A Long Awaited For Plant

Several years ago I happened to see a photo of a blooming yellow clivia so I researched it. Found a nursery in the northeast that sold this plant for $100.00 and I am sure it was a very small plant that probably wouldn't bloom for a couple of years. I have to say I was tempted to bite the dust more than once and order it. I had learned that they were indeed very rare which accounts for the high price. These are more commonly seen in an orange color.

Well a couple of years ago I was visiting a nursery just south of where I live and I walked passed this blooming yellow clivia. I asked the clerk how much it was and she told me $35.00 and it was a large plant too. Wellllllllll, I don't have to tell you, I immediately said very loudly, "SOLD". I was in a state of shock and wanted to make sure I had heard her right and after she sold it to me I told her the story of trying to find this plant and how much another nursery was selling it for. I have to say, these kinds of things never happen to me. Usually I would charge forward and buy the more expensive plant and then come upon the same plant later for a less expensive price. That's just my luck, sadly.

This is now the second time it has bloomed and I wanted to share it with you.

 

 

 

The good news is that each time it blooms it puts up these seeds at the base of the bloom like an amaryllis would. The first time I really didn't know what to do with them and gave them to some friends in my garden circle. The last time it bloomed I let them dry out and found that there were two separate seeds in each one. This is now the third time it has bloomed since I have had it, isn't it gorgeous? I usually keep it outside unless it is cold or is blooming and this time I brought it in and placed it on my husband's desk in his office in this Italian pot. The seeds from the last bloom period I plan to plant them in peat pots and see what kind of luck I have. I think they would make an excellent hostess gift when going to a dinner party. Even if it is not blooming I can attach a photo of the bloom. BTW, it requires very little care.

 

If you ever come across one and want some information on them I found this:

 

http://www.shieldsgardens.com/info/CliviaCare.html

 

 

There is a morale to this story, I should not be so quick to purchase things that I might could find at a lesser expensive price. One day I will learn.

 

Enjoy your weekend.