THE PLEASURE AND EXCITEMENT OF GROWING CLIVIAS FROM SEED

One doesn't only look forward to each flowering season, but to each and every stage of the clivia's development and growth: the flowering, deciding with what to pollinate, waiting for the seeds to ripen, germinating the seed and planting the seedlings, and then potting and re-potting them until they reach maturity. But the greatest excitement then still lies ahead: the first flower. The first three or four years is the frustrating period. After that there are plants coming into flower every year.

When the Clivia Club was established in South Africa in 1992, the Club started importing seed from overseas, mainly from Japan, Australia and Belgium. At that stage many of the members were not interested in the seed at all. Who wanted to wait for four years for a clivia to flower?

A few members bought the seed and now have very good collections of top quality clivias. Now clivia enthusiasts world wide realize that one of the best and cheapest ways of obtaining good clivias is to go the route of the seed. It is a longer route, but a very rewarding one.

In recent times the prices of top quality clivias have escalated dramatically. This was evidenced at the clivia auction held at the Clivia Conference in Kwa-Zulu/Natal in September 2002. One plant sold for R13 600, and two yellow Caulescens went for R8400 each. Many others went for more than R1000 each. In South Africa it is not uncommon to pay between R5000 and R12 500 for suckers from top clivia clones.

What is important to realize is the fact that each of these wonderful plants was grown from a seed and that every one growing clivias from quality seed has the chance of growing a magnificent champion.

When I was in California for the second Clivia Conference in 2001, we visited one of the top clivia growers. I asked him whether he would be prepared to sell some seed. He was not prepared to sell seed, pointing out to me: "If I sell you seed, you are likely to end up with the best one." Needless to say, I did not get any seed from him.

Nick Primich, founder of Clivia Club, was prepared to sell seed, but always limited the numbers each member could purchase. He said that the best clivias he had ever bred, flowered in the gardens of other members. This is of course the chance one takes selling seed of the best plants. Some of my best yellow green throats and peaches have flowered in the collections of people who bred them from my seed.

Due to space limitations, most growers can not plant and grow all their seed. I normally only plant 20 or 50 seeds from a particular crossing, and offer the rest of the batch for sale. The chances of the champions being in the sale batch are very good. This is also done by Pikkie Strumpher.

I have over a fairly long period of time invested in the purchase of seed every year. Whenever I see a really good plant, I enquire how it is being pollinated. If I am satisfied I order some of the seed. I am not interested in large amounts - three to five of a particular line will do me nicely. I have also imported seed on a regular basis from some of the top growers elsewhere in the world. By doing this, I obtain the advantage of their years of breeding and am immediately growing clivias with many generations of enhanced breeding behind them. Some of the best plants in our collection were not bought, but have been grown from seed.

Tino's Blushing Bride

In our collection we are very strict in the selection of plants. Only the very best are kept and used for seed and pollen production. Breeding is done in specific lines using only the best pollen onto the best stock. All pollination is done by hand.

I therefore strongly encourage you not to ignore the route of the seed to build up a beautiful collection of prize winning clivias. Much has already been written elsewhere on the methods to be followed, but if any assistance is needed, do not hesitate to contact us.

You are welcome to visit us at our nursery at 86 Impalalily Road, Florauna, Pretoria. It is however essential to arrange an appointment. Phone us, fax us or send us an e-mail.

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