Clivia: ' Basic -Training' of the Leaf Fan
Some questions from a first time grower: ......
How would you go about preparing a Clivia miniata for a plant show, and to maximize the beauty, and structure of the plant itself, especially the leaves?
For example, is there a method of growing/training to keep the fan of leaves symmetrical and centered in the container? I would like to keep the leaves on my plant as short and compact as possible, and I was wondering if high light levels will keep leaves short, thick,and rigid. I dislike sprawling, weak-leaved, leggy Clivias that almost look like spider-plants on steroids.
How do you keep new leaves growing/stacked one on top of each other as the fan matures and naturally adds more leaves?
What does a Clivia miniata look like, say after 15-20 years? Will the fan of leaves elongate, looking almost like a mini "palm tree" as the old leave die and are replaced by new leaves, ... or do the plants stay as short as they were when young, but just keep getting longer and longer leaves? Does the original plant die after producing offsets?
These may seem like silly questions, especially for the long time growers of these plants, but none of the sites which give information on growing Clivia, mention anything about plant grooming tricks, and/or plant maintenance.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.