How to Divide and Repot Clivia Plants

[@Jab195815]

Thank you for the video, Johnny. I have been growing and sharing Clivias‘s for about 15 years. I found them to be very resilient and can get blooms out of them in June. I am going to try it a bit colder this winter to see if I can get them to bloom earlier.I am happy with the blooms whenever they come, such a surprise and delight‼️ A successful surprise bloom on a Clivia is like Christmas morning!

[@johnnyAGardening]

You are right about them being resilient, ours cope with some fairly cold winters, no frosts or freezes. And although some years the foliage can look a little tatty, they come back. We do find some of the variegated foliage forms to be not as hardy.... so we need to work on those a little harder. Good luck for the Christmas Clivia show.....

[@DWParsons1]

Very helpful video - now I'm not stressing the "how to do it"!

[@classical7]

Same 😁

[@barbewilliams3706]

In the fall of 2017 I repotted 7 seven Clivias, the plants had been in a clay pot. I did the same thing, cleaning the old soil out and separating the individual plants. I then cut coco fiber into circles to fit in the bottom of 7 clay pots, this is to allow good drainage without soil coming out the hole in the bottom. I like to use Miracle Grow Potting Soil for all my plants, they are happy and I’m not having to measure a 1/3 of this , a 1/3 of that etc. I gave 4 away to friends and kept the other 3. Each summer they go outside on the north side of the house out of the sun and will bloom a few weeks later. Granted I don’t follow the “rules” but I haven’t lost a plant yet and they do multiply.

[@johnnyAGardening]

Hello Barbe, Clivias are remarkably tough plants and as long as drainage is good they thrive. Interesting with the coco fibre circles, we will have to have a look at that. And we have also used Miracle Grow products however only the fertilisers and they work well.

[@barbewilliams3706]

@@johnnyAGardening it’s now 2022-late February, last yr I bought a roll 20 ft. of coco fiber. You can find it at garden centers, I plant a lot of containers for my deck as it controls vermin (I live in the middle of a field). You can purchase small pieces to see if this is for you. Best of luck 🤞🏽!

[@joannacummins4839]

Tough to do in an apartment!

[@barbewilliams3706]

@@joannacummins4839 Some nurseries will let you use their potting areas for a small fee. It might be worth it since you reside in an apartment. Best of luck.

[@alisonburgess345]

OMG - I’ve just rescued some clivias from a side bed in my garden. They’ve been pretty brutalised, however, I’ve tried my best to divide them, clean them up and pot them up until I can plant them into my new garden. Some of them will be pretty touch and go, but they’re so expensive, I think it’s worth a shot. Nice video.

[@johnnyAGardening]

Have confidence, a little TLC , part shade and do not let the soil get to wet and I am sure they will survive. We very rarely loose any, and we are not that gentle on them.... Good luck and hope the video helped.

[@christinalw19]

Finally dug mine up in January 2022. Will try to get some seeds, but I’m putting divisions back in the ground which I keep fairly dry under a portico in my courtyard entrance. Giving some away to gardener friends. 💚

[@johnnyAGardening]

We think they are better when divided, healthier, less snails and slugs and generally look better. Looking at dividing another large clump soon...

[@Pete-the-great1964]

Great video Johnnie. Very useful. My Clivia is very potbound and I think I may get several new plants by dividing. Thank you very much for your expertise from England.

[@johnnyAGardening]

Thanks for watching.

[@cherylglowacki1802]

I have a Clivia plant which originally was my nan's cant believe how easy they are to grow, haven't been touched for years and still look good. Now must repot and dreading doing it in case I kill them

[@johnnyAGardening]

Hello Cheryl, fairly sure they will survive the repotting, they are tough plants....

[@hendrytesjacobs3581]

Thanks for all your advice 🙏 ALL

[@theeverythingstation1118]

Thank you so much. I have a very large pot bound plant. I would have put the new plantings in the wrong soil without your video.

[@elainefleischmann4175]

Excellent video! Thank you.

[@felyricketts4619]

Thanks for the video. Now I know how to repot my clivia

[@johnnyAGardening]

Thanks Fely, it is fairly easy and you should be confident that they will thrive.

[@bennaustin6632]

I planted a clivia in what I thought was a shady spot on the south side of the house under the eaves. Turns out that in summer it gets more sun than it likes. At least I presume it’s getting burnt as some of its leaves go brown at the edges and it seems to be those leaves which hang out from under the eaves more. I’m going to move it to a shadier spot under a tree. It will be getting bore water reticulation there. I was worried about doing that, but after seeing this, I’m no longer concerned. The roots will obviously recover. It’s the first I’ve ever had and it’s flowered twice now.

[@johnnyAGardening]

When you move it, water it in well, however let the soil dry a little between watering as Clivia do not like soggy wet soils.

[@traceypham9180]

Very good video clip . Thanks for sharing !

[@jesusalockwood3909]

Thank you for this information.

[@classical7]

Awesome video!😊👍

[@lizzig3611]

Very informative and helpful, thanks.

[@wandasinger7713]

Thank you so much. This is a very good video. I have two large pots of Clivia. They have been in the pots for 15 years. I’ve got to transplant them. Is it too late in the year to transplant them? When they boom they are so beautiful 😍 Thank you 😊

[@LaSpaghettini]

Thanks for your Video. Now I remember how I always did it.

[@澳凯留学移民]

Great video, thanks

[@lisat3107]

Thanks for the great video. I’m in Melbourne, I just divided an over crowded clivia and watered with seasol and placed in shade. It’s going to be very hot next couple of days , should I wait until the potting mix dried out before water again.

[@johnnyAGardening]

If it is in the shade, and the potting mix is still moist, yes wait until it dries a little.

[@dorothychen7817]

Hi Johnny , i just bought a Clivia with 8 leaves, one leaf fell off leaving 7 behind, i wonder how many leafs would it grow in a year and approximately will it flower if they have 10 leaves in spring next year. Thank you for a very good educational video.

[@johnnyAGardening]

With 8 leaves it should flower either this season or next. As for how many leaves a year, this depends on climate, soil etc....

[@BetulaONeill]

Thank you for the video. I have a cream Clivia which I inherited from my mother and which flowers beautifully every year. It is too big for its pot, so I will repot it in the spring, having seen your video. My question is that the plant just keeps getting fatter and fatter, but doesn't grow young plants that I could separate. and grow on. Is there a reason for this, please?

[@johnnyAGardening]

You are probably giving it too much love. To make offsets, Clivia usually need a little stress. Stress factors can include less water, less fertiliser and even lower or higher light. Sometimes repotting can stress the plant, just don't over fertilise, and make sure it has a wet/dry watering cycle, drying out for a while acts as a stress factor. Some people suggest damaging the plant stem, however this can kill the plant so we don't do that.

[@piedadbarrios8147]

son lindas las clivias

[@dorothycoulas3193]

From Ottawa, Ont. Canada. I have a plant that was divided 2 years ago. Needs done again. Flowers for me . Just love it. The balls that are one the stem after the flowers are gone Im not sure whether to leave them on or cut them off.

[@johnnyAGardening]

On the old flower stalks these balls sound like the seed pods, if you want the seeds leave them on, it should not make any difference. If you don't want the seeds , cut the old flower stems off.

[@MegaAngels619]

Thanks. Very helpfull video.

[@bernadetteb176]

Does it matter what time of year you repot? Mine are indoor and just had a spectacular bloom.

[@johnnyAGardening]

Really it does not matter, however best just after flowering.

[@helenhale9958]

very helpful video. what is the best time of the year to divide a clivia?

[@johnnyAGardening]

We divide them in late summer, or early spring. Any time its warm, NOT HOT, and some moisture is around, so not in dry in summer periods. You can also reduce the foliage a little to help with transplant shock.

[@swarsaber8907]

Very nice

[@johnnyAGardening]

Thanks for that.

[@LinhNguyen-hn1yg]

good video! Thanks.

[@DavidButler-ox4bv]

Great video. Was wondering if I could centre a single clivia into a planter box that's 18 cm deep, 18 cm wide and 40cm long, or do you think that would be too small?

[@johnnyAGardening]

I would think that it should work, I would certainly give it a try, should make a good display..

[@JimHorgan-x9p]

Just a question. It is near end of summer in my area, is this an ok time to repot or should I let it go to spring next year. Any preferred season for repotting?

[@johnnyAGardening]

The best time is after flowering. However, unless you are about to get very cold weather, it would still be OK. We have shifted them in winter, however we have mild winters compared to some.

[@joshadikal1617]

Hi Jonny, thanks for share. I have a Clivia in interior (I live in Canada) for a couples of years and it was giving me two blossom at year, but since a year it didn't. So I add some soil, but I'm not sure if I do the right thing. What kind of mix are you using, or can you suggest me some tricks. Thanks.

[@johnnyAGardening]

You do need a free draining soil mix, you also could try a fertiliser high in potassium. Clivia also need a 'chill period' of around 6 weeks around 10C or 50F, so indoors, in a heated environment they may not be getting the chill factor needed to flower.

[@luluortiz6786]

Thanks

[@lizswindle66]

I have a clivia plant that has 2 plants in the pot .. I thought it needed more sun so I moved it out into My front porch for the summer .. and I guess I want paying enough attention put too much water on the plant.. and one of the plants doesn’t have any roots ... is it possible to save it ..?? I will get some good soil and repot them both ...?? Please Don’t tell me Ive destroyed my plants .. this was a gift from my late husband ... I just wasnt paying the attention that I needed to ... also, what kind of soil Should I purchase ...??

[@johnnyAGardening]

The one with roots should be fine once repotted, the one without will need a a little extra care. The one without roots..... See this article from Shields garden www.shieldsgardens.com/info/Rootless.html#:~:text=Left%20alone%2C%20these%20rootless%20plants,plant%2C%20this%20should%20be%20removed. For the one with the roots, you can use a normal potting mix, although a fine orchid potting mix is a little better.We have used a fine Cymbidium Orchid mix. Keep the plants out of full sun, Clivia need light shade and free draining soil. Water once with a liquid seaweed fertiliser, just enough to moisten the soil NOT wet and soggy, and then not again for 3 - 4 weeks.

[@ericapiskulich5414]

Hi! Thank you for your great video. My clivias are huge. They haven´t been divided for almost ten years and they are looking really sad.I´d heard that clivias don't like to be disturbed, so I didn't divide them. First question: the edges of the leaves are yellowish and some are damaged. Shall I leave them like this or remove them? Second question: I'm moving again in about two months and I'd like to take them with me but I'd rather not pot them because I have about 15 plants now and I'will replant them when I move. Is there a way I can keep them temporarily, like a very big wash basin with loose soil? I live in the Tigre delta in Argentina, and we have alluvial soil, with a lot of mulching and leaves detritus which makes it very fertile. Excuse the length of my post!

[@johnnyAGardening]

Hello Erica. We tend to leave the damaged leaves and let the plant recover naturally unless they are low down on the plant. However you can remove damaged leaves as long as its less than around 1/3 of the leaves. The trick is to keep the plant looking good when you remove the leaves. Yes you can dig them and keep the roots damp, a tub of loose soil is ideal, even some mulch or leaf mold around them will do. As long as the roots are kept damp and not exposed to the sun for too long. It must be interesting to be gardening in soil like that.

[@franhardie]

What season of the year is it best to repot Clivia?

[@neal1266]

is it ok to cut the roots a bit shorter when you remove from one pot to another? i have a bunch here that need repotting and trying to care for these. i use patio plus potting soil but have to check if this drains well for these.

[@susanb6104]

No, it may kill the plant

[@claudiahowell9508]

Oh no, I saw another video about overwintering them and they treated them like amyrillas so I cut the leaves back. Will the leaves grow any bigger now that they have been cut?

[@johnnyAGardening]

These are tough plants as long as they don't get too wet. They should come back with no problems. They come from the same family as Amaryliss, but they like shade Amaryliiss like sun.

[@bennydudkevitch]

TY!

[@mining1850]

Hi, I have few bunches of these and want to move the baby ones to other part of garden, what month should I do it? I am in NSW. Thank you!

[@johnnyAGardening]

Ideally - Spring or early summer. However in NSW, just about any time except mid summer. Just get them back into the ground ASAP and take as many of the roots as possible.

[@MsTinytin]

Hi! Suceeded in making quite a coarse potting soil for my clivias! Now hoping for the best. Would you please suggest what is best fertilising for them? You mentioned a website that one could visit for more information. Would you please mention the name of the website?

[@johnnyAGardening]

www.nurseriesonline.com.au/plant-index/flowering-bulbs/clivias/

[@MsTinytin]

johnny A - thank you, that was great help

[@debturner517]

Great video & info, thanks! But, can you please stand behind your table for future videos, so that we can see the actual process instead of your jacket?

[@suewallin5531]

Need Advice My Clivia is trying to bloom without pushing up a flowering stalk! It has not done this in the past. I have not repotted recently. It is not pot bound yet. What's up and how can I get to see my pretty blossoms way down there in the tight center??? Any help truly appreciated!

[@johnnyAGardening]

Clivia will bloom on short spikes, usually for one of two reasons. 1. Because of cold temperatures during flower development. Try to keep them at 60 - 70 F (15 - 20C) daytime in spring. 2. Because of lack of water during flower development. When the flower buds appear and a short stem is evident, water, but do not over water. Hope of of these is the answer...

[@suewallin5531]

THX Johnny! It could be they got a chill! I will water w/ more than usual potassium. Sad the long awaited blooms are hidden in the tight base of foliage.

[@susanb6104]

When I see flowers starting like that, I always give the plant a good drink of water. This causes the stem to shoot up so the flowers are above the leaves.

[@votsod123]

Hi Can you please let me know the name of the potting mix you used?

[@johnnyAGardening]

We used a cymbidium orchid mix, no brand name as we buy it locally from a small manufacturer.

[@votsod123]

@@johnnyAGardening I'm in Sydney, can you please recommend an orchard mix that's good?

[@johnnyAGardening]

@@votsod123 The Debco Orchid Mix works well.

[@charlieprevost]

Hi johnny A, I'm located in Southern Tasmania and have inherited an over crowded pot of deprived clivia's. I'm dead keen to divide them and repot and get them healthy but it is very cold down here currently. If i were to divide would keeping them in a green house until spring be ok?

[@johnnyAGardening]

Hello Charlie, We have not divided Clivia in very cold climates. Cold yes but Southern Tassie is a fair bit colder than what we get. I would think if you keep them in a Greenhouse they should be fine. As long as they are not subjected to freezes or really heavy frosts at any time until they are reestablished. And do not over water after dividing and use a free draining potting mix. The other options, if you are worried is to wait until spring.

[@charlieprevost]

@@johnnyAGardening Thank you. How about I give it a go and report back ;-)

[@quinhonkc9683]

😍👍

[@trinasaussiegarden244]

Hey Johnny, I’m in Melbourne and have a huge clivia patch in the garden, can I divide and replant this time of year?

[@johnnyAGardening]

Hello Trina, good question. Most advice is that the best time to divide Clivia in terms of flowers is after they have flowered in spring and this is true if you want flowers this year and next as well. HOWEVER, they divide and replant fairly easily, so for us, the best time to divide them is whenever we feel the need and have the energy, if we miss one seasons flowers we don't mind much as they will flower better the next year anyway... In very cold climates we would wait until early spring, however in Melbourne winter is not really that cold. Except for the past week..... Just remember to prepare the area where you intent to replant them, BEFORE you dig and divide, this means you can replant them straight away, it always feels better to be able to complete the task in one go.

[@trinasaussiegarden244]

johnny A Thanks so much for the quick response! I thought I remembered you were from these parts as well and would know the answer. We are planting a lot of deciduous trees over winter and the Clivia patch is in the area where we will be doing some planting so it’s good to know I can divide and move them at the same time. I’ll prepare the new locations as suggested first. And yep I think we are hitting zero tonight so rug up! Cheers, Trina

[@saralawman3545]

When can you divide and repot?

[@johnnyAGardening]

Usually in spring after flowering. ALTHOUGH, if needed, any time of the year except mid winter in very cold climates.

[@jojiesiriban9862]

Is it a good idea to transfer my clivia with flowers in the pot?

[@johnnyAGardening]

WE guess you do not mean dividing, just repotting. Generally we would wait until the flowers have finished as if you disturb the roots and the plant you will probably lose the flowers. However , if you don't mind losing the flowers you could divide them, just cut the flower head off. If you are just 'changing pots', and do not disturb the plant or the roots to much, and you really want to change pots, then that could work without losing the flowers, just be careful and give the plant some water after changing pots..

[@christinalw19]

Mine are in the ground in a covered area. I will dig up, divide, and will plant others in another partial sun area. (My friend at nursery knows a man who makes 89K a year growing clivia for seed.) 😳

[@johnnyAGardening]

Yes the people who cross pollinate and grow rare and new colours do make a lot of money from seed. Breeding Clivia for new varieties is a big business in some areas.

[@jimtalbot5742]

How do you prevent leaf tip burn in Clivia? My plant flowers, does well under present growing conditions but tips die & turn brown making it unattractive.

[@johnnyAGardening]

Hello Jim, a good question and a common problem. Usually brown leaves are caused by either too much sun, especially on hot days, so a a lot of growers have them under shade cloth. Also by over fertilisation, this can cause the tips to go brown very quickly. If the brown extends down the leaves it can be a lack of trace elements such as Iron and/or Calcium. OR Stress from to much water (and, rarely to little water) Also frosts will turn them black to brown. Fungal infections and viral infections, although these last two usually have a effect on the whole leaf and cause brown spots Hope this makes sense so can identify the problem.

[@MsTinytin]

Can I use a soilless potting medium?

[@johnnyAGardening]

Yes, these are usually peat based mixes with sand and grit for drainage. Promix make one that should be suitable.

[@MsTinytin]

johnny A -thank you! I am in India. I have 8 clivia plants. They flowered only once. I went wrong with the potting medium first time. Am looking for the best potting medium I could use for them here. I may not find Peat based mixes here. Hence wondering what could be the alternate potting medium. How about cocopeat, perlite and compost?

[@johnnyAGardening]

That should be OK as long as it drains well, maybe a course coco peat and a little gritty sand could also help. Make sure the containers have good drainage holes.

[@annieconway8998]

I re-potted and split an EXPENSIVE clivia 2 years ago and it’s been sulking since. Not one flower ever again. 😓

[@andrewwalton5813]

You pronounced Clivia two different ways in this video. Which is the right way?

[@johnnyAGardening]

This is a long running debate - Two ways are used The first is after Lady Clive so CLI vee yah The second is classical Latin way which is KLEE vee ah more like as in Trivia Why do I use both, probably because after much discussion I am confused as to which is right..... As for which is right…… I think ---- BOTH ARE RIGHT Unless the pronunciation police are listening. Take a look at this article www.abc.net.au/gardening/how-to/for-the-love-of-clivias/9433310

[@gingalagao3]

Will you be kind to share your clivias, I'm willing to pay the price and shipping seeds will be fine if you have some please..

[@chrishull6837]

A great South African Plant now available in a couple of different colours. Pronounced Clivvias not Clive ias

[@billastell3753]

Some say potaito and some say potauto I say mashed please.

[@rossmcleod7983]

Chris Hull Clivias are named after a first class, mass murdering, despotic prick. I’m all for ditching the name altogether as I’m ridiculously fond of the plant.

[@1minotm1]

does Clivia survive outside in the garden over the winter ?

[@johnnyAGardening]

It depends on the climate, they do not cope with freezes or heavy frosts. Very wet soil in winter can also be a problem. In temperate climates they survive well outdoors, so it all depends on your location.

[@rosemaryjane7110]

He goes from pronouncing the name correctly, after lady Clive, to the incorrect common pronunciation! Lol some of us are purists!

[@johnnyAGardening]

Something for everyone then. Hope you enjoyed the contents of the video....

[@polishmeatworker]

Thanks mate

[@polishmeatworker]

Can I plant straight into the ground?

[@johnnyAGardening]

Yes, in well drained soil and light shade.