when temperatures, especially at night, are low. We prefer to leave this seed in the germinating container for as long as possible - some already have 2 to 3 roots with l or 2 leaves. If planted out in late winter to early spring, they remain dormant until temperatures rise and then start to grow vigorously.

We prefer to keep in season germinated seed in the plastic container in the breeding box until the root is at least 15 to 20 mm long and the first leaf has appeared, before planting out in the seed tray.

Medium in which to plant

Many growers do not pay enough attention to the medium used and suffer severe losses. The medium must be a very well mature sterile potting soil. We use a commercial potting soil that is bought at least 2 months before it is to be used. We then ensure that it is well composted by the time it is required for use.

This step of planting the germinated seedling is the most "dangerous" part of the whole growing process. In the plastic container in the germinating box conditions can be kept very sterile with virtually no losses. Most Clivia growers have, however, experienced serious losses and damping off once seedlings have been planted in the growing medium.

It is absolutely essential to sterilize the growing medium prior to planting. For this we use Previcur followed by a mixture of Spore Kill and Dithane. Boiling water can also be used. Get advice from your local garden centre how to sterilize your growing medium.

One of our Clivia enthusiasts once lost all 500 germinated seedlings from seed from Mr. Nakamura because she used a growing medium that was not sterile and well composted.

Planting out and feeding

Seedlings are potted into 15cm round or 17,5cm square plastic pots (or similar size plastic bags) once they have 3 to 4 leaves, i.e. after a year. Some growers plant them out earlier at the 2 - leaf stage after say 6 months. We stop planting out in April, i.e. just before our winter.

The seedlings are fed every 2 to 3 weeks with a suitable liquid fertiliser.

The Waiting Period

Growing Clivias from seed requires quite a bit of patience and devotion, but is very rewarding. If seed is grown every year, it is only the first 3 years that are frustrating, thereafter one has new plants coming into flower every year.

What is the Success Rate for Beautiful Siblings?

This depends on the specific line used. Tino got 5 Bushman seeds and each one is a potential show winner. Other lines have already been discarded by us because of poor breeding results.

We work on the principle that if both parent plants are magnificent, and we raise 100 siblings, 3 to 5 should be "Miss Worlds", a further 10 to 15 beautiful "Miss South Africas", and yet a further 10 to 15 beautiful princesses with quite a few other attractive contestants. But we have found that there are also recessive genes from former generations producing some rather ugly ducklings. By selection these are eliminated and normally bought by the garden landscapers with no monetary loss even if the initial seed was purchased. But even with say a 20% to 30% chance of growing plants just as good or better than the parents, it is still very much worth the while. It is a much cheaper route than purchasing the parents, which in most instances are not for sale or only for sale at exorbitant prices.
A Clivia grower should take up the challenge of growing this wonderful plant from seed. By going the route of the seed one can become the proud owner of a "Miss World".

We wish you every success with the growing of clivias from seed. We hope that some real beauties flower in your collection. Contact us if advice is required.

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