Clivia Society

Australian Members

Dear Plant Enthusiast,

Thank you for your interest in Clivia.

For some time now I have been collecting and breeding different forms of Clivia. The types vary from the "common" Clivia miniata that is seen in gardens to the broad leaf hybrid forms that have been grown from imported seed. The variation in flower form and colour is greatest in Clivia miniata.

The pendulous flowered species are less common. The early garden form, C. x cyrtanthiflora, is seen in older gardens. The plant we know as C. nobilis in Australia is unlike the described species and is possibly of hybrid origin. Hybridising between Clivia miniata and the other pendulous flowered species, C. gardenii, C. caulescens, C. nobilis and C. robusta is aimed at improving the flower display. A fifth species, C. mirabilis was discovered in 2002. The sixth species, Clivia robusta, was described in 2004. Most recently a naturally occuring hybrid, C. x nimbicola has been described.

Interest in Clivia has always been high, as they are excellent plants for shady gardens. The increase in coverage of the elusive yellow flowered form of C. miniata has renewed the interest in these plants over the last decade. Whenever Clivia are featured on the gardening shows on television, the word goes out "where do I get one of the newer colours?"

In 1992, Mr Nick Primich formed the Clivia Club in South Africa. The club became the Clivia Society in 2001. It was Nick's aim to bring together all those who were interested in the genus Clivia. The Club is truly international and boasts members in South Africa, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, USA, England and Europe. The main contact is via a newsletter, published four times annually. Conferences are held every tour years; the first in 1994, then 1998, 2002, and 2006. Whilst we don't have the membership in Australia sufficient to hold meetings, membership is steadily growing. Several small "shows" have been organised by members in their own state. I can also put members into contact with similar societies in Toowoomba and Perth.

Subscription to the Clivia Society per annum is $35 (Australian). The subscription year is Jan to Dec. I act as the Australian Contact Person, which means that I basically do a mail out at the end of the year and collect subscription money by end of January. This allows me to send over one payment for the renewing or new members, which saves the Society and the members paying bank fees.

For those people with more than a passing interest in Clivias, membership to the Clivia Society gives you access to detailed information on history, new cultivars, cultivation and hybridising tips. There is also the opportunity to correspond with other growers and collectors. Seed and plant sales can be organised.

Again, thank you for your interest. I trust that you are able to start the enjoyable hobby of growing Clivia.

Yours sincerely,
Ken Smith

If you wish to join the Clivia Society, please click on the "Subscriptions" link.