EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chairman: Chris Vlok, PO Box 99583, Garsfontein 0060, Tel H +27 12998 5942, e-mail: [email protected] Secretary: Lena van der Merwe, PO Box 74868, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040, Tel & Fax +27 12 804 8892, e-mail: [email protected] Vice-Chairman: John van der Linde, 1 Wheelan Str., Newlands, 7700 Tel & Fax +27 21 671 4535. e-mail: [email protected] Treasurer: Bossie de Kock, PO Box 38539, Garsfontein, 0042, Tel +27 12 998 3620, e-mail: [email protected] Office Bearer: Ken Smith, 593 Hawkesbury Rd., Winmalee, NSW 2777, Australia. Tel +61 2 47543287. E- mail: [email protected]

REPRESENTATIVES OF CONSTITUENT CLIVIA CLUBS Cape: Mick Dower, Ian Brown, Gert Wiese Eastern Province:Willie le Roux, Charl Coetzee Northern: Lena van der Merwe, Glynn Middlewick, Bossie de Kock KwaZulu-Natal: Sean Chubb

REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS MEMBERS Keith Hammett. 488C Don Buck Rd, Massey, Auckland 8, New Zealand. Tel +64 9 833-9453. E-mail: [email protected] Michael Morri, P.O. Box 192, Union City, Michigan 49094 USA. Direct enquiries to Michael at either tel. (517) 741-4769 or E-mail: [email protected] Ken Smith. 593 Hawkesbury Rd., Winmalee, NSW 2777, Australia. Tel +61 2 47543287. E-mail: [email protected] Aart van Voorst. Frederick Hendriklaan 49, Hillegom, TE 2181, Netherlands. Tel: +31 252529679; email: [email protected]

OTHER OVERSEAS CONTACT PERSONS FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Michael Jeans. Hugletts Farm, Hugletts Lane, Heathfield, E. Sussex TN 21 9 BY. Tel +44 143 5 862 318. E-mail: [email protected].

(Continued on inside back cover) Contents

CLIVIA SOCIETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Inside front cover EDITORIAL – Meg Hart 2 FROM THE CHAIRMAN – Chris Vlok 3 CLIVIA 2006 – Roger Dixon 4 STORIES BEHIND THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHS – John van der Linde 7 CORRESPONDENCE 11 A Clivia called Oprah? – Cobus Roos 11 Notes on photographing clivia – Hannes van Rooyen 12 Squirrels in the Clivia - Anonymous 16 FROM THE CLIVIA ENTHUSIAST E-MAIL GROUP 19 Virus symptoms and particles – Keith Hammett 19 INTERNET CLIVIA CHAT – Denise Wilshire 22 PERSONALITY PROFILE – SIR PETER SMITHERS – John van der Linde 24 GARDEN ROUTE/TUINROETE INTEREST GROUP – Gerrie Brits 26 FOR SALE 26 BEGINNER’S LUCK – FLOWER STRUCTURE – Jim Shields 28 ON THE COMPOST HEAP – Meg Hart 28

Views expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the Committee and the Clivia Society.

1 Editorial Here we are in 2004 and planning for named after the famous American tel- the 4th International Clivia Conference evision personality, Oprah Winfrey. in South is under way. Many suggestions have been Hopefully this will give overseas visi- received and much discussion will tors sufficient time to organize their have to be done before a decision can schedules for September 2006 and to be taken. save for their fares and expenses. Hannes van Rooyen provides his Judging from the quality of the expertise as a photographer in an arti- on shows in recent years it would be cle on photographing clivia. After well worth the while for any clivia fan reading this one looks at the pictures coming to see our superb clivia and in the Newsletters and the Yearbooks our beautiful country. We look forward in a different light. On a lighter note an to seeing old and new faces of clivia anonymous person writes of an ingen- enthusiasts for this occasion. ious way of scaring off squirrels which John van der Linde continues to caused chaos in his clivia seed boxes. research interesting stories behind the If readers have wondered what those cover photographs. Getting some paler coloured stripes and spots are people to submit their stories is not as on the leaves of clivia, they are proba- simple as it looks. Remember that bly due to viruses. Jim Shields won- some growers and exhibitors have dered what viruses were causing hundreds of plants and to get them to streaks on some of his clivia and Keith remember exactly which one is depict- Hammett describes the trouble he ed is not at all easy. The names of went to to discover what viruses were famous growers like Les Hannibal. present on plants imported into New Gordon McNeil, Bill Morris, Sir Peter Zealand. Denise Wilshire makes her Smithers, Dr. Hariao, Yoshikazu debut and writes about the activities of Nakamura are reflected in the plants the ‘chat group’ and her experiences they have bred. One thing the Editor on Internet communication. has learnt in her 10 years of member- ship that I good plants or seeds should John van der Linde has temporarily be sought at an early stage in one’s run out of people to discuss in his collection. Later one discards the series ‘Early names associated with ‘ordinary’ clivia in favour of ‘good culti- clivia’, so as C. miniata x kewensis vars’. If only one followed this advice ‘Vico Yellow’ is depicted on the back at the start! However, when establish- cover of this newsletter he has chosen ing a large clivia garden one initially a ‘Personality Profile’ on Sir Peter looks for quantity rather quality. Smithers. An interesting idea has come from We now enter the thirteenth year of Jane Raphaely (Editor of The Oprah the Clivia Society and hope it goes Winfrey Magazine in ) that from strength to strength. the Clivia Society selects a clivia to be Editor. 2 From the chariman The following points may be of inter- graphs of their annual show for pub- est to members: lishing on the website. Annual General Meeting: The Clivia Research: The Society has KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club will host decided to financially support a the Annual General Meeting. The research proposal submitted by Prof meeting is scheduled for Saturday 5 W Swart of the Free State University. June at the National Botanical The study will focus on disease-caus- Gardens in Pietermaritzburg. It coin- ing organisms associated with Clivia cides with a Clivia gardenii exhibition species in South Africa and their con- organised by the host club. Clivia trol. enthusiasts (our overseas members) Membership Lists and Results of are reminded that 5 April is the last 2003 Shows: Combined international date to nominate persons to represent and South African membership lists as this group of members on the Clivia well as a list containing the results of Society. Detailed information has the various Clivia shows held in South been posted. Please contact the Africa during 2003 were posted to Clivia Society secretary should you Club secretaries and representatives have any questions. during December 2003. Please Public Relations: Cobus Roos approach your secretary or represen- (Pretoria) has been appointed as tative should you require these lists – Public Relations Officer of the Clivia if required in electronic format, it is Society. Cobus can be contacted at free of charge. +27 72 272 3328. His e-mail address Clivia mirabilis: John Winter reported is [email protected]. Cobus to the Clivia Society that Clivia will be assisted by Denise Wilshire mirabilis seedlings would not be ready (Johannesburg) and Colin Wood for marketing before the end of 2004. (Australia). The primary duties of He also reported that the National Denise and Colin will be to represent Botanical Institute (NBI) has sought the Clivia Society on the Yahoo Chat the approval of the Northern Cape group. Department of Nature Conservation Society website: The address of the for the detailed marketing arrange- Clivia Society website is www.cliviaso- ments proposed by the NBI. The NBI ciety.org. Clubs/Interest Groups are has subsequently been advised that invited to make use of this facility. no instructions will be given before the Please appoint a person to liaise with middle of 2004. When approval is Cobus Roos regarding Club news to received, seedlings will be offered for be put on the web. We also need a sale via the NBI website. John Winter contact person in each club who will has undertaken to forward the infor- take the responsibility to post photo- mation to the Clivia Society as soon 3 as it is published on the NBI’s website. 11 September: Annual Clivia Show – 2004 Shows Northern KwaZulu-Natal 11 September: Annual 5 June: Gardenii exhibition - KwaZulu- Show/Exhibition – Free State Interest Natal Clivia Club Group 12 June: Mini Interspecific Show – 18 September: Mini show at Kloof - Northern Clivia Club KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club 29 May: Gardenii Exhibition – New 18 & 19 September: Annual Show – Zealand Clivia Club Metro Interest Group 17 July: Waterberg Boslelieklub 18 & 19 September: Annual Show – 24 July: Mini Interspecific Show – Cape Clivia Club Eastern Province Clivia Club 25 & 26 September: Annual Show – 28 August: Annual Exhibition/Show – Eastern Province Clivia Club Waterberg Boslelieklub 2 & 3 October: Annual Show –Garden 4 & 5 September: Annual Show – Route Clivia Interest Group Northern Clivia Club 9 & 10 October: Annual Exhibition - 4 & 5 OR 11 & 12 September: Annual New Zealand Clivia Club show - KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club Clivia greetings, 10, 11 & 12 September: Annual Chris Vlok Show/Exhibition – Soutpansberg Interest Group Clivia 2006

4TH INTERNATIONAL CLIVIA CONFERENCE Clivia and the strides that we have made in its ennoblement and PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA popularisation. A magnificent show 5TH & 6TH SEPTEMBER 2006 will accompany and complement the conference, which will be addressed On behalf of the Clivia Society and the by speakers from all over the Clivia Northern Clivia Club, we would like to world. welcome you to experience the world of the Clivia and meet with other Clivia Three major themes have been identi- enthusiasts in September 2006 at the fied for this conference: th 4 International Clivia Conference. Which way for Clivia future perspec- This will be the highlight of our botani- tives: what do we need to do? cal calendar and a showcase for developments in our knowledge of the Recording Clivia: the why, the what & 4 the how Nature’s gift: diversity, habitat habitats in South Africa as well as vis- & evolution. its to as many regional shows as pos- sible in the areas. For many, time is In addition to invited keynote speak- limited so we have tried to compress ers, prospective speakers are invited activities into the minimum period. to submit a brief summary of their pro- The conference is timed for the nor- posed presentation so that the prelim- mal flowering period of C. miniata, inary program can be drawn up. which starts in the north, followed by Abstracts will be invited and the dead- the east and then the south coast line for their submission will be (from west to east). This has deter- December 2005, with notification of mined the timing of the regional shows acceptance by 28 February 2006. so we have planned the habitat tours The full paper to be published in the in between them. The show and tour conference proceedings must be program covers most of South Africa’s received by 30 May 2006. Only scenic and botanic areas and is papers received by this date will be planned to be unforgettable. This pro- included in the conference proceed- gram is provisional and may change ings. as planning progresses. SHOW Mon Aug 28 – Fri Sep 1. A tour from In conjunction with the conference, the Cape Town up the West Coast, enjoy- National Clivia Show will be held as a ing the spring wildflowers of showcase of the Clivia Growers art Namaqualand, including the bulbs and where the very best of Clivia will be on culminating in C. mirabilis country. display. In addition to the many plants Sat Sep 2 – Sun 3. At leisure and on show, top growers will offer a wide transfer to Pretoria. variety of plants for sale. Start now to prepare your plants! Mon Sep 4. At leisure **. Tue Sep 5 – Wed 6. Conference. AUCTION Registration will be on Tuesday morn- An auction is planned as one of the ing. The conference dinner will be held highlights of Clivia 2006 where a on the Tuesday evening and there will selection of the best available be a social program for the will be up for grabs. Closer to the Wednesday evening. time, all the accepted plants will be Thu Sep 7. At leisure **. illustrated on the website as the cata- logue is finalised. Fri Sep 8 – Sun Sep 10. Pretoria Clivia Show, with a highlight being the 2006 Conference, Shows & Tours auction on Friday evening of selected Program clivias from around the world. A number of pre- and post-conference Sat Sep 9 – Sun Sep 10. At leisure tours have been planned to take the **. Clivia enthusiast around all the Clivia 5 Mon Sep 11 – Thu Sep 14. Tour to ised evening social and 1 to 2 day tour the scenic eastern escarpment to see events, including visiting clivia collec- C. caulescens habitats as well as the tions. renowned McNeil collection. Accommodation will be available in Fri Sep 15. At leisure ** and transfer the homes of local enthusiasts or in to the next clivia show. B&Bs and hotels. We anticipate a keen interest in the proposed pro- Sat Sep 16 – Sun Sep17. Visit the gram, so if you are interested in partic- Clivia Shows in Pietermaritzburg, ipating please contact the Conference Johannesburg or George. Secretary. This will help us with plan- Sun Sep 17. At leisure ** or transfer ning. Full details with costs will be to Pietermaritzburg. made available in due course. Mon Sep 18 – Tue Sep 19. Day tours Roger Dixon. to C. miniata and C. gardenii (includ- Contact Details ing Swamp) habitats. For further information or to have your Wed Sep 20 – Thu 21. Transfer (air) name added to the mailing list for to the Eastern Cape followed by 1½ Clivia 2006, please contact the days of C. nobilis habitat tours. Conference Secretary and provide the Fri Sep 22. Transfer to Cape Town by following information: car or bus via the coastal Garden Route. Name, postal address, email address, Sat Sep 23 – Sun Sep 24. Cape area of interest or participation (con- Town Clivia Show. ference attendance, tour(s), etc.) Sun Sep 24 – Fri 29. At leisure ** or Clivia 2006 transfer to Port Elizabeth. P O Box 74868 Sat Sep 30 – Sun Oct 1. Port Lynnwood Ridge Elizabeth Clivia Show. 0040 At Leisure **. Delegates will be wel- South Africa come to make their own arrangements Fax: +27 8048892 or to participate in a variety of organ- Email: [email protected] Website:www.cliviasociety.org

6 Stories behind the cover photographs Photo No. 1 – Front cover of the original crosses were done using Gordon McNeil’s ‘Citrinus’, who Ian Brown has provided the following sent the to Les Hannibal, a dear information: and elderly friend who lived in This three-year-old plant was placed Sacramento. Other clones were as second in the ‘own breeding’ category follows: of the Cape Clivia Club Show in 2002. Hummels Hybrid – an early poor yel- It comes from a cross of an orange low from Southern California. plant grown from seed from Michael Willetts in California and a yellow plant Seedlings from Willi Olivier who lived bred by Bill Morris. Their histories are near Betty’s Bay. These were all similar in some ways. orange, with F2’s yellow. In 1994 a Rotary exchange student Vico Yellow, which came originally from Cape Town stayed with the from Sir Peter Smithers. Willetts while in the USA. Michael had Kewensis type from Edinburgh met me a year previously when he Botanical Gardens. was in Cape Town, and sent me back some clivia seed with the student. He An additional Kewensis type from described the seeds as “having Australia – I was told that the seeds tetraploidal parents”. Two seeds were stolen from Kew many years thrived and produced the most vigor- ago, presumably by a visitor. ous plants I’ve known. One was Var. ‘Aurea’ – from a western Australia judged the best orange in the 1998 cross.” Cape Show. It is shown in the 1998 Yearbook (photo 51). The flowers are In 1999 I pollinated the two plants with large with wide petals and a touch of pollen from a yellow plant I’d acquired green in the centre. from Fred Gibello. One plant pro- duced about a third yellow seedlings I crossed seed from these two plants and the other none. The yellow plant and was surprised when two out of the had been grown by Fred from seed large batch had unpigmented bases. I from Bill Morris. This plant has very queried this with Michael and got the large flowers with wide petals. Its pho- following details regarding their breed- tograph appeared on the cover of the ing: winter newsletter in 2003 and its full “All of our plants are always crossed history is given in that publication. It’s with our better yellows, so the result- interesting to note the similar back- ant offspring will produce a certain grounds of this plant and the orange number of yellows. Our yellows origi- one from Michael Willetts. Bill Morris’ nated from a number of clones. Many plant also originates from a yellow from Les Hannibal bred from “a wild 7 collected yellow sent to him by nal Clivia Club founded by Nick Gordon McNeil”. Further information Primich way back in 1992 and is given by Bill Morris in the article on swapped their seeds – John van der page 21 of the 2003 winter newsletter. Linde

Both plants used in my cross have Photo No. 2 good broad leaves of about 70mm and large well-shaped flowers with Chris Vlok sent us this picture of broad petals. Since 1999 I’ve repeat- Pikkie Strumpher’s ‘Rumplestiltskin’. ed the crossing and one plant always Pikkie is today a very experienced produces about one-third yellow clivia breeder in Pretoria and a regular seedlings. A few flowered in 2002 and prizewinner at NCC shows. The origin looked promising. In 2003 a few more of this plant dates back to the early flowered and the results were spec- days when he first became interested tacular. The flower on one yellow was in clivias, when he, like so many oth- 105mm across with petals 40mm ers, was dead keen on yellows, to the broad. Mike Jeans in had a exclusion of other plants. very good flower on the yellow seedling I’d sent him and Ian Vermaak His very first plant was a Jim Holmes in George reported green in the centre yellow, soon followed by another yel- of the yellow plant he’d been given. low from Anna Meyer’s nursery in An orange flower from the same batch Pretoria. When these plants flowered also had some green in the flower. Pikkie put pollen from the Meyer plant on to his Holmes yellow. He eventual- The plants grow rapidly and the par- ly harvested and planted the seeds, ents sucker well. I’m now eagerly hoping to raise a crop of yellow looking forward to this year’s flower- seedlings for sale to recoup his invest- ing. This cross and others have con- ment. To his disappointment, many of vinced me that the best yellow flower- the seedlings had pigmented stems, ing plants come from plants bred from so when potting-up time came, they strong orange flowers with recessive were promptly composted! In due yellow and not necessarily from cross- course he sold most of the remaining ing two true-bred yellows”. seedlings – all with unpigmented The names mentioned above - Mike stems – as yellows, keeping only a Willetts and Les Hannibal (USA), Sir few because, by now, with his collec- Peter Smithers (), Fred tion growing, space was becoming a Gibello and Willie Olivier (South problem. (This is a familiar story so Africa), and Bill Morris (Australia) – far, isn’t it?) may bring back memories. Some of Eventually the plants he kept flow- them were among the earliest mem- ered, all were yellows except one, bers of the very first international which was different. It had some light group of Clivia lovers (many of them orange on the outside of the petals, keen breeders of all kinds of bulbous which otherwise were cream, just like flowering plants), who joined the origi- 8 the inside of the flower, which howev- gives a detailed description on pages er had a small much darker throat. 252 to 254 of his book ‘Clivias’. ‘Vico Next thing, the throat had lightened Yellow’ is such a well-known name and a lovely light orange flush devel- that it’s story is worth repeating briefly, oped towards the tips of the petals, as with a few comments: pictured in the photo. As you can see, In November 1970 Sir Peter, at his the petals are nicely rounded and home in Vico Morcote, Switzerland, have a good overlap. The flowers are acquired a ‘Kewensis Cream’ pale yel- 7 to 8 cms across. low clivia, and two orange clones from ‘Rumplestiltskin’ was placed first in the the same ‘Kewensis’ group. These ‘Any other colour’ category at the plants had been bred at Kew, 2002 Metro Show. Pikkie then selfed England, in the process of selecting it, but the plant proved self-sterile. So, back to recover a lost South African in 2003 he backcrossed it to the moth- yellow. When they flowered he polli- er plant, the Holmes yellow. He would nated the two oranges with pollen also have liked to cross it back to the from his yellow. Seeds were set, har- pollen parent, the yellow from Anna vested and planted out. Some of the Meyer, but he had sold that, long seedlings were discarded under the before ‘Rumplestiltskin’ had flowered, greenhouse stage. One grew on there when he was still focused on yellows, and subsequently flowered, a yellow because he wasn’t happy with the pig- which seemed to be an improvement mented stem seedlings it bred. He on ‘Kewensis Cream’. He rescued it, had in fact also wanted to get rid of the potted it, and in due course sent off an Holmes yellow, for the same reason, offset to his friend Dr Hirao in Japan. but had kept it for old times sake, as it Dr Hirao died and Mr. Y Nakamura of was his very first yellow. the ‘Clivia Breeding Plantation’ Will Pikkie be keeping all the acquired his collection and amongst seedlings from this latest cross of his? the plants was the ‘Vico Yellow’. Mr. I understand Rumplestiltskin was a lit- Nakamura described it as the “world’s tle man in a fairy tale who turned straw best clivia, the one to beat”. This was into gold. Will he again work his back in the mid 1980s. Subsequently magic this time? C. miniata x kewensis ‘Vico Yellow’ was registered in Japan and micro- Photo No. 3 propagated by Miyoshi and Co. for This is a picture of the original ‘Vico mass distribution. As Harold Yellow’, bred by Sir Peter Smithers, an Koopowitz says, “This clone has been early member of the old Clivia Club, so widely distributed all over the world who is the subject of our ‘Personality that we can expect it to play an impor- Profile’ in this issue. The story of it’s tant role in the future breeding of yel- breeding was told by Sir Peter in his low clivias.” article on page 13 of Clivia 2, pub- Mr. Nakamura used his offset from the lished in 2000. Harold Koopowitz original ‘Vico’ plant in his breeding 9 programme because of it’s special Photo No. 4 genetic qualities (See ‘Clivias in Chris Viljoen has been growing clivias Japan’ by Shigetaka Sasaki in Clivia since 1991, though he only joined the 3): ‘Vico Yellow’ hybrids produce large Northern Clivia Club in 1996. During flowers with good forms and with well- that period he accumulated over 40 reflexed petals, though the plants tend 000 plants, which he grows under net- to be a bit large for Japanese tastes. ting at his home in Waverley, Pretoria. He says that ‘Vico Yellow’ pollen is He has yellows but specializes in very fertile and produces a good seed oranges, pinks and other pastel set. Because each seed tends to be colours. He says he is always on the large the total seed crop may be lookout for plants with green throats small. “When you use ‘Vico Yellow’ and other ‘oddities’, which he selects pollen only once (e.g., (orange x yel- when he sees his plants in flower. low) x Vico Yellow) it is possible to get a high percentage of good flowers with He entered the plant seen in the pho- twice the size of the usual C. miniata tograph from his vast collection in the and also with good rolled and waved 2002 NCC show, where it was placed petals”. first in the section for pinks (one umbel). It is similar to the well-known Are the tissue-cultured plants avail- ‘Ella van Zijl’ - though paler and with a able today any different from the orig- different-shaped and smaller umbel - inal? I am told that the process of in that it also has a lovely dusty sheen micro-propagation can lead to some to its well-shaped petals. Petals, genetic mutation, though the effects which ‘sparkle’ as much as this, seem may not be visible. What can possibly to be quite a rare feature in clivias. In also have an effect is the selection of the case of ‘Ella’ the sparkling sheen plants for growing on, out of the many does not appear to be inherited by its plantlets produced. For example, offspring. It will be interesting to see maybe only the stronger-growing ones Chris’s results from breeding with this are chosen. Maybe readers who plant. know about the subject can tell us more? Coincidentally, Chris has a very simi- lar pink-, which was Do such differences, if any, make featured on the front cover of the ‘Vico Yellow’ meristems any less suit- Autumn 2003 Newsletter. The two able for use in a breeding pro- plants are totally unrelated. gramme? There are today many superb plants with ‘Vico Yellow’ – Photo No. 5 whether original or micro-cultured – in their backgrounds, which I would con- Tino Ferero tells us about this beauty sider to be improvements on the origi- of his: nal. What do you think? The variegated broad leaf with flower pictured here was the class and sec- tion winner in ‘class 16B’ at the NCC 10 show in September 2002. Some of which to choose, and I managed the florets are multipetal and the num- eventually to pick two real beauties. ber of multipetals varies from year to Both have already flowered three year. times for me. While visiting Dr. Bing Wiese about When Shigetaka Sasaki from Japan five years ago, I was admiring some of visited me in 2002, he was also very his daruma-type variegateds with very impressed by the two plants and attractive striations on the leaves. remarked that they should do well for They were by then about four years me in my breeding programme. They old, and had not flowered yet. He do not self very well, but I have for the explained that they had been grown last two years been pollinating them from seed imported by the Clivia Club with pollen from other multipetal varie- from Mr. Yoshi Nakamura. He also gated darumas in my collection. Good went on to tell me that he was not real- heads of seed have set and some of ly interested in the variegateds and the seedlings already look promising. then asked me whether I would like In closing I would like to report that in some of them. When I replied that I the past Dr. Bing Wiese was not really would love to have some, he said that interested in the variegateds and usu- I could choose any two of them. When ally gave away all the variegateds that I asked him what he was going to spontaneously grew from his own charge me he said that they were a lines. This has now changed, and he present that he was giving me. I was has become interested in the variegat- humbly grateful for his very kind ges- eds. At present he has a very attrac- ture. tive collection. It was a difficult choice. There were John van der Linde. about 10 very beautiful plants from

Correspondence

A Clivia called ‘Oprah’? we have decided that the most appro- Dear John Winter priate way to celebrate that here is to name a new strain of one of South Further to our telephone conversation Africa’s most beautiful flowers after today I have pleasure in confirming her. We are unanimous that this the details of our query. Associated should be a clivia. We wondered Magazines publishes: The Oprah whether any of the members of The Winfrey Magazine in South Africa. Clivia Society might have a suitable Oprah Winfrey has just turned 50 and new strain which they would like to 11 have used in this way? strain developed from it will then be referred to as the ‘Oprah strain’. The We will publicise this in the magazine owner must be willing to donate an off- and though we are not sure whether set/sucker of the plant, which will be US regulations will permit us to send presented to Oprah Winfrey. The her any plants, or whether they would name will be registered with Ken grow in Santa Monica which is where Smith, the Registrar of Clivia Names she lives when she is not working, we for the Society. would be able to send her photo- graphs. Perhaps Kirstenbosch would Anyone interested can submit their be prepared to have some of them in photos to [email protected], their nursery garden. or post it to Clivia Society PRO, P O Box 276, Rayton, 1001. It is request- We would be very grateful to have fur- ed that you also furnish us with some ther input from you and your members detail regarding the plant’s origin, as and please come back to me if you well as its features such as leaf width need further information. & length etc. Best Wishes, A selection process will determine Jane Raphaely which plant will carry the name Editor in Chief: The Oprah Winfrey ‘Oprah’. Please get your submissions Magazine in as early as possible. CEO Associated Magazines. Cobus Roos PRO Clivia Society Reply from the Clivia Society Public Notes on photographing Clivia Relations Officer Prologue This has created a great opportunity in Michael Jeans has written a very good three main respects. article on photography in Clivia 3, as 1. To promote clivia globally also James Comstock in the Autumn 2. To honour one of the great philan- 1999 Newsletter (Vol. 8, No. 1 page thropists of our time 5). I recommend that you refer to them again to comply with their pub- 3. Give international recognition to the lishing needs. plant/strain chosen. In this attempt I hope to help you ‘how We call on our members to submit, via to D.I.Y’. and apply basic principles to photographs, plants that they have produce photos for your joy and for which could be used in this manner. It possible publication. is not necessary that a strain already exists, but a strain should be devel- 1 Camera oped from the initial mother plant in 1.1 Both film and digital cameras are due course. The mother plant will suitble. Digital units have the advan- obviously be called ‘Oprah’, and the tage of correcting unwanted details 12 through computer program- very expensive. When two or three mes. (2002 Vol. 11 No. 3). flashes are used a flash meter is 1.2 A ‘zoom’ lens is very valuable to required to determine light values at help you fill your negative/frame the subject. From these readings, the with sub- ject matter. camera is then set for correct expo- 1.3 Studio lighting (any other will also sure. do), or built-in flash can be used when By using backlighting which is not vis- natural light is inadequate. ible in the shot, amazing effects can be achieved. A ‘small’ flash is very suitable for this purpose – long flash 2 Equipment release cables can be used but one is 2.1 A tripod is essential when the inclined to trip over them. Flashes zoom is used because it stabilises the with slave units (automatic triggering) shot to give needle sharp photos are very useful. It is still best to use which are so necessary for reproduc- diffusers in front of the flashes to tion. reduce harshness of light. 2.2 When using lighting, flash or alter- 2.5 Polarising filters. Experience of native, it is advisable to use ‘bounce’, flower shots over many years has diffused or reflected light to soften the shown that flowers have a ‘sheen’ shadows. Modern flash units have which reflects light to such an extent blades that may be adjusted for that the results on film and digital bounce flash. Round white car heat show as white patches on the peri- reflected placed in the windshield are anths (petals) and leaves, and a loss excellent aids for reflected light, not of colour (See Clivia Four, page 46, the shining ones. They may be hung photograph nos. 69 & 71; Clivia Five, on an extra lightweight tripod. page 55, photograph nos. 69, 70 & 2.3 Studio lighting (tungsten or mercu- 72). By using polarizing filters in front ry vapour) give a red/orange cast on of film and digital cameras the sheen the film. This can be eliminated by is removed and the correct colours using a tungsten filter, light blue in and detail revealed. There are two colour, fitted to the front of the lens. types of polarizing filters: Fluorescent tubes give a green cast 2.5.1 ‘Linear’ type as used on older on the film and may be corrected by a cameras which do not auto focus. You pale pink/orange filter. rotate the filters until glare is removed 2.4 Generally flash is inclined to give and then shoot. You may also need to very hard shadows in photographs. compensate by slower shutter of Bounce flash or a diffuser may soften longer aperture due to loss of light. this. The advantage of flash is that it 2.5.2 ‘Circular’-type used on auto gives true colour corrections on film. focus and digital cameras – they do Newer types of flashes automatically not need adjustment but still remove read camera/subject distance, light the glare. Often salesmen of digital value and expose correctly according cameras may tell you that a ‘polarizing to camera settings, however they are 13 filter’ is built in, but it is not effective – shadows disappear. do trials and experiment if it is effec- 3.3 Photographing Clivias in the wild tive. can be a problem. Other plants create that unwanted disturbing background. 3 Set-up A cloth with dowel across the top and A brick wall with mortar joints, or wood suspended by strings may serve the paneling, or other plants can be very purpose as backdrop. Try to eliminate disturbing backgrounds. See Clivia the folds in the cloth. Four, page 28, photo. 30). 4 Important points 3.1 By having coloured paper to place behind the subject matter, such distur- You need to decide ‘what’ you want to bances would be eliminated. It is photograph: strange how such detail can distract 4.1 A single flower or perianth - ± use one’s attention from the subject, and ƒ4.5 – ƒ5.6 let one’s eyes wander about. The 4.2 The whole umbel - ± use ƒ8 – ƒ11 paper can be stiffened by a dowel 4.3 The whole plant - ± use ƒ11 – ƒ22 across the top, and supported by a 4.3.1 Take care not to crop-off (cut off light tripod – it now becomes the ‘backdrop’. Use a contrasting colour to that of the umbel, leaves or berries (see 5.2). Coloured paper/boards may be obtained from artist supply shops or photographic dealers. 3.2 It is important to eliminate hard shadows on the backdrop by using dif- fused secondary lighting or flashes, or by using reflectors with natural light to soften shadows and bring out details of the subject. Alternatively move the subject away from the backdrop until

14 with the frame of the camera) part of greater D.O.F. and fills the frame far the subject (see Clivia Five, page 88, easier than ‘close-up’ lenses. Try your photos. 131 & 132, page 108; page zoom and see what good results you 108, photo 152). get. 4.4 Select a suitable contrasting back- drop (see 5.2). 5 Remarks 4.5 Decide on lighting: Modern auto focus cameras are all 4.5.1 Natural with reflectors to soften programmed to shoot at the ƒ5.6. You shadows and highlight detail. may need to go into ‘manual’ mode to 4.5.2 Flash or studio-type lighting with select your aperture of choice. diffusers or brollies (reflectors). 4.6 When photographing a single 5.1 When you preselect your working flower (perianth) a large aperture aperture, the camera meters the light seems to enhance the isolation and and sets the shutter speed for correct often gives a ‘3-D’ effect. Focusing is exposure. The camera automatically very critical at this stage, and should compensates for ‘polarizing filters’. focus on the stamens. 5.2 Compare the following shots from 4.6.1 Depth of field (D.O.F.) is the your ‘Clivia Five’ yearbook to under- focus ability of the lens to render the stand the principles outlined above, subject sharp in focus, in direct rela- and see which shots you like best. tion to the ƒ stop (or lens opening). A The whole exercise is intended as a ƒ3.5 or lower aperture has a very shal- learning experience and not criticism low depth of sharp focus field e.g. of the photos present. 5.2.1 Page 8 No. 7 – light grey back- photo of a single flower: focus on sta- ground, lovely shot mens and the front and back rim of the 5.2.2 Page 12 No. 13 – used a large flower may be out of focus. A small aperture to throw the background out ƒ11, 16, 22 may give everything sharp of focus in focus from 1cm in front of the cam- 5.2.3 Page 22 No. 21 - the light blue era to ±100¼ which is the principle of background enhances the orange point and shoot cameras. umbel. 4.6.2 Shutter speeds vary with the Page 22 No. 20 & page 77 No. 119 – lens opening and available light: the light blue background does not Large apertures may have fast shut- seem to let the plants stand out. ter speeds and shallow D.O.F. Compare these with Page 40 No. 33 – Small apertures may have slow shut- medium blue backdrop which seems ter speeds and great D.O.F. to enhance the yellow blooms. 4.6.3 ‘Close-up’ shots: There are very 5.2.4 Page 25 Nos. 24 & 25 – the dark expensive ‘close-focus’ lenses but backdrop shows up the umbels beau- experience has taught that they do not tifully. give good results. They reduce the 5.2.5 Page 25 No. 35 – Almost in 3-D D.O.F. to almost flat-type work. It was effect, shadows on the backdrop indi- found that the ‘zoom’ lens moved cate that the plant was too close to the ±2cm from the subject and then backdrop, and this usually happens in ‘zoomed-in’ to fill the frame gives cramped show conditions which can- 15 not be helped. Squirrels in the Clivia 5.6.6 Pages 40 & 41 Nos. 32, 33, 36 – Some time ago the issue of squirrels various backdrops which enhance the in the garden and specifically in the flowers. 5.6.7 Page 46, No. 41 – Good photo of Clivia was raised in this Newsletter. a winner plant with no cut-off leaves or Well, we have a serious problem with flowers and a good choice of back- legions of squirrels descending from drop. the lofty heights onto our house and 5.6.8 Page 48, No. 44 – Lovely shot of into the garden. Every seed box with ‘Lovely Rita’, with another backdrop young Clivia and other seedlings was much of the detail could have been dug up and the plants buried or left lost. outside to die. All the big pots were 5.6.9 Page 49, No. 49 – To me the replanted with pecan nuts. The young umbel has been cropped too severely, nuts were tasted in bunches and but this may have been done by the strewn everywhere. Hundreds of the editors young brown figs were picked, tasted 5.6.10 Page 105, No. 152 – Here the and dropped. berries are cut off at the top and the We tried almost everything – covering background is very disturbing. A the trays with thorn branches; tying smaller aperture could have been plastic bags to sticks and planting this more successful. 5.6.11 *Page 109, No. 154 - There is a amongst the pots; shouting at the little good contrast between flower and critters; even catapulting them with backdrop, but a pity about the lighting litchi pips and later hard ammunition. casting shadows in the perianths Our neighbour’s dog learned of our (flowers). invasion and tried to help, but over- 5.7 With the above features under turned and trampled dozens of pots your control you should be confident and trays in his yelping chase. to take good photos of your ‘children’ Numerous experts had no solution. which you enjoy so much. Remember An elderly friend with the same prob- circumstances may not be controllable lem prayed at a Bible Study group: – but ‘go for it’, do your best and “Lord, we know that you have made ‘enjoy’. everything and all the little animals are dear to You, but please Lord, can’t you Hannes van Rooyen. find a place for the squirrels far from Hannes van Rooyen was a Lecturer in us?” Apparently that helped for her, photography in the Department of Interior Design at the Technikon but perhaps I am one of those with too Witwatersrand from 1982 to 1993 in all little faith, for neither my prayers nor aspects of photography. Editor. my curses were effective. One day, while looking at the trays full of freshly dug holes, I wondered how Nature keeps the animal species out of each other’s territory (or plants). At

16 the same time the morning coffee and the trees and over the roof?” And a large glass of juice made me feel the some time afterwards: “That new fertil- urge to urinate. Then I realized: in izer has a strong smell, haven’t you nature the larger, more dominant and used too much?” From me, a sly aggressive animals mark their territory smile, but no comment. clearly and abundantly. This is Now, some two months later, the smelled and the message obeyed by squirrels are still keeping away from the smaller, pesky ones. So, being the seedling trays and I am consider- larger and very aggressive even if not ing patenting my organic solution to dominant, I clearly and abundantly the problem. marked the boundaries of my trays and small pots. But now my next problem is: how to get up high enough into the branches A few days later, my wife said: “You of the pecan nut and fig trees? know, it is strange, the squirrels are not into the seed trays anymore. I Anonymous. wonder why, because they are still in

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17 Added from the Clivia Enthusiast E- mate of 800 mm or more for clivia. Group. For overseas enthusiasts in particular, Hi All tours during the September 2006 Conference programme will give an There has been interest in contribu- opportunity to learn more about the tions on the dispersal of clivia seed, origin of our favourite genus, and we and the menagerie has grown by two. hope that you are starting to plan your During a recent visit, Nakkie and visits. Preliminary details will soon be Phillip Theron of Johannesburg told us posted on www.cliviasociety.org that in the Eastern Cape dassies With best wishes (photo) take clivia berries. Dassies (the South African name) or hyrax or Connie and James Abel rock rabbit, are wide spread in south- Graham Goodwin is not the contribu- ern Africa. They are a bit bigger than tor of the ‘Anonymous’ letter. Editor. an ordinary rabbit.

During the same visit, Graham Goodwin, who lives about 40 km west of Pretoria, told us that he has had problems with tree squirrels (photo) stealing his clivia berries, eating off the peel and leaving the seed in neat little heaps, as has been reported pre- viously for rodents. Dassies’ habitats in some cases over- lap with clivia, but that is not the case with tree squirrels which are found in the drier areas, where we guesstimate an annual rainfall of 650 mm or less compared to our guessti- 18 From the Clivia enthusiasts e-mail group

Virus symptoms and particles Indiana laboratory (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) 4 February 2003 for apparent virus infection. They did not find any of their usual list of agri- I have recently been involved in a culturally significant viruses, but I lengthy investigation comparing a would like to know what viruses have virus infection of Clivia identified in been confirmed in Clivia in the past, imported plants held in quarantine and where these might be tested for. with virus-infected plants already in Can anyone help me? I don’t have New Zealand. This work has been access to the plant pathology litera- carried out in association with scien- ture, but I can forward any literary ref- tists of the New Zealand Ministry of erences on to the nursery inspectors. Agriculture and Forests [MAF], plus overseas laboratories. I have also Viruses tested for, and their abbrevia- taken photos of virus symptoms. tions: I intend to write a brief report on this Alfalfa Mosaic Virus AMV work as time permits. Not this week - Arabis Mosaic Virus ArMV North Island National Dahlia Show this Broad Bean Wilt Virus BBWV coming weekend. Yes, there are other Chrysanthemum Virus B CVB genera with six letters that end in ‘ia’ Cucumber Mosaic Virus CMV besides Clivia. Impatients Necrotic Spot Virus INSV Prunus Necrotic Ringspot Virus PNRSV Do not expect too much, far more time Tobacco Mosaic Virus TMV and resources are required for Tobacco Ringspot Virus TRSV research in many areas concerning Tobacco Streak Virus TSV the Clivia, in addition to viruses and Tomato Aspermy Virus TAV other pathogens. Tomato Mosaic Virus ToMV Clivia Clubs around the world could Tomato Ringspot Virus ToRSV well consider helping to fund research Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus TSWV in areas such as virus infection. A well Potyvirus Group POTY directed MSc or PhD student can Jim Shields. achieve a great deal relatively cheap- ly. Talk to your local University to 20 September 2003 explore opportunities. Here are two images of plants that I Keith Hammett, Auckland, New suspect are virus infected, but which Zealand. did not test positive for that panel of known plant viruses of agricultural sig- 15 September 2003 nificance. It certainly does not have to I just had some clivias tested at an be a known agricultural virus to be in

19 which I purchased bare-rooted from a weekend market. I believe these plants have been around for umpteen years and have vegetatively propagat- ed themselves and some would quite likely have acquired perhaps a virus. Two of the plants showed symptoms not long after I potted them. The third only showed streaking on the young leaves when it started sending up a flower stem. The streaking is particu- larly prominent on the flower stem. Fairly certain the streaking is not the result of insect attacks, at least not above ground. The symptoms remind me of streaking on the leaves of Liliums affected by one of the mosaic viruses. The Lilium clivia, of course. What does everyone plants would appear disease-free until think? they are split up and transplanted or If these are virus infected, I cannot risk when they start to flower. keeping them in my greenhouses this Regards, winter with all the other plants. Ling (Hobart). Jim Shields in a quandary in Indiana 22 September 2003 28 September 2003 Hello Jim, A few years ago James Abel went to a lot of trouble to bring together a collec- I have very similar streaking on the tion of different Clivia plants that I leaves of 3 of 5 cyrtanthiflora plants wanted to test. I am very grateful to 20 James for doing this and for the gen- that which already existed here in erosity of several people in South New Zealand, there was no reason to Africa who provided the plants. New deny entry. Zealand has some of the strictest A range of tests was carried out here biosecurity regulations in the world, in New Zealand and transmission to which makes the importation of plants some herbaceous indicator plants was ever more difficult and expensive. As accomplished with the recovery of a consequence one needs plenty of virus particles. justification to import plants rather than seed. Particles were variously described as flexuous rod shaped or rod shaped A requirement of importation for Clivia and these ranged in size from 300 - is that plants be held in approved 1200 nm in length and were observed closed post entry quarantine facilities from both the imported and local for a specified period of time, so that plants. they may be regularly inspected to Material was sent to laboratories in ensure that they are free of pests and both the USA and UK for amplification diseases. in order to more specifically identify During the quarantine period one plant the virus(es). It was determined that showed symptoms which suggested the particles from both long estab- that it might be infected with a virus. lished New Zealand plants and the Specimens were taken for tests. imported plants held in quarantine Serological tests were inconclusive, were infected with a Potexvirus, but but examination under an electron existing technology was not sufficient- microscope revealed virus particles. ly sensitive to establish beyond rea- sonable doubt whether we were deal- As the whole importation was at risk of ing with one, or more than one strain being destroyed, I paid to have every of the Potexvirus. plant examined. Two further plants of different species showed low levels of The appended illustration is of value in virus particles, although neither as much as we have a clear linkage showed any symptoms. between a symptom and an infective particle. As always much more I had long suspected that virus infec- research needs to be carried out. tion of Clivia already existed in New I have to acknowledge the coopera- Zealand as well as elsewhere. I pro- tion of scientists and other staff asso- vided leaves showing the symptoms ciated with the New Zealand biosecu- as displayed in the attached image. rity service. They have released the These showed high levels of virus par- surviving plants which showed no ticles. symptoms or virus particles, albeit My argument was that if it could be after more than two years. Further shown that the virus in the imported they have allowed me to make prison South African plants was the same as visits and take root tip samples of Pat

21 Gore’s suspected Swamp Clivia to You started it. check out the karyotype. This has Kind regards, indeed shown the diagnostic Swamp Clivia karyotype. Keith Hammett, Auckland, New Zealand. Hope this is of some help Jim Shields. Internet Clivia chat

Let me introduce myself. I have How did this happen? The Internet. always known the genus Clivia. When Yes blame it all on the Internet. I am I was a small girl, my grandmother part of a wonderful group of ‘clivia- had a tub of clivia on her stoep [veran- holics’, who chat on a daily basis. We dah] in Cape Town. They seemed to swap seeds and sometimes buy thrive on the dregs of the teapot. A rel- plants from each other. We share ative of this plant now grows freely in photos of our latest blooms and dis- my garden. It has traveled the length cuss at length the merits of certain and breadth of South Africa - from the products and plants. This group is hot dusty Karoo town of Victoria West, made up of scientists and lay folk; the over to Beaufort West and then from magic bond we share is our love of suburb to suburb around Cape Town, clivia. Our aim is to improve and back to the Eastern Cape and now expand our growing experience by finally to Gauteng. I assume that the sharing tips and hints. Sometimes the original plant was harvested from the chat is very technical and I have to wild in the early 1930’s. Long before write down all ‘complicated’ stuff and my birth you understand!!! Apart from research it later on. Generally there is the pretty blooms, its hardiness is someone out there who can explain it probably what attracted me to the to me in everyday language and this genus. gets me up to speed. This is not a general situation though. I have only recently had the time to indulge myself as the pressures of Recently our Northern Hemisphere work, family and life in general did not friends were debating the merits of permit me to become involved with a using a gel to germinate their seeds. plant collection. And what an indul- In warmer climates, we don’t usually gence that has become! Five years have to resort to fancy methods to get ago, there was a couple of store- our seeds started, but growers in cold- bought Belgians and Grandma’s clivia er areas often have a slower germina- in my possession. Now I shudder to tion rate, which can cause a few cost- think of the hundreds of plants that ly losses. They report that as it is a cram every corner of my life. In doors sterile medium, fewer seeds are lost and outside my home. Even my fridge and the ‘Swellgel’ method protects has been involved in clivia care. against seedlings drying out due to neglect or indoor heating. I will prob- 22 23 ably give this a try as and when my Bryan Paten of the Australian Clivia seeds arrive from overseas during our Society had posted and viewed some winter months. The product goes off-season bloomers from John under the name of ‘Terrasorb’ in South Craigie also of Australia. I had a one Africa. Frequently found in potting soil on one chat with Tom Wells in for tubs. California and learned of their impend- ing show and conference. “Wish that One of the advantages of our Internet I could be there”. All this without leav- Group is that I can chat individually ing my seat. with folk from other countries. And I do! I sure have come a long way from that single clivia plant to where I am now. Just recently, I have been enjoying But I do realize, that even though the photos from New Zealand and taking Internet has given me a fast track to peek into the gardens of Keith greater knowledge and an ever-grow- Hammett and Di Smith. “Sorry about ing collection of my favourite plants, I the floods folks”. On the same day, I still have a long way to go to catch up was able to view some beauties from with the ‘fundis’ out there. Toy Jennings and Dickie Gunston both in the Cape. Dickie posted images of From my luxury chair in front of the his prolific bloomer ‘Rabbit. “Love that computer, till next time. plant Dickie!” Denise Wilshire I observed some root problems, which Personality profile – Sir Peter Smithers I have written elsewhere in this two books, renowned plant hybridiser Newsletter about C. miniata x kewen- and an award-winning photographer. sis ‘Vico Yellow’ (more commonly In his 80’s Sir Peter also began ‘gar- known as ‘Vico Yellow) pictured on the dening on the Internet’ through his back cover, so it seems a good time membership of various discussion e- also to write about its breeder, Sir groups. Peter Smithers, a member of the Peter Henry Berry Otway Smithers Clivia Society living in Vico Morcote, in was born in Yorkshire in 1913, educat- Switzerland. ed at Harrow School, the alma mater He is a man of many parts: a garden- of Winston Churchill, and Oxford er throughout his life, and also schol- University, where he also became a ar, historian, barrister, naval officer, very young Fellow of the Royal diplomat, member of Parliament, cab- Horticultural Society. He graduated in inet minister, delegate to the United 1934 with first class honours in mod- Nations, international civil servant, lin- ern history before training to be a bar- guist, senior research fellow, author of rister.

24 During the Second World War, after Nerines’ in the Kirstenbosch service at sea he worked in Naval Gardening Series (‘Grow Clivias’is Intelligence in Paris, London, also found in this series). Washington and Central America, By the way, did you know that there is where he collected and grew orchid more than one ‘Vico Yellow’? Sir species, palms and aroids. He Peter visited Burma, obtained bulbs of describes the latter appointment as a Lilium sulphureum and, you guessed gardener’s idea of heaven. He met it, began a breeding programme. Talk his future wife, an American, in Mexico to any lilium fan and they will tell you in 1943. about his famous ‘Vico Yellow’ lilium! After the war he began gardening Wait; there is more to come. Some again at his home in England, while time in his late 50’s Sir Peter began developing his political and diplomatic taking amateur photographs of his career, until, in 1964, he was elected plants. This casual interest developed Secretary General of the Council of into a more serious activity. Eight Europe, based in Strasbourg, France. RHS photography gold medals and 23 He retired from this post five years one-man international exhibitions later and was knighted in 1970. By later…! The President of the RHS has now he and his wife had moved to the written: “Sir Peter may have some village of Vico Morcote above Lake equals around the world as a garden- Lugano in Switzerland, where they er, but probably none as a plant pho- built a house and laid out a garden. tographer”. This area has one of the best garden- ing climates in Europe, and a very Maybe you own a ‘Vico Yellow’ clivia, wide range of plants can be grown or a Nakamura ‘Yellow x Vico Yellow’. successfully there. So that is where I hope that reading about this amazing the name ‘Vico’ in ‘Vico Yellow’ comes man – now in his 90’s and still a mem- from. ber of the Clivia Society, having been an early member of it’s predecessor, Sir Peter’s specialties were magno- the Clivia Club – who bred so many lias, tree peonies and lilies and he reg- beautiful plants, will inspire you in your istered a number of hybrids. The gar- own breeding (and photography?) den was also “stuffed full of bulbous efforts and will add to your enjoyment plants of every kind” (his words). His of your plants. ambitious 30-year breeding pro- gramme in Nerine sarniensis ended in John van der Linde. 1995 with the sale of the entire collec- Information obtained from ‘Inter- tion to Exbury Gardens in the UK. By national Who is Who’, and Sir Peter then Sir Peter had produced many Smithers’ acceptance speech of the cultivars, notably in the purple colour Herbert Medal in ‘Herbertia’. range. You can see some of these stunning flowers on pages 56 and 57 John van der Linde. of Graham Duncan’s booklet ‘Grow

25 Garden Route/Tuinroete interest group

At a recent meeting in January there was keep going strong! Our first Show last year a unanimous decision to change our name was attended by about 1300 people and from ‘The Southern Cape Interest Group’ turned out to be a huge success. This to ‘The Garden Route/Tuinroete Clivia year we plan to have our show over the Interest Group’. We felt that the name is a weekend of 2/3 October. Needless to say, friendly garden orientated name which is anybody is welcome to participate in the also a very familiar environment to every- show. body in South Africa. Our area will cover I want to invite anybody visiting our region more or less the coastal region from to let us know and pop in for a cup of tea, Plettenberg Bay in the east to Heidelberg a clivia stroll and maybe sell, buy or in the south. Oudtshoorn will be an unde- exchange interesting plants and experi- fined northern boarder for us as there are ences. My contact numbers are 044 no members further north. Anybody out- 8746233 or 0827385842 and if I am not side these undefined/imaginary boarders available I will make sure that at least one will naturally be very welcome to be includ- of our committee members will be avail- ed as a member of our group and partici- able. We are looking forward to visitors pate in our activities. from the other regions. I wish everybody a We have about 50 paid up members in the very vigorous clivia season! Garden Route environs and hope to Regards increase our membership to become an independent club in future, which will then Gerrie Brits(Chairman) be known as The Garden Route/Tuinroete GERRIE BRITS Hop Breeder SAB Hop Clivia Club. Forty members, indicating the Farms Tel: +27 044 8028420 Fax: +27 044 enthusiasm for the clivia plant in the 8707550 Cell: 0827385842 Garden Route, attended our first meeting [email protected] this year in January. Hopefully we will For Sale Advertisements. Tariffs for advertis- From the Clivia Society: ing in the Clivia Society Newsletter: Back volume copies of the yearbooks Smalls (1 to 6 lines): R25.00 and newsletters (since 1992) are now Smalls (7 to 10 lines): R30.00 available at reduced prices to overseas Quarter page: R70.00 members. South African members Half page: R125.00 should approach their local branches. Full Page: R250.00 We must point out that it is difficult to A5 separate page insert: R600.00 quote a fixed price without knowing the A4 separate page insert: R800.00 method of payment and delivery. We (You will be sent an account from the suggest you contact Bossie de Kock treasurer for the appropriate amount.) (the treasurer) via e-mail at: 26 [email protected] 0085 evenings only. or by fax at +27 12 804 8892 and list Clivia miniata F1 (yellow x orange), the items you are interested in as well “pinks” and pastels, flowering size @ R12. as the name of the country in which Clivia miniata yellows, flowering size @ you reside. Bossie would then be in a R150. C. miniata ‘Stef’s Perfume’ @ position to suggest the most econom- R18,00. Extra for postage and packaging. ical option. Australian, UK and USA Dries Bester, PO Box 75, Levubu 0929. members are reminded that they can Tel/Fax (015) 583 0299. order via Ken Smith, Michael Jeans Swamp gardenii and miniata seed and and Michael Morri respectively see seedlings covers for contact detail. Also note available from various Natal that further discounts can be negotiat- and Transkei locations. Phone Andrew ed with Bossie for orders exceeding (039) 3135024 a/h or cell 082 10 of a specific item. The following 7845401.Clivia miniata: Creams, yellows, items are available: peaches, apricots, reds, pastels and poly-

Item Approximate price (US $) Yearbook 5 15 Yearbook 4 10 Yearbook 3 Out of stock Yearbook 2 6* Yearbook 1 6* Volumes 1(1992) to 11 (2002) of newsletters 10 per volume* Hints on growing Clivia – hard copy 5* Hints on growing Clivia – electronic PDF format 3* International membership list – hard copy 3* International membership list – electronic format No charge* * Including postage and banking charges if paid by credit card. Contact Bossie de Kock for quotation re payments made by cheque.

Private advertisements: chromes. Seed, seedlings, mature plants Clivia species, interspecifics and spe- and offsets of stock plants bred and select- cialities. Participate in our coordinated ed over 25 years. Contact Bing Wiese, imports and exports of seeds and plants - Pretoria tel/fax (012) 460 6382 to view. Asia, ANZ, N. Am. & Eu. Connie Abel, THURLOW FLORA We have on offer a Pretoria, +27-12-3616406 or large variety of carefully bred seedlings [email protected] and mature plants for sale. We specialize Yellow Nogqaza strains from R15 to in pastel colours, oddities, species and R120. Orange from R1 to R6 for mature original wild collected and named clones plants. Delivery anywhere. SOUTH of clivia. Mail order and visitors welcome. AFRICAN CLIVIA PLANTATION, Box 855, For our latest plant list please contact Hilton 3245. Call 082- 955 5433. Sean and Terri Chubb. Tel: 031 7811978 e- Clivia miniata. Seed R100 per kilogram. mail: [email protected] We also have Year old plants R2 each. Roly Strachan, available a few hundred different named Box 57, Highflats 3306 or Tel. (039) 835 daylily clones. 27 Beginner’s luck Flower structure trast to 'polytepalous'. Otherwise, 'double' I was recently asked a question: "Why do can be a general case of which 'poly- we call clivia with extra petals 'multipetals' tepalous' is a specific instance. We need whereas daylilies with extra petals are a good definition of 'multipetal' in clivia classified as 'double' and 'polytepal'?" classifications. The pictures I've seen look For want of a better definition -- I only polytepalous, not having just extra petals. looked in Stearn's 'Botanical Latin' - It gave 'Polypetalous' means something a bit dif- the following answer: ferent - it means having the petals uncon- 'Tepal' is a collective term for petals plus nected at the base. Daylilies and all sepals. amaryllids have petals and sepals formed as extensions of a single structure, the 'Polytepal' is more of a botanical term, perianth tube. They are not 'polypetalous' while 'multipetal' is probably a layman's regardless of how many petals they have. neologism. I believe that they mean, in practice, the same thing. In both cases, This seems at the moment to be a reason- they seem to mean having more than the able explanation, but I think it is a matter usual number of normal petals and sepals, that ought to be addresses specifically in while a double flower has petaloid sta- reference to Clivia. I have actually seen, mens. I.e., 'polytepal' means having all the once, a clivia plant in flower with all the flo- extra petals where the normal petals would rets truly double - having petaloid sta- be, and any extra sepals where the normal mens. It was stolen a year later from the sepals would be. 'Double' means having owner's locked greenhouse. extra petals where they would not occur in Jim Shields a normal flower, at least if it is used in con-

about 'Imported garden pests'. The first line of this chapter reads: "These are REAL pests - know your enemy"! Evidently my ancestors were introduced from South America and therefore there is no natural enemy to the caterpil- lar here in South Africa. The authors sug- The Editor has been reading a delightful gest that only humans can keep us in book by Charles and Julia Botha called check and suggest many horrible ways of 'Bring nature back to your garden'. Eve getting rid of us. One of them not already Gibbs has cleverly illustrated it with line mentioned in previous correspondence drawings. The book is full of useful infor- (handpicking and insecticides) is to feed mation about how to create an ecological- larvae to the Tilapia in the garden pond! ly friendly garden with indigenous plant- Ugh!! Please don't buy this book! You ings. may get some terrible ideas from it. As an Amaryllis caterpillar I was surprised Lily Borer (Brithys pancratii from South to see I also featured in it in the chapter Africa and from Australia!). 28 CONTACT DETAILS FOR CLIVIA CLUBS AND INTEREST GROUPS Cape Clivia Club: Joy Woodward (Secretary). PO Box 53219, Kenilworth, 7745. Tel (h) +27 21 671 7384, Tel (w) +27 21 799 8768, Fax +27 21 797 0002. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Eastern Province Willie le Roux (Chairperson) PO Box 19292, Linton Grange, Port Clivia Club: Elizabeth, 6015. Tel & Fax: +27 41-360 3480. E-mail: [email protected] KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club: Sean Chubb (Chairperson). Thurlow Farm, PO Box 126, Eston, 3740. Tel & Fax: +27 31 781 1978. E-mail: [email protected] Northern Clivia Club: Lena van der Merwe (Secretary). PO Box 74868, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040. Tel & Fax: +27 12 804 8892. E-mail: [email protected] Border Interest Group: Stella van Gass (Chairperson). 16 Greenan Street, Berea, East London, 5241. Tel +27 43 721 2964 Free State Clivia: Hennie van der Mescht, 18 Mettam Street, Fichardt Park, Bloemfontein, 9322. Tel. +27 51 522 9530. Fax: +27 51 436 4340. E-mail: [email protected] Garden Route Gerrie Brits (Chairperson). Tel: +27 44 8028420. Clivia Interest Group: Fax: +27 44 8707550. Cell: 0827385842. E-mail [email protected] Metro Group: Glynn Middlewick (Chairperson). 2 Willow Road, Northcliff, 2195. Tel +27 11 476 1463. E-mail: [email protected] Northern KZN: Dries Olivier. PO Box 8783, Newcastle, 2940. Tel +27 83 264 6230. Fax: +27 34 318 6667. E-mail: [email protected] Southern Cape Ian Vermaak (Chairperson). PO Box 4802, George East, 6539. Interest Group: Tel & Fax +27 44 873 4122. E-mail: [email protected] Waterberg Boslelieklub: An Jacobs. PO Box 3893, Nylstroom, 0510. Tel & Fax: +27 14 717 2674. E-mail: [email protected] Zoutpansberg: Anneke Stroebel (Secretary). PO Box 1712, Louis Trichardt, 0920. Tel +27 83 326 6073. Fax +27 15 516 5710. E-mail: [email protected]

EDITOR OF NEWSLETTER Meg Hart. 70 The Valley Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193. Tel & Fax +27 11 646 9392, E-mail: [email protected]

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Cobu Roos. Tel 072 2723 328, E-mail: [email protected]

CLIVIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman: Chris Vlok, PO Box 99583, Garsfontein 0060, Tel H +27 12 998 5942, e-mail: [email protected] Secretary: Lena van der Merwe, PO Box 74868, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040, Tel & Fax +27 12 804 8892, e-mail: [email protected] Vice-Chairman: John van der Linde, 1 Wheelan Str., Newlands, 7700 Tel & Fax +27 12 671 4535. e-mail: [email protected] Treasurer: Bossie de Kock, PO Box 38539, Garsfontein, 0042, Tel +27 12 998 3620, e-mail: [email protected] Office Bearer: Ken Smith, 593 Hawkesbury Rd., Winmalee, NSW 2777, Australia. Tel +61 2 47543287. E- mail: [email protected]

REPRESENTATIVES OF CONSTITUENT CLIVIA CLUBS

Cape: Claude Felbert, Felicity Weeden, Gert Wiese Eastern Province: Willie le Roux, Charl Coetzee Northern: Lena van der Merwe, Peter Lambert, Bossie de Kock KwaZulu-Natal: Sean Chubb

REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS MEMBERS

Keith Hammett. 488C Don Buck Rd, Massey, Auckland 8, New Zealand. Tel +64 9 833-9453. E-mail: [email protected] Michael Morri, P.O. Box 192, Union City, Michigan 49094 USA. Direct enquiries to Michael at either tel. (517) 741-4769 or E-mail: [email protected] Ken Smith. 593 Hawkesbury Rd., Winmalee, NSW 2777, Australia. Tel +61 2 47543287. E-mail: [email protected] Aart van Voorst. Frederick Hendriklaan 49, Hillegom, TE 2181, Netherlands. Tel: +31 252529679; email: [email protected]

OTHER OVERSEAS CONTACT PERSONS FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

United Kingdom Dr Hamish Sloan, 40 Wendan Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7AF, England, UK. Tel: 044 1635 47417; e-mail: [email protected]

(Continued on inside back cover) Contents

CLIVIA SOCIETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Inside front cover EDITORIAL – Meg Hart 2 2004 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CLIVIA SOCIETY 2 A. Synopsis of proceedings of the Annual General meeting held on 5 June 2004 - Chris Vlok. 2 B. Chairman's Report - Chris Vlok 5 C. Report of the Standards and Judging Committee - Roger Dixon 9 JOHN WINTER - CITATION FOR HONORARY MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLIVIA SOCIETY - SEAN CHUBB 10 RESEARCH GRANT AWARD - Prof. Wijnand J Swart 12 PROGRESS REPORT ON THE PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CLIVIA MIRABILIS SEEDLNGS FOR SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC - John Winter 13 TRIBUTE TO FRANS GERBER - Ammie Grobler & Cobus Roos 14 STORIES BEHIND THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHS -- John van der Linde 14 CORRESPONDENCE Pollination by moths?- Roger Fisher 18 Window shopping - Jennifer du Plessis 19 Saunders 'flava' - Roger Fisher 19 SOME EARLY NAMES ASSOCIATED WITH CLIVIA: (7) — THE SAUNDERS FAMILY — John van der Linde 20 CLIVIA CLUBS AND INTEREST GROUPS 21 EASTERN PROVINCE CLIVIA CLUB - Willie le Roux 21 Donation of Clivia plants 21 Oom Fred relocates 21 New secretary 21 NORTHERN CLIVIA CLUB 22 Some Clivia breeding in North America - Sakkie Nel 22 LOWVELD INTEREST GROUP - Cobus Roos 22 2004 CLIVIA SHOWS 26 2005 CLIVIA SYMPOSIUM AT HUNTINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS — Harold Koopowitz 26 FOR SALE 27 BEGINNER'S LUCK - Meg Hart 28 ON THE COMPOST HEAP - Meg Hart 28

Views expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the Committee and the Clivia Society.

1 Editorial The present newsletter has a great variety of behind the cover photographs' and gives articles which should satisfy the tastes of insight into the contributions of the North our many and varied readers and enthusi- Coast Saunders family. The former intro- asts. The Annual General Meeting news duces us to many of our successful show always features prominently at this time of growers and tells us how they obtained their the year and members are enlightened as to plants and what breeding methods they use what took place on 5 June 2004. John to establish better varieties. Winter was awarded honorary status of the Clubs and interest groups have also been Society at the AGM and the citation bears busy and report their feedback. Jim Shields, testimony to his contribution to the conser- a prominent grower of clivia from Indiana vation of the genus Clivia. Clivia Clubs and visited South Africa and gave a talk to the Societies from other parts of the world grow Northern Clivia Club about growing clivia in from strength to strength and domestically a some areas of the United States. Show similar pattern is evident. dates are repeated in this issue. For those The fanfare given to Clivia mirabilis two prepared to travel to the USA, Harold years ago has been taken a step further and Koopowitz offers a general invitation to these developments are described by John attend the Clivia Symposium at the Winter. At one stage the editor thought the Huntington Botanic gardens next year. present newsletter would be a rather thin May there be no severe frosts this winter and contribution so it was most gratifying when may the flowering season bring many beau- Roger Fisher and Jennifer du Plessis sup- tiful and exciting blooms plied letters. John van der Linde makes his usual interesting contributions on the 'Stories Editor.

2004 Annual General Meeting of the Clivia Society

A. Synopsis of proceedings of the Annual domly. There will be approximately General Meeting held on 5 June 2004. 1500 saleable seedlings available. Plants will be sold bare-rooted. It is planned to advertise the seedlings by 1 Matters arising from the minutes. John August 2004 and this will be done Winter assured the meeting that the through the Clivia Society Newsletter Clivia Society will be informed as to and the web page of the NBI. So far when Clivia mirabilis plants will become there is no response (from Northern available. Plants will be allocated on a Cape Nature Conservation) on the percentage basis to local and overseas request to make seed available to over- applicants. Names will be selected ran- 2 seas people. John Winter will take up Standards and Judging. the possibility of making pollen avail- • To maintain the existing membership able with the authorities. fees for 2005. At the meeting it was suggested that the price should be in the order of R200,00 4 Other reports per seedling, R25,00 per seed and • 2006 Clivia Conference in Pretoria: pollen at R400,00 per five pollen sacs. Peter Lambert enlightened the meeting on the activities of the organizing com- The meeting agreed that the Clivia mittee. The conference will be pre- Society should send a letter to NCNC ceded by a conference (in Cape Town regarding co-operation with the distri- South Africa) of the International Bulb bution of Clivia mirabilis plant material Society. The prospects are promising and informing them about the activities to get stamps depicting Clivias issued of the Clivia Society and affiliated clubs. in 2006. 2 Honorary membership. Mr. Sean • Yearbook: John van der Linde. An Chubb's proposal that Mr. John Winter effort is required from all to sell be awarded honorary membership of Yearbooks. Willie le Roux thanked the Clivia Society was unanimously John van der Linde and his committee accepted at the meeting. The Chairman on behalf of all members and Clubs for their efforts in producing the annual congratulated John and presented him showcase of the Society. with a framed certificate. John • Clivia Society Photographic competi- expressed his sincere gratitude for the tion. John van der Linde pointed out honour bestowed on him by the Clivia that few members took part in this Society. competition compared to the number 3 Financial report: Bossie de Kock of photographs published on the E- • The Society had a net operating group. The Chairperson requested income of R33 312.00 John to thank Claude Felbert on behalf " Membership numbers showed an of the Clivia Society for the initiative increase of 109. shown. • Income received from publications • Newsletter: In her report Meg Hart has exceeded the budget figure with indicated that 2004/2005 will be her R31 183.00 last term as editor of the newsletter. Gert Wiese said that Meg Hart has The following proposals were put forward done an excellent job and propose that and approved: she should be thanked for a job well done. • To establish a special account (starting • Research Committee: H Robbertse. balance of R15 000) for the future pub- The committee received five applica- lication of the list of registered Clivia tions for research funding. It was cultivars. decided to support the application • To reprint 1,000 copies of Yearbook 3 (Disease causing organisms associat- and to also make Yearbooks 1 to 5 ed with Clivia species in South Africa available on CD. and their control.) of Prof. Swart of • To include in the budget for 2005 an Free State University. amount of R10 500 as a provision to The Cape Clivia Club propose that the publish a booklet - Guide to Clivia

3 Clivia Society should pay for research is still in its embryonic stage - please initiated by clubs should it appear that submit your comments/contributions the research is to the benefit of the to him. The aim is to produce a pock- broader Clivia community. The meet- et sized guide. John van der Linde ing decided that the Clivia Society thanked Roger and pointed out that couldn't commit itself to paying for what he has done is really exciting such research. However, such re- stuff. He pointed out that it is the quests and new research proposals responsibility of the Clubs/members to should be submitted to the Research make this project work. Committee via the Clivia Society for • Chairman's report: C Vlok. See full consideration. report elsewhere in this newsletter. • Public Relations: Cobus Roos. A com- mittee of three plus Cobus as conven- 5 Election/Appointment of office bearers. er has been established for the “Finding The following nominations have been Oprah” project. Details regarding own- received and approved: ership of plants will not be made avail- able to the other committee members Chairperson: Chris Vlok before the final decision has been Vice-Chairperson: John van der Linde made. This will ensure that the selec- Treasurer: Bossie de Kock tion process is done in a fair manner. Secretary: Lena van der Merwe The closing date for entries is Additional Member: Ken Smith September 29th, 2004, at 12h00. The final decision will be taken at a meeting 6 Election/Appointment of members for in Cape Town (offices of “O sub-committees Magazine”) on October 1st, 2004. • Registration of genus Clivia: K Smith. Newsletter: Meg Hart and Roger Dixon The Cape Clivia Club expressed con- Web Site: Roger Dixon, Chris Vlok, Willie cern about the possible proliferation of le Roux, Riel Lötter, Johan Schoombee Clivia names. Roger Dixon, supported and Cobus Roos by Willie le Roux, pointed out that Yearbook: John van der Linde, Roger plants should be evaluated against Dixon, Claude Felbert and Dr. Dave standards and only then be put up for McDonald registration. Cobus Roos mentioned Research: Mick Dower, Hannes that we should not forget that beauty is Robbertse, Aart van Voorst in the eye of the beholder. Registration of genus Clivia: Ken Smith, • Web Site: Chris Vlok (See chairman's Joan Sadie, Peter Lambert and Willie le report). An appeal is made to clubs to Roux appoint people to upload photographs Public Relations: Cobus Roos, Gideon of club shows onto the Clivia Society Botha and Marleen Bilas website. Standards and Judging committee: • Standards and Judging: Roger Dixon - Roger Dixon, Keith Hammett, Ken Smith, see full report elsewhere in this Ian Coates, Jim Shields, Charl Coetzee, newsletter. One of the problems Roger Felicity Weeden, Mick Dower, Ammie encounters is in getting basic informa- Grobler and Koos Geldenhuys. tion such as the range of colour of the flowers of Clivia and how to describe 7 Honoraria. The meeting approved hono- Clivia plants. The guidelines document raria of R 2 000,00 to both the secretary 4 and treasurer. us. Your fighting spirit and dedication to 8 The Clivia Society in a changing arena - Clivia is a lesson for all of us. Although Oom future strategies Pat Gore does not serve on the Clivia The chairman outlined the background Society I think he is the only person present to this point. From the following discus- today who has attended all Clivia Club or Clivia Society AGM's. Welcome to new del- sion it became clear that some dele- egates who have been nominated by their gates are in favour of maintaining the clubs to serve on the Clivia Society and status quo while others support a thank you to the KwaZulu/Natal Clivia Club rethinking of the function and structure for hosting this meeting. of the Clivia Society. The chairman is of the opinion that: We are indeed privileged to say, “It was a • the Clivia Society should always have very good year” when reflecting on the activ- an address located in South Africa. ities of the Society over the past thirteen • a bottom up approach is essential. months. Credit should go to those at club Clubs/societies should remain and interest group level who through their autonomous and be allowed to develop enthusiasm and unselfish dedication create a or maintain a unique character. milieu in which the Society and affiliated • any change should be done with cir- clubs can thrive. cumspection. Should changes be There were several highlights. Yes, the Clivia required, overseas clubs/societies Society cannot be credited with all the should be part of the process from day achievements and initiatives, but please one. allow me to boast about what our Clivia fam- • provision should always be made for ily has achieved. individual Clivia enthusiasts not affiliat- ed to a particular local or national club 1. During 2003 Clivia Clubs and individuals or society. in South Africa staged 10 shows and exhibitions visited by literally thousands The meeting approved the proposal namely of visitors. Our overseas Clivia enthusi- that the Clivia Society should draw up a dis- asts were also instrumental in organis- cussion document that can be circulated for ing Clivia exhibitions in New Zealand, comments Australia and the USA. Diffusing Clivia organisations are steadily making their 9 A letter was received from the Northern mark on the world and South African Clivia Club in which they offer to host maps (Yes, I'm a Geographer). the 2005 Annual General meeting. 2. We thanked 'Mr. Yearbook' at the 2003 AGM for his huge contribution in pro- B. Chairman's Report ducing a series of Yearbooks that are sought after internationally. At that Dear members of the Clivia Society, stage Clivia 5 was still in production. A year later we can reiterate that Mick Thank you for attending this meeting. Some Dower retired from the editorial com- of you have traveled more than a 1 000 km mittee on a high - Yearbook 5 was to be here today. Some of you were, in a indeed the proverbial cherry on the top. way perhaps, not supposed to be here today. Thanks Mick. Oom Gert, it is a privilege to have you with 5 3. The newsletters were again of a high State University). The topic to be standard and published in time. Thank researched is Disease-causing organ- you to all who have contributed to the isms associated with Clivia species in newsletters by submitting articles and South Africa and their control. photographs for the cover. We owe Meg 7. In collaboration with the Northern Clivia Hart (and I think Graeme) a salute for Club the Society prepared and submit- cherishing this baby of ours for 10 ted a portfolio and application to com- years. In her report tabled at the 2003 memorate Clivia on South African AGM Meg wrote “the Society should stamps in 2006, the year of our next consider finding new blood as my conference. The initial response was tenure approaches ten years”. As very positive. chairperson I accept full responsibility 8. The Clivia Society website went online for (conveniently) forgetting this in December 2003. A lot of hard work request. and many late night hours went into the 4. The Cape Clivia Club gave us the “Clivia project. A word of thanks and appreci- Colour Chart” — a long overdue cheap ation to Roger Dixon. I do not know and easy-to-use reference tool to how I would have managed without his describe Clivia colours. They also took keen and capable assistance. Yes, the initiative by starting Cape News/Kaapse website is “complete”, but it is only the Nuus, a club newsletter which is also start. We still need to activate the published on the Clivia Society website. search facility and make it possible for It is great reading and I hope other a wider group of dedicated people to Clubs will soon follow their example. place photographs in the photo gallery. 5. We are all looking forward to Yearbook In 2003 it was rather embarrassing that 6. It seems that John van der Linde, the very few photographs of our shows new chairman of the editorial commit- were posted via the electronic forums. I tee, has everything under control and trust that in 2004 the Clivia Society and we can expect the yearbook to be pub- the Clivia Clubs, will cooperate so that lished well in advance of the annual photographs can be uploaded within 24 shows. A new and apparently very suc- hours of judging. Thank you to Cobus cessful initiative that the editorial com- Roos who is taking care of updating the mittee introduced was a photographic events page. competition in order to attract photo- 9. At the 2003 Annual General Meeting graphs for the yearbook and newsletter concern was expressed regarding the covers. Thank you John, Claude and lack of progress on the development of Roger for nurturing this important win- Show and Judging Standards. Roger dow of the Clivia Society. Dixon, the chairperson of this commit- 6. The research committee received four tee operated in a vacuum since very lit- proposals from South African universi- tle cooperation was received from ties in response to the invitation to sub- appointed club representatives. I was mit proposals on the topics identified by somewhat concerned at one stage. the committee. It was decided to sup- Fortunately, Roger had to read a paper port the proposal of Prof W Swart (Free in New Zealand during March 2004. 6 7 Over the Easter weekend Roger and We had our “ups” but we also had our Keith Hammett brainstormed the con- “downs”. cept and produced a document that has • Some members in the United Kingdom already been described as a “monu- indicated that they did not receive all mental” effort. On behalf of the Clivia four newsletters of 2003. We correct- Society, I urge clubs and especially ed the situation by posting (in March) their judges, to critically evaluate and replacement copies together with comment in a constructive manner on Newsletter 1 of 2004. Guess what? the content of the draft. After seven weeks the posted newslet- 10. At the 2003 Annual General Meeting the ters had not reached their destinations. Society was requested to reach out to It also appeared that members in other countries did not receive newsletter other Clivia organisations, especially 1/2004. We depleted our entire stock those in Japan and China. Because of by reposting during the last week of the language barrier this appeared to be May. Two days later we began receiv- a rather tall order. However, a very pos- ing e-mails indicating that the newslet- itive development was the subsequent ters posted in March had eventually establishment of the International Clivia reached our members. The reason I Group. This group consists of am saying this, is because we have spokespersons of the Clivia Society reached a stage whereby electronic (and constituent clubs), the New distribution to our overseas members Zealand Clivia Club, the North American should be seriously considered. Clivia Society as well as the Clivia • In January 2004 I posted a draft copy of a letter addressed to the Northern Society of Australia. We meet bi- Cape Department of Nature monthly in cyber space and discuss Conservation to members of the Clivia Clivia matters of mutual interest in a Society. The main objective of the let- frank and open manner. ter was to enquire about the future 11. We were approached by Ms. Jane release of Clivia mirabilis material. The Raphaely, the editor in chief of “O: The letter also hinted/suggested that the Oprah Winfrey Magazine”, to name a Clivia Society could play a role in an Clivia after Ms. Winfrey who turned 50 advisory capacity as well as promot- earlier this year. Fortunately we had a ing the community project associated Public Relations Officer to whom we with Clivia mirabilis. The letter trig- gered an emotionally fierce debate. A could delegate this request. Cobus small minority was totally against the Roos is making good progress putting idea of approaching Northern Cape structures and procedures in place Nature Conservation (NCNC). I regarding the evaluation of entries. referred the matter to the Management 12. There was re-affirmation by the Committee. The latter body was of the International Society for Horticultural opinion that the wish of the majority Science of the Clivia Society as the should be honoured. The Management International Cultivar Registration committee also recommended (as Authority for the genus Clivia with Ken was the opinion of the group of dele- Smith as Registrar. gates in favour of approaching NCNC) that the letter should be rephrased.

8 This has been done but the letter has hope that it will be as successful and pro- not yet been posted. ductive as 2003/04 has been. We wish you the best of luck with your annual shows and It would not have been possible to efficient- your club activities. And finally, today we ly manage the Clivia Society without the are going to exchange ideas and opinions on assistance of a team of dedicated individu- The Clivia Society in a changing arena - als. The following persons were invaluable future strategies. Allow me to subtly influ- in servicing our overseas members: ence you. When suggesting and debating future strategies or changes we should ask • Michael Jeans. For many years Mike ourselves the simple question: Is it good for has played an important role in collect- Clivia? ing UK membership fees on our behalf. He was also instrumental in creating a Chris Vlok permanent market for our yearbooks at Botanical Gardens in the United Kingdom. Mike has sadly decided to C. Report of the Standards and Judging call it a day. However, being loyal to Committee the Clivia Society, Mike also assisted At the last AGM in Port Elizabeth a request us in finding a successor in Dr. Hamish was made that a preliminary guide on stan- Sloan. dards and judging criteria be ready for the • Mike Morri, who collects membership September (southern hemisphere) flowering fees in the USA. season. For various reasons, this was not • Ken Smith, our Australian representa- reached, not least being the fact that a point tive, not only collects membership of departure had to be defined first. fees, but is also responsible for the printing and distribution of our newslet- Initially all available show schedules were ters in Australia. circulated for comment and suggestions. No response was received. I then compiled a Thank you to John van der Linde and Ken hefty document that was circulated to all Smith for the support you have given me. members of the committee in which the The big guns doing the dirty work are Lena entire spectrum of judging, judging training, van der Merwe and Bossie de Kock. They standards and showing was covered, and walk the proverbial extra mile for the Society requested input. This time I received some and its members. We are grateful for the input, and as a result we went back to impressive sales figures of Clivia Society basics. I enlisted the help of additional peo- publications as shown in the financial state- ple to consider the basics of Clivia, such as ments. Without their dedicated efforts to colour, size and leaf shape. Over a period of promote sales, it would not have been pos- some months measurements were made sible. Mick Dower and Ian Brown have been and discussions took place via email. As a prominent members of the Clivia Society result of this we finally came to agreement since day one. Both of them have decided to as to what we should cover first, which was make room for new blood. I hope we can basic definitions of terms and the definition still tap into their vast expertise when a year- of standards. book, a constitutional or a financial crisis In April 2004 I spent the Easter weekend arises. with Keith Hammett and we compiled the We look forward to the coming year and basis of a guide to standards and judging, using the discussions and inputs over the 9 past year. The introduction to this guide all its species and hybrids. Clivia will be gives a good summary of what has been exhibited primarily as whole plants grown in achieved: containers with the objective of show judg- ing being to determine that which is most “Cultural differences have resulted in two aesthetically pleasing. It is recognized that main directions in the breeding of Clivia. plants vary in both dimension and propor- One direction focuses on the foliage of tion, and for this reason a set of categories plants, while the other focuses on the plant has been established to enable the compila- and its inflorescences. Within these differ- tion of show schedules.” ent breeding directions a large diversity of characteristics and their combinations has It is my hope that once this guide has been been achieved already. It is the aim of this finalised, which should be in the near future, booklet to document, define and quantify this it will be published and distributed to all variation. This will facilitate communication members. and understanding between Clivia enthusi- asts worldwide, which, in turn, will lead to In conclusion, I would particularly like to further development of the plant in cultiva- thank those members of the committee and tion. those who were co-opted by me for their input, especially Keith Hammett, Ian Coates, The booklet also presents guidelines for the Jim Shields, Ken Smith, John van der Linde exhibition of Clivia plants so that both enthu- and Ammie Grobler. siasts and the general public alike can enjoy the beauty offered by the genus. In this Roger Dixon guide, Clivia is defined as being inclusive of 24th May 2004

John Winter — citation for honarary membership of the Clivia Society

John Winter has had a long and successful became responsible for the management of career promoting indigenous plants in gener- all the National Botanical Gardens in South al and Clivia in particular. Africa until he retired in 2001. John was Curator of Kirstenbosch from Nick Primich founded the Clivia Club in 1978 to 1998. Apart from all his other tasks, Johannesburg in 1991. Although not for- he was also personally responsible for col- mally involved with the Club at the time, he lecting and breeding a number of plant gen- worked together with Graham Duncan, Gert era, including Proteaceae, Erica, Disa, Wiese and Christo Lötter in the Cape on Agapanthus, Asparagus and Clivia. An improving the forms of C. miniata which Erica, an Aloe and a Leucospermum have were available to them. In so doing they been named after him and he bred the Disa became well known to the other Clivia breed- hybrid 'Kirstenbosch Pride'. ers throughout the country. In 1998 he was promoted to Deputy Director In 1994 John attended the first International of the National Botanical Institute and Conference of the Clivia Club in Pretoria,

10 joined the Club and in September 1995 he KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and Mpumalanga. arranged an informal meeting of Clivia enthu- These searches have established the bound- siasts at Kirstenbosch. This led to the forma- aries of all the Clivia species in the wild, tion of a Cape Province Branch of the Clivia which he updates as new colonies are dis- Club, which became a constituent Club of covered. the Clivia Society. He has reported on these in papers, which John has been the Cape Clivia Club's he read at the 1998 and 2002 International Chairman since its inception. Clivia Conferences, and in various articles that he has written for the Yearbooks. In 2001/2002 he became the first Chairman of the Clivia Society and had the difficult task Dr John Rourke later joined John on his trips, of watching over the transition from a cen- with the result that many of the Clivia gaps in tralised management of Clivia affairs under the Compton Herbarium have now been the Clivia Club, to the individual Clubs getting filled. used to managing their own affairs under the umbrella of the Clivia Society. He completed Despite his retirement as Curator of that task very professionally and successful- Kirstenbosch and later as Deputy Director of ly the National Botanical Institute, John remained responsible for the habitat collec- John was aware that there were very few tion of Clivia at Kirstenbosch. He has built Clivia clones at Kirstenbosch, that virtually up that collection to be the most comprehen- none of them had been collected in the habi- sive in the country. As the plants have mul- tat and that there were very few specimens tiplied, he has distributed them among the in any of the Herbaria in South Africa - this other National Botanical Gardens so that they despite it's being endemic to South Africa. can be shared and enjoyed by all. Therefore, in 1995 he went to the Eastern This has become more important as Clivia in Cape and the Transkei to locate Clivia in the the wild become increasingly threatened by habitat and access them for a living collec- agriculture and by ethno medicine and use tion at Kirstenbosch. as good-luck charms. To combat this John also set up a scheme to encourage the dona- As expected, C. nobilis were found at a num- tion of Clivia seed to Kirstenbosch where it ber of locations from near Port Alfred up to has been grown on and made available to the the Kei River. Some of those locations were public and nurseries at give away prices. already in Herbarium records. However, John was especially interested in following Previously the development of new Clivia up verbal reports that C. miniata grew, not clones, especially of C. miniata, had been only in Kwazulu-Natal, but also in the restricted by a very limited gene pool from Transkei. KwaZulu-Natal. John's accession of these new forms from the wild has expanded that John searched for and found them near the gene pool phenomenally. He has ensured Kei River and then ventured into the Transkei that all Clivia lovers will benefit from this by itself, which was considered by many at that making seed and seedlings of these plants time to be foolhardy. There he found new C. publicly available through the National miniata forms, such as 'Apple Blossom', Botanical Institute. which are now secured at Kirstenbosch. Oorlogskloof, where C. mirabilis was found, John has returned to the Eastern Cape and falls under the jurisdiction of the Northern Transkei and extended his searches into

11 Conservation Department. When the Cape Clivia Club and the Border and Garden National Botanical Institute at Kirstenbosch Route Interest Groups. identified this new clivia species, the NBI agreed to germinate and grow the first seed As if that was not enough, John has contin- collected by the Department and to train peo- ued his own successful breeding of new and ple at Nieuwoudtville to grow these plants as prize-winning cultivars (including Show a community project. John was entrusted Champions and Reserve Champions), and with implementing this agreement. He is has always helped other members at work- also responsible to the Department for the shops and individually, and by his generosi- marketing of those first seedlings. ty, to grow and breed better Clivia. Alongside all these official responsibilities, Sean Chubb. John has continued to look after the well Citation received from KwaZulu-Natal Clivia being and success of the Clivia Society by Club, Seconded by Eastern Province Clivia ensuring that the Cape Clivia Club has thrived Club. and nurtured the development of the Eastern

Research grant award

I would like to express my sincere apprecia- I look forward to working with the Clivia tion to the Clivia Society for the award of Society in what promises to be an enlighten- funding for conducting research in accor- ing and rewarding learning experience for all dance with the research proposal I submit- parties concerned. ted to the society in August 2003. I trust that this will lay the foundation for further and Sincerely, more goal directed research pertaining to Prof. Wijnand J. Swart health management of cultivated Clivia New Crop Pathology Programme species. Department of Plant Sciences : As stated in my proposal it is crucial that Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences growers/members of the Clivia Society are Free State University aware of the opportunity that has now aris- PO Box 339, BLOEMFONTEIN 9300, SOUTH en for a detailed survey of Clivia diseases. It AFRICA is therefore vital that they participate by [email protected] sending samples to our laboratory for diag- nostic evaluation and inclusion into the 051-401-2383 (office) national database which will now be devel- 072-460-3415 (mobile) oped.

12 Progress report on the production and development of Clivia mirabilis seedlngs for sale to the general public

A new species of Clivia, named Clivia dles. An organic fertilizer (Bounce Back) is mirabilis by Dr John Rourke, was discovered added to the mixture. As pine needles are in the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve in not always readily available, compost may February 2001. The then Northern Cape be substituted. The seedlings have been Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, grown in seed trays and have progressed Environment and Conservation (i.e. The well. Since germination the seedlings have Departments of Agriculture and Nature been fed monthly with Biogrow. Some Conservation), established a project which seedlings have been slower growing than would provide employment and contribute others, but by and large the bulk of the plants towards the upliftment of the local commu- will be of a saleable size by January 2005. nity as well as conserving this new species of Clivia. To provide greater depth for root develop- ment, the seedlings are presently being The project aims at producing seedlings of repotted into 18cm pots, planting three to a Clivia mirabilis and making these available to pot. Fresh growing medium will stimulate the general public, thus discouraging Clivia further growth and root development. enthusiasts from attempting to obtain plants from the natural population in the The price for the seedlings has not yet been Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve. finalised by the Department of Finance of the Northern Cape. It is anticipated that the sell- Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden agreed to sup- ing price will be in the region of R150,00 per port this project by germinating seed and seedling. growing on seedlings of Clivia mirabilis to a saleable size, and training staff of the The Northern Cape Department applied for Nieuwoudtville Bulk Project of Conservation Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) with a view to in germinating seed, growing seedlings and providing additional protection for Clivia finally marketing and despatching the miralibis as well as generating royalties for seedlings. plants sold which will contribute to the devel- opment of the community. However the Seed was harvested in February 2003 and application was not successful. Kirstenbosch germinated the seed and is growing the seedlings on. The growing John Winter medium used consists of two parts of milled for Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden pine bark and one part of milled pine nee- June 2004

13 Tribute to Frans Gerber

To most South African members of the Clivia we might never see, that is why they call Society, and especially the members of the today the present, for it is a gift we must all Northern Clivia Club, this will be a very famil- live to the fullest. Frans Gerber lived his life iar name. I was spurred on by someone who like this. Every new day was a gift to him, had a close relationship with Oom Frans on and he shared his joy of living with every- a professional level, and from their shared one. love for the genus Clivia, Oom Ammie Although our hearts are filled with sorrow Grobler, to write this piece. about his passing, we can all live in anticipa- It was with a great deal of sadness that we tion of the day we will meet with Oom Frans all learned about Oom Frans' passing. Even in the life beyond our brief stay on earth. though the sword of his disease was always With this we say goodbye to a respected, present, he remained joyful and content with trusted and loved friend. To his family, our whatever the Father had in stall for him. sincere condolences. And our gratitude for There is a saying - "There is no greater gift his sharing of himself with us. than when you give of yourself". This was the man Frans Gerber. To him it came natu- Cobus Roos rally to give of himself. He had time for ' everyone, and everyone was equal in his eyes. Yesterday is but a memory, tomorrow Oom' means 'Uncle' in Afrikaans and is commonly used as a term of respect to eld- ers in Afrikaans culture. Editor. Stories behind the cover photographs

Erratum: Photograph no 3 on the back cover Winter 2004 - Cover Photographs of the Autumn 2004 Newsletter (Vol 13 No 1) is NOT "Vico Yellow"! This was pointed Photo No 1: Front Cover out to us very quickly by Sir Peter Smithers, This magnificent plant was awarded first writing from Switzerland, where he bred his place in the 'Yellow Miniata (narrow petal)' "Vico Yellow". He has kindly agreed to send class at the 2002 Cape Show. The proud the Society a recent photograph of "Vico owner is Riel Lötter who has written as fol- Gold" for this year's Yearbook. Mick Dower lows: "I first saw this plant in flower in 1994, has been asked to consider writing an arti- when visiting my father, Christo Lötter. It is cle, to be published later, which will cover one of a selection from a cross that he had both the Vico plants and the plant we pic- done in 1989, between a plant from Jim tured in error. Apologies to Sir Peter and to Holmes (C1) and one from his brother, the readers we confused! Wessel Lötter (C2). One must remember

14 that back then, 15 years ago, yellows were had to search around for suitable pollen - in still as scarce as hen's teeth. Christo was an era when yellows were still rare. then making every attempt to widen his gene pool, and Jim only parted with his special He found the solution by collecting its pollen, plant on condition that Christo shared the and then using it on a yellow belonging to the resulting seeds with him. late Willie Olivier, when that plant flowered in September. He was able to collect the seeds C1 has pale yellow flowers which open wide, and went forward from there, repeatedly whilst C2 is a darker yellow, with petals that inter-crossing and selecting, to develop his recurve more, creating a nice full umbel. 'New Dawn' strain. The best plants have Christo sowed the seed from this cross and large round umbels with well over 30 florets. grew the seedlings on to maturity, before Some produce two umbels at a time (see selecting out those with both the darkest yel- this photo). Jim does not know the origin of low and most open flowers. For the very first the Olivier plant, which was brought to the time I saw plants with round full heads on Cape from Natal around 30 years ago. I sturdy stems. wonder what happened to it after Willie's death? My father gave me this plant in 1994 - what a present and what a privilege! The day Jim's plant that we picture here could well be Christo gives you a seedling, and tells you related to Riel's plant described above (photo not to part with it, you know you are getting 1). Note Riel's reference to unusual flower- a very special plant, for he has the ability to ing time and a tendency to produce two choose parent plants that produce winners. umbels at the same time. All the plants, which my son Jaco and I now use in our breeding, originally came from my Photo No 3 father. In September 2002, for the first time Sean Chubb writes: "The plant pictured won in the years that I had owned my C1/2, it the best 'First flowering seedling any colour' cooperated by flowering at just the right time at the first South African Championship show for the Show. Not only did it flower in time, hosted by the KZN Clivia Club in but it also produced two umbels. I could at Pietermaritzburg in 2002. It is a seedling last display it at a Show, as a tribute to my grown from seed from a cross between two father. Christo has produced many plants very well known Group 2 Yellow clones, with similar characteristics, from this C1 x namely 'Natal Yellow' and 'Pat's Gold'. This C2 cross. They now feature in the collec- particular plant is a good example of what is tions of enthusiasts far and wide". produced by this cross. The plant was not Photo No 2 (Back Cover) named, as I felt at the time that it did not match up to a previously named clone of This plant came first in the 'Yellow Miniata Group 2 Yellow, 'First Born' which flowered in (Broad petal)' class at the 2002 Cape Show. 2001. The cross between 'Natal Yellow' and It is one of the yellows that have emerged 'Pat's Gold' has produced many bright and from Jim Holmes' breeding programme, bold yellows with good rich yellow coloura- which dates back to 1976. Nearly all of Jim's tion. genetic material is descended from two plants. One plant is an offshoot from a yel- Some years ago I was inspired by Wessel low collected in the Karkloof in the early Lötter to try to get to the bottom of Group 2 1900's, handed down in the Tod family. It Yellow breeding. Cynthia Giddy distributed flowers in August and is self-sterile, so Jim the well- known 'Natal Yellow' which was found to produce only orange flowering

15 seedlings when crossed with almost all Group 2 Yellows may produce red spots or other yellows. This led to the belief that one smudges on the flower as they mature, are could not produce yellow flowering offspring damaged or become wet. This is the give from 'Natal Yellow'. Even when 'selfed' it away sign of a Group 2 Yellow. The miscon- seemed to produce only orange seedlings. ception that Goup 2 Yellows only produce This was subsequently found to be because orange flowering seedlings when selfed is 'Natal Yellow' is very receptive to foreign also not true as 'Dwesa Yellow' does produce pollen but does not self-pollinate. This was a few unpigmented seedlings when selfed. discovered only by self-pollination in a con- The crossing of two Group 2 yellows will trolled environment. result in 100% unpigmented yellow-flower- ing seedlings. Some named clones of Group 2 Yellows are: Of the Group 2 Yellows, 'Natal Yellow' and Natal Yellow — distributed by Cynthia 'Pat's Gold' have the richest colour and have Giddy. Thought to be wild collected. Offsets very rapidly, flowers late in the season, flo- been used extensively by myself to breed rets open lime green but fade to yellow. rich yellow colored Clivia. 'Natal Yellow' Formerly misnamed 'Natal Yellow B'. This is opens with a green hue but fades to yellow a fairly common clone and photos can be as the flower matures. This attribute is being found in Yearbook '98 pg.35 no.25, as well concentrated on in my breeding. I am trying as in The Clivia Review '98. to produce yellows which will retain the green hue in the mature flower [as opposed Cynthia's Best — grown by Cynthia Giddy to a green centre]. Group 2 Yellows are still but not widely distributed since it does not a rarity and only make up a very small per- offset readily. Cynthia's second clone and is centage of the total Yellow population. In my thought to be wild collected. Formerly mis- opinion Group 2 Yellows are well worth named 'Natal Yellow A'. It is a rare clone, growing and have many good qualities about pictured in The Clivia Review '98. them. Dwesa Yellow — Distributed initially by Eric 'Natal Yellow' was used as the pod parent for Dodds of Pioneer nursery in Gonubie. Wild a cross with 'Naude's Peach'. All seedlings collected in the Dwesa forest of the Transkei. produced were pigmented ; a disappoint- Has a fairly low floret count on the umbel. ment initially … until these began to flower. Has well shaped florets with light yellow The results were the most interesting pastels flowers. Offsets fairly well. with large white, yellow or green throats, Smith's Yellow — Owned by Brian Tarr of which develop a pink blush throughout each the National Botanical Gardens in flower as it matures." Pietermaritzburg. Thought to be wild col- lected. Formerly misnamed 'Transkei Yellow' Our comment on 'Pat's Gold': his plant and 'Tsolo Yellow'. Very similar to 'Dwesa sounds as though it could be descended Yellow' as far as the flower goes but seems from one of two plants found flowering in to have a different growth habit. 1988 at "The Wilds", in Johannesburg by Rod Saunders, then of the NBI and now of Pat's Gold — Owned by Pat Gore. Originally "Silverhill Seeds". He sent them down to bought from Kirstenbosch as an unpigment- Cape Town where they now form part of the ed yellow seedling. Probably the best of all Clivia collection at Kirstenbosch. Graham the Group 2 Yellows. A large robust plant Duncan described them as Butter Yellow. which does not offset readily. Seedlings were subsequently made available

16 to the public - and Pat Gore was at the right ous plant. It also produces a much larger place at the right time to get one. crop of seed. The objective in breeding with 'Noyce's Sunburst' is to produce offspring Photo no. 4 which will resemble it when in flower, be This attractive plant grown and owned by more vigorous, and also be good seed pro- Norman Weitz of the Northern Clivia Club is ducers." a cross between a nobilis and a yellow mini- I wonder how much money has been raised ata. He tells us that the leaves have the char- for the NBI over the years from the sale of, acteristics of a nobilis, with the grey central for example, seedlings from the cross streak on the leaves. He has self pollinated 'Kirstenbosch Supreme' x 'Noyce's some flowers and put pollen from a yellow Sunburst'? miniata onto the rest. Interestingly, all the seedlings have unpigmented stems. Photo No 6 Norman is a keen collector and breeder of Ian Brown, the owner of this plant, writes, interspecifics. "Not much is known about the history of this plant. It came second in the 'Narrow petal Photo no. 5 yellow' class at the Cape Show in 2002. This is a photo of THE famous 'Noyce's Gert Wiese gave me a sucker a few years Sunburst', a magnificent plant, I think all will back and he tells me he obtained it as a fair- agree. John Winter writes: ly large plant from someone who had bought it in Hermanus. Christo Lötter or Les Brown "Michael Noyce was a member of the Board probably bred it. The flower is fairly ordi- of Trustees of the NBI who lived in Kloof, not nary but has a good shape and the overall far inland from . He donated five C. balance of the plant gives it a certain charm. miniata var. citrina plants to Kirstenbosch. It also produces twins as in this photo." When they flowered, Graham Duncan, the horticulturalist in charge of the bulb collec- Could this plant, with its twinning tendency, tion named one of them 'Noyce's Sunburst'. be related to the plants in photos 1 and 2? Its inflorescens is very similar to that of John van der Linde 'Kirstenbosch Yellow', but it is a more vigor-

17 Correspondence

Pollination by moths? pathological horror of the creatures near my plants' after the blight of this years amarylis I have recently joined the Northern Clivia caterpillars, I was determined to catch and Club although I have had contact with clivia remove it. However I noticed it flying into enthusiasts for some years. The destruction the flowers and not under the leaves. I real- wrought by last year's frost refocused my ized it was after the nectar, having a feeding attention on my "ordinary" - to quote a friend frenzy. - clivias I'd grown from seed but neglected to the extent that they have not yet bloomed. I passed on the information to two of my col- Hopefully they'll do so this year after some leagues and here are their comments: intensive TLC. Prof Hannes Robbertse wrote: "Dankie vir I recently visited the nurseries of Bertie die inligting. Ek het lankal vermoed dat Guillaume and Arthri Wessels and bought clivias deur motte bestuif word omdat hulle some twenty plants in bloom. I arrived back veral in die aand 'n sagte geur het - selfs die in the late evening in Pretoria and carried gewone oranje." [Thanks for the information. them indoors. I noticed the strong azalea- I have long suspected that moths pollinate like perfume as I moved them, the first time clivias, particularly in the evening when they I'd been aware of the phenomenon although have a gentle fragrance - even the ordinary I'd read about it with regard to yellows. oranges]. These clivia are all in the broad leaf, orange- Prof Clarke Scholtz (entomologist) wrote: red range although most have clear deep "Its a common species of Trichoplusia yellow throats. (Noctuidae). No known records feeding on Later the same night I noticed a large moth Clivia. Adults attracted to flowers but it on them and, having by now developed a sounds as if the Clivias have a special attrac-

18 tion, perhaps some pheromone-like chemi- To think, after our marriage when we were cal." stationed in the then Transkei, at Wilo, that we must have been "surrounded" by clivias Of course many questions now arise: and, later, stationed in Swaziland, when agili- • These Clivia were blooming out of season ty posed no problems, we once came upon and out of habitat. Which then are the this most spectacular beautiful view - clivias seasonal moths that are the pollinators? in full bloom. • Is the flower shape and perfume a specif- Today I am still 'window shopping' what with ic evolutionary adaptation for moth polli- all the beautiful pictures of clivias appearing nation? in the Clivia Yearbook. I can still dream • What are the pheromones associated though, can't I? with the azalea-like perfume? • Do moths also pollinate azaleas? Jennifer du Plessis • Does the yellow colouring help attract Box 803 moths? Umtentweni • Is the yellow associated with the per- 4235 fume? • Does anybody know? "The Bearded Man is a 1445m high peak on Roger Fisher. the Swaziland-Mpumalanga border, capped by a patch of evergreen forest 'Window shopping' …". (Rourke, J 2003. Natural interspecifics Few people, I think, upon reaching the age of hybrids in C. miniata x C. caulescens hybrids 60 are left without regrets about past deci- from Mpumalanga, Clivia 5, p78) sions made. I think most of us who have passed the first Dr. John Rourke's contribution about The flush of youth wish we had started our clivia Bearded Man's clivia population (Clivia 5, collections when we were younger. page 78) revived not only good memories, However, some opportunities may have but also a sincere regret at not having start- been missed, but we must make the most of ed my clivia collection years ago. the time which lies ahead and enjoy our plants. How very privileged you were to When my husband was forest manager at observe when you did so many clivia grow- Shannon quite a few years back, he took me ing in the wild. If you have access to a com- 'window shopping' at both sightings on The puter and e-mail it is well worthwhile joining Bearded Man. He was not only a dedicated the Clivia E-group where, almost daily, col- forester, but an ardent conservationist as lectors all over the world display their best well, so I was allowed to take only a few blooms. There are also several websites plants of each species for my garden. He Saunderswith magnificent 'flava' pictures on them. Editor. did, however, collect a few of each species When I joined the Northern Clivia Club I for the Botanical Gardens at Nelspruit, as did bought a set of back copies of the Clivia Club Mr. D Jackson, manager prior to him. newsletters. If I recall correctly it was in the I had at that stage a very large collection of July 1998 edition that Cynthia Giddy's yel- azaleas but have as recently as four years lows were discussed. Koopowitz writes in ago become an ardent clivia admirer and am his book Clivia' that a description of a yellow trying to extend my very meagre collection. clivia was published in The Gardeners'

19 Chronicle (p235) in 1899, which, because Kew with the bulb by Maud". Her painting the description does not match Katherine certainly doesn't show the subtleties of Saunders' painting, might point to a second colour she describes. The representation yellow variety having reached England at the alone should therefore not be used for draw- same time. ing conclusions. I have recently acquired a copy of The I read that amongst Giddy's yellows were Paintings of Katherine Saunders. Botanical offsets of both the Saunders' plants and an and Biographical Notes and Explanations by ancestor of Vico yellow. Are these not then Emeritus Prof. A. Bayer published by the related? Tongaat Group in 1979. Plate 20 is of the 'Clivia miniata var. flava' and her note says, Roger Fisher. "Yellow Imantophyllum from Eshowe, flower withering after being two days in a post bag. Most lovely, delicate, peculiar shade of yel- Yes, these may well be related. Cynthia low, not orange, but like straw colour mixed Giddy had several yellow varieties in her col- with pink, quite inimitable by me. October lection. Have our members any comments 8th 1893. This drawing has been sent to to make? See article below for other inter- esting anecdotes about the Saunders' fami- ly. Editor. Some early names associated with Clivia: (7) the Saunders family

The story of the early discovery of a yellow ers-that-be at Kew, to whom she sent paint- Clivia miniata has become part of clivia folk- ings and dried plant specimens. She lore; one or two plants were found, around believed that the naming of a plant in ones 1888, in the Entumeni Forest, Eshowe, and honour was the finest accolade a collector grown by Sir Michael Osborne and Charles could attain. Saunders, then resident magistrate. He sent As early as 1877 this strong-willed and a plant, with a flower, to his mother Katharine pushy little Victorian lady persuaded the Saunders, a sugar farmer's wife cum botani- Curator of the Durban Botanic Gardens to cal collector and artist, living at Tongaat. approach Kew and do this for her - hence She did a watercolour painting, which was Haemanthus katherinae! [now known as sent, with a plant, to Kew in England, where multiflorus subspecies katharinae] it was duly named Clivia Miniata var.citrina. Having her (misspelled!) first name recog- But she can be remembered for much more. nized like this was not enough for her, so she The 30-year-old Katharine Saunders arrived later wrote directly to Kew asking that a plant in Durban from England in 1854 with her be "named in such a manner as to immortal- husband James - and her grand piano. They ize myself and my son by giving the genus settled at Tongaat Estate, north of Durban, our surname". Today no less than five plants where he was first manager and then propri- bear the species name 'Saundersiae' to com- etor. Within a year of her arrival, she had memorate her and her son. She died in begun painting wild flowers. Her interest in 1901. plants led to correspondence with the pow-

20 Charles Saunders worked his way up the lad- Slasher". Significantly, his wife Katharine did der in the Natal Civil Service, becoming not seek to have his name commemorated Resident Commissioner and Chief Magistrate botanically! He was one of those pioneering of Zululand before retiring in 1909, with a settlers who cleared away the natural vege- knighthood, to his farm at Melmoth. The tation (including clivia habitat?) to make way botanist who wrote a description of the yel- for plantations. So let us clivia low clivia in Flowering Plants of Southern people rather remember his plant-minded Africa, 1931 edition, interviewed him. He wife and son. James Saunders is of course said that a number of offshoots had been otherwise remembered for the heritage he distributed from his original plant, and also has left in Tongaat Sugar, one of South that plants had been grown from seed. "The Africa's premier sugar companies, and for fact that all plants raised from seed have yel- the contributions that he and his descen- low flowers indicates that we are dealing dants have made to so many other aspects with a pure strain", said the writer in F.P.S.A. of life in South Africa. Brian Tarr has written (Clivia 2) that Sir References Charles Saunders' daughter, Mrs. M.M.K Robinson, inherited his plants on his death in 1935 and grew them in Pietermaritzburg until at least the mid-1960's. Natal, the Garden Colony, by Donald McCracken What of the father, James Saunders: Should Botanical Exploration of Southern Africa, by we remember him for anything to do with JohnGunn vanand derCodd Linde Clivias? Well, he was known as the "Tongaat Flowering Plants of Southern Africa (1931) Clivia clubs and interest groups

EASTERN PROVINCE CLIVIA CLUB a garden underneath the trees. Thus on the morning of 9 March, Charl Coetzee and I Donation of Clivia plants went on our way to the Aurora Centre with a 'bakkie' [lorry] load of adult Clivia plants gen- During the course of 2003 our Committee erously donated by Dennis Todkill, Welland decided to launch an ongoing donation proj- Cowley, Charl Coetzee, Andrè Calitz and ect to promote Clivia in our province. Our Gideon Botha. Paddy, the lady in charge of members were requested to identify a suit- the centre was completely in the clouds. able institution, retirement village, or organi- With hands waving and expressions of grat- zation to which we could donate Clivias to be itude she took us to where she wanted to planted in their garden. plant the Clivia. With the able assistance of At our AGM in February 2004, Elize Larson Marietjie, Aurora inmates and Charl, and with told us that the Aurora Institution for handi- ample compost donated by Danie Lategan of capped persons in Port Elizabeth had opened C.S.M. Organics, the forty plants were soon an additional complex on a property with transferred into the garden. We hope to have lots of shady trees on it and that the at least two of these donations per year. Governing Body was very eager to establish We were treated to freshly baked sausage

21 rolls and tea and were invited to see the Jim Shields' clivias in Indiana on Lake Clivia when they are in flower. Michigan Willie Le Roux In summer in Indiana there are normally warm humid days as well as nights. The Oom Fred Relocates afternoon temperatures are around 30º C and nights are at about 18º C. There are Oom Fred Gibello, founder member of the occasional thunderstorms but very rarely Eastern Province Clivia Club has decided to droughts. move to Melkbosstrand in the Western Cape. His attendance at our meetings and shows, Clivias are moved outdoors in May when the willingness to share his experience of many danger of frost is past. The plants are kept years with all, regular donations of plants under high or dappled shade, because some- (not only to the Club but also to many mem- times the temperature may reach 40º C in bers) and of course his friendly smile, will summer. Mr. Shields prefers using dark surely be missed by us all. green shade netting with 70 % sun block but thinks that 50 % may work well. Keeping the Thank you very much Oom Fred for your plants too dark may substantially hinder their contribution in building our Club. We wish growth. you and Hilda the best of health and happy years ahead in your new home and may the In winter temperatures drop well below 0º C Good Lord watch over you. and although very rarely, even to minus 28º C! During February temperatures range Willie and the E.P. Committee. between -15 and -25º C. Weeks may pass New secretary with the temperature below 0º C. Because it is likely to become extremely cold in the Cynthia Le Roux is our new Secretary. Her green house clivias need to be protected. contact particulars are Tel / Fax 041 - 360 Some grower's only solution is to bring the 3480 e-mail [email protected]. plants into their homes where it is probably too warm and too dark! The ambient light NORTHERN CLIVIA CLUB levels are very low in winter with very dim Some Clivia breeding in North America winter sunlight. During their visit to South Africa, Mr. & Mrs. During the winter plants in the greenhouse Jim Shields attended a luncheon at the Dros are kept in cool temperatures ranging from restaurant in Menlo Park, Pretoria on 16 May 5º C to 15º C. They are also kept bone dry 2004, and Jim delivered a presentation to for four weeks (one month). After a month about 50 members of the Northern Clivia of thirst starvation they start watering very Club. cautiously and sparingly. A month later growers add liquid feeding to the water. He described the conditions under which he grows clivias in Indiana and those of three The Amaryllis Lily borer is non-existent in other big growers in the United States whom the USA and they suffer mostly at the hands he visited in March 2004. He showed pic- (mouths) of the mealy bug! tures of some of the trophy plants from their Visit to David Jay Conway of Santa Barbara collections. He first tended to his own in California 'lovelies' for the summer season before flying out to South Africa with his wife for a Santa Barbara (on the Pacific ocean) is north month's holiday. of Los Angeles on the west coast of the 22 United States. tually completely red with a little white spot at the tips of petals. David is now retired but when younger used to be a landscape architect and the Director Jean Delphine - Completely dark red, only of Parks for Santa Barbara. He is a premier anther and stigma is yellow, not as deep a grower of named clivias and probably owns red as Sabrine Delphine. the reddest 'reds' in the world. His breeds of Sabrine Delphine and Ramona (particolored) Tessa - Peach pastel - quite beautiful with may be seen in Koopovitz's book on Clivia. smallish tulip type flowers. ['Particolored' is a term used by David Ellexa - An apricot-coloured clivia, very sim- Conway for plants where flowers open pale, ilar to Tessa but flowers are bigger. Both then darken. It often happens with pinks and excellent plants and flowers. creams and the flowers are sometimes blotched with another colour.] David only Gillian - A new one and much lighter version grows and breeds with the miniata species of the previous two. Very light transparent of clivias. yellow. Nice big round full posy of flowers. Doris - A dark orange-red. Ramona - One of David's particolored plants. Ramona was made famous by Sabrine Delphine - Magnificent -flower vir- Koopovitz's Clivia book. Top half of the

23 flower is orange, bottom half is yellow. Tips Peach - A very nice quality flower. of flowers are white. Proteus - A very unique plant in James's col- Isabella is a magnificent flower of pink yel- lection - highlighted spots on the flower, low light orange pastel. To say that this plant almost white. stands out in the greenhouse when in flower Peach and Picotee - Bright dark yellow from puts it mildly! The bi-tone (two or more tints Proteus. per petal) affect on each petal when the new flower opens is wonderful. As the USA has Peach Seedling - A lovely peach from no Clivia judges or shows one can appreci- Proteus. ate that they struggle with all the particol- Painted nails -Very, very pretty highly pat- oreds, subtle pastels and color variations. terned flowers. However, they do use the Cape Clivia Club colour chart. Mr. Shields stressed yet again Visit to Joe Solomone of Monterey, south the point of how difficult it sometimes is to of San Francisco on the Pacific Ocean obtain true colours in pictures. Mr. Solomone is 80 years young and keeps Hannah - A beautiful delicate subtle particol- his plants under 1.2 hectares (3 acres) of ored clivia plastic glass. He owns a broad leaf plant with 16 cm wide leaves. Free love - Three red flowers -three white flowers and two still closed white flowers all Joe founded the Monterey Bay Nursery and sold it 15 years ago. He is a very charming on the same stem, buds almost white before man and his wife Barbara and daughter help opening .The 'white' open flowers have a to make his hobby of growing the most light lemon- lime colour. It definitely looks as beautiful flower in the world a truly rewarding if "something might have mixed in" with this experience. The following are some special plant and it will be very interesting to see if clivias in his collection: the second flowers will be the same. Salmon peach Seedling - Quite a beautiful Visit to James Comstock of Los Angeles pastel. James is a much younger man than David Peach Seedling 1 - Golden deep yellow - Conway and being a landscape architect lovely. practices as a professional landscaper. As a bachelor he has saved himself many family Peach Seedling 2 - A bright sunlight peach. brawls about a certain clivia plant and all it's New directions for Clivia in the USA offspring! His interest in clivias is purely a hobby. He never sells or trades for love or • The general excitement about pastel col- money so be warned! James might be will- ors is really hotting up. ing to trade, but then definitely on the basis • The broader meaning of the color peach. of "what you have" and not on the basis of • Multi-colored or patterned flowers. "what you want"! • Future possibilities include Multipetals, Polytepals and all the Chinese specialties. Comstock Red Seedling - the real McCoy as far as red is concerned! This is the best red version I have laid my eyes on. The camera Sakkie Nel does not lie because the photo with the color Member of the Northern Clivia Club chart shows that the flower quality is Lynnwood, Pretoria between the last two reds on the chart. May 30, 2004

24 LOWVELD CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP A decision was taken at the last general meeting to draw up a code of conduct for the The Lowveld Clivia Interest Group was group with respect to upholding standards established in November 2003 at the inaugu- and the good name of all clivia growers. All ral meeting held at the Lowveld Botanical members will be expected to sign and Gardens in Nelspruit. The formation of the acknowledge the code. Please forward Interest Group would not have been possible comments and suggestions on this topic to without the valued support and guidance of either Ian Radmore or Daan Dekker. Should Mr. Tino Ferrero and Dr. Peter Lambert of the you visit the Lowveld or Mpumalanga please Northern Clivia Club with whom we are affil- do not hesitate to pay us a visit. iated. Clivia greetings to all. Nineteen members joined the group in November 2003 and membership steadily Daan Dekker (Chairperson) Tel (013) 750- increased to thirty-six members by April 2774 Cell 084 581 0368 2004. A few well-known long time clivia Ian Radmore (Secretary) Tel (013) 751- growers in the Lowveld have also joined the 2051 Cell 082 379 0405 group. Our first show is being planned with much enthusiasm and some trepidation for E-mail address:- [email protected] 11 and 12 September 2004. A Lowveld Postal address: P O Box 1146, White River, Clivia emblem is currently in the planning 1240 stage and should be launched within the next few months.

2004 Clivia shows in South Africa

28 August: Annual Exhibition/Show – 18 September: Mini show at Kloof - Waterberg Boslelieklub KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club 4 & 5 September: Annual Show – Northern 18 & 19 September: Annual Show – Metro Clivia Club Interest Group 4 & 5 OR 11 & 12 September: Annual show 18 & 19 September: Annual Show – Cape - KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club Clivia Club 9 to 12 September: Annual Show/Exhibition 25 & 26 September: Annual Show – Eastern – Soutpansberg Interest Group Province Clivia Club 11 September: Annual Clivia Show – 2 & 3 October: Annual Show –Garden Route Northern KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Interest Group 11 September: Annual Show/Exhibition – 9 & 10 October: Annual Exhibition - New Free State Interest Group Zealand Clivia Club

25 2005 Clivia symposium at Huntington

Hello to all the Clivia enthusiasts out there: trying to guesstimate the number of atten- Good News and Bad News. The Good news dees. is that we will be holding the next Huntington Symposium at the world famous Huntington 1. If you would like to present a paper or Botanic Gardens on the last weekend in poster also let me know together with the March 2005. Bad news is that this falls on title of your presentation. an Easter weekend. Sorry, but the weekend 2. If you plan on attending please also let me prior is already taken by the Bonsai society know and estimate the number in your and their show. Doing it earlier or later than party. those two weekends means missing the 3. If you are prepared to judge the show let peak of the flowering season. me know too. 4. If you want to reserve space to sell seeds The Huntington, the North American Clivia or plants I need to know that also Society and possibly one of the local Bulb E-mail the above information back to me at Societies will sponsor the meeting. We the following address [email protected] would like to hold a judged Clivia show and I invite judges from other regions of the world Cheers to come and judge here. At this time we are Harold Koopowitz

For Sale

Advertisements. Tariffs for advertising in point out that it is difficult to quote a fixed price the Clivia Society Newsletter: without knowing the method of payment and delivery. We suggest you contact Bossie de Smalls (1 to 6 lines): R25.00 Kock (the treasurer) via e-mail at: Smalls (7 to 10 lines): R30.00 [email protected] or by fax at Quarter page: R70.00 +27 12 804 8892 and list the items you are Half page: R125.00 interested in as well as the name of the coun- Full Page: R250.00 try in which you reside. Bossie would then A5 separate page insert: R600.00 be in a position to suggest the most eco- A4 separate page insert: R800.00 nomical option. Australian, UK and USA (You will be sent an account from the treas- members are reminded that they can order urer for the appropriate amount.) via Ken Smith, Dr Hamish Sloan and Michael Morri respectively see covers for contact From the Clivia Society: detail. Also note that further discounts can Overseas members can order back volume be negotiated with Bossie for orders exceed- copies of the yearbooks and newsletters (since ing 10 of a specific item. The following items 1992) via the society. South African members are available: should approach their local branches. We must 26 Item Approximate price (US $) Yearbook 5 15 Yearbook 4 10 Yearbook 3 Out of stock Yearbook 2 6* Yearbook 1 6* Volumes 1(1992) to 11 (2002) of newsletters 10 per volume* Hints on growing Clivia – hard copy 5* Hints on growing Clivia – electronic PDF format 3* International membership list – hard copy 3* International membership list – electronic format No charge* * Including postage and banking charges if paid by credit card. Contact Bossie de Kock for quotation re payments made by cheque.

Private advertisements: Swamp gardenii and miniata seed and Clivia species, interspecifics and specialities. seedlings available from various Natal and Participate in our coordinated imports and Transkei locations. Phone Andrew (039) 3135024 exports of seeds and plants - Asia, ANZ, N. Am. a/h or cell 082 7845401. & Eu. Connie Abel, Pretoria, +27-12-3616406 or Clivia miniata: Creams, yellows, peaches, apri- [email protected] cots, reds, pastels and polychromes. Seed, Yellow Nogqaza strains from R15 to R120. seedlings, mature plants and offsets of stock Orange from R1 to R6 for mature plants. Delivery plants bred and selected over 25 years. Contact anywhere. SOUTH AFRICAN CLIVIA PLANTATION, Bing Wiese, Pretoria tel/fax (012) 460 6382 to Box 855, Hilton 3245. Call 082- 955 5433. view. Clivia miniata. Seed R100 per kilogram. Year old Thurlow Flora: We have on offer a large variety plants R2 each. Roly Strachan, Box 57, Highflats of carefully bred seedlings and mature plants for 3306 or Tel. (039) 835 0085 evenings only. sale. We specialize in pastel colours, oddities, Clivia miniata F1 (yellow x orange), “pinks” and species and original wild collected and named pastels, flowering size @ R12. Clivia miniata yel- clones of clivia. Mail order and visitors welcome. lows, flowering size @ R150. C. miniata ‘Stef’s For our latest plant list please contact Sean and Perfume’ @ R18,00. Extra for postage and pack- Terri Chubb. Tel: 031 7811978 e-mail: aging. Dries Bester, PO Box 75, Levubu 0929. [email protected] We also have available a few Tel/Fax (015) 583 0299. hundred different named daylily clones. Beginner’s luck With the shows approaching in the Southern If scapes start growing in one direction Hemisphere it is time for those enthusiasts towards light, turn plants in pots regularly so who plan to show their clivias to start that the scape grows upright. This will also preparing. Lower leaves which are damaged prevent flowers from facing in one direction. should be discarded now so that the whitish area exposed on the leaf bases has time to Water should be meagre at this time with turn green before showing. light applications of fertilizer a little later on. Meg Hart. 27 Hart) were horrified when funny names started appearing. A number of these could be reported but Lily Borer was horrified when the names Bessie Guillotine, Anthrax Weasels, Cobs Roast, Bossier de Kick, Apart Worst and Both Balas inadvertently appeared! Knowing no members with these names, the spell check programme was rerun to find that they were intended for Bertie Guillaume, Arthri Wessels, Cobus Roos, Bossie de Kock, Aart van Voorst and Lily Borer reports from the editor's study Botha Bilas. If any others have been mis- where strange things have been happening. spelled, sincere apologies are offered. While doing the proofreading and spelling check Lily Borer and Mealy Bug (Graeme Lily Borer (Brithys pancratii).

28 CONTACT DETAILS FOR CLIVIA CLUBS AND INTEREST GROUPS

Cape Clivia Club: Joy Woodward (Secretary). PO Box 53219, Kenilworth, 7745. Tel (h) +27 21 671 7384, Tel (w) +27 21 799 8768, Fax +27 21 797 0002. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Eastern Province Willie le Roux (Chairperson) PO Box 19292, Linton Grange, Port Clivia Club: Elizabeth, 6015. Tel & Fax: +27 41-360 3480. E-mail: [email protected] KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club: Sean Chubb (Chairperson). Thurlow Farm, PO Box 126, Eston, 3740. Tel & Fax: +27 31 781 1978. E-mail: [email protected] Nor thern Clivia Club: Lena van der Merwe (Secretary). PO Box 74868, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040. Tel & Fax: +27 12 804 8892. E-mail: [email protected] Border Interest Group: Stella van Gass (Chairperson). 16 Greenan Street, Berea, East London, 5241. Tel +27 43 721 2964 Free State Clivia: Hennie van der Mescht, 18 Mettam Street, Fichardt Park, Bloemfontein, 9322. Tel. +27 51 522 9530. Fax: +27 51 436 4340. E-mail: [email protected] Garden Route Gerrie Brits (Chairperson). Tel: +27 44 8028420. Clivia Interest Group: Fax: +27 44 8707550. Cell: 082 7385 842. E-mail [email protected] Metro Group: Glynn Middlewick (Chairperson). 2 Willow Road, Northcliff, 2195. Tel +27 11 476 1463. E-mail: [email protected] Northern KZN: Dries Olivier. PO Box 8783, Newcastle, 2940. Tel +27 83 264 6230. Fax: +27 34 318 6667. E-mail: [email protected] Waterberg Boslelieklub: An Jacobs. PO Box 3893, Nylstroom, 0510. Tel & Fax: +27 14 717 2674. E-mail: [email protected] Zoutpansberg: Anneke Stroebel (Secretary). PO Box 1712, Louis Trichardt, 0920. Tel +27 83 326 6073. Fax +27 15 516 5710. E-mail: [email protected] Lowveld interest group: Ian Radmore (Secretary). PO Box 1146, White River, 1240 Tel: +27 13 751 2051. E-mail: [email protected]

EDITOR OF NEWSLETTER Meg Hart. 70 The Valley Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193. Tel & Fax +27 11 646 9392, E-mail: [email protected]

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Cobus Roos. Tel 082 416 6178, E-mail: [email protected]

CLIVIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman: Chris Vlok, PO Box 99583, Garsfontein 0060, Tel H + 27 12 998 5942, e-mail: [email protected] Secretary: Lena van der Merwe, PO Box 74868, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040, Tel & Fax +27 12 804 8892, e-mail: [email protected] Vice-Chairman: John van der Linde, 1 Wheelan Str.. Newlands, 7700 Tel & Fax +27 21 671 4535. e-mail: [email protected] Treasurer: Bossie de Kock, PO Box 38539, Garsfontein, 0042, Tel +27 12 998 3620, e-mail: [email protected] Office Bearer: Ken Smith, 593 Hawkesbury Rd., Winmalee, NSW 2777, Australia. Tel +61 2 47543287. E- mail: [email protected]

REPRESENTATIVES OF CONSTITUENT CLIVIA CLUBS

Cape: Claude Felbert, Felicity Weeden, GertWiese Eastern Province: Willie le Roux, Charl Coetzee Northern: Lena van der Merwe, Peter Lambert, Bossie de Kock KwaZulu-Natal: Sean Chubb

REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS MEMBERS

Keith Hammett. 488C Don Buck Rd, Massey, Auckland 8, New Zealand. Tel +64 9 833-9453. E-mail: [email protected] Michael Morri, PO. Box 192, Union City, Michigan 49094 USA. Direct enquiries to Michael at either tel. (517) 741-4769 or E-mail: [email protected] Ken Smith, 593 Hawkesbury Rd., Winmalee, NSW 2777, Australia. Tel + 61 2 47543287. E-mail: [email protected] Aart van Voorst. Frederick Hendriklaan 49, Hillegom, TE 2181, Netherlands. Tel: +31 252529679; email: [email protected]

OTHER OVERSEAS CONTACT PERSONS FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

United Kingdom Dr Hamish Sloan, 40 Wendan Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7AF, England, UK. Tel: 044 1635 47417; e-mail: [email protected] New Zealand Di Smith, 71 Taylor Road, Mangere Bridge, Auckland, New Zealand. Tel: (09) 634 6807 or 021 231 9200; e-mail: [email protected]

(Continued on inside back cover) CLIVIA SOCIETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Inside front cover EDITORIAL-Meg Hart 2 FROM THE CHAIRMAN — Chris Vlok 3 STORIES BEHIND THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHS — John van der Linde 4 CORRESPONDENCE 6 A bedtime story - The Clivia Fairy 6 Clivias in China - Sakkie Nel 6 An interesting adjunct on Katherine Saunders - Roger Fisher 8 THEY LIVE IN ALLIANCE WITH NATURE - Paul Edmunds (Submitted by Roger Fisher) 9 SOME EARLY NAMES ASSOCIATED WITH CLIVIA — NO. 8 ROBERT DYER — John van der Linde 12

WIN SEED WITH YOUR CLIVIA PHOTOS — Claude Felbert 13 IN MEMORIAM - A TRIBUTE TO AMMIE GROBLER — Cobus Roos 15 CLIVIA CLUBS AND INTEREST GROUPS 16 EASTERN PROVINCE CLIVIA CLUB 16 Open meeting and Interspecific Show — Willie le Roux 16 2004 show report - Willie le Roux 16 GARDEN ROUTE CLIVIA CLUB 17 2004 show report - Gerrie Britz 17 NORTHERN CLIVIA CLUB 18 Gedenkdiens vir Ammie Grobler:16 September 2004— Peter Lambert 18 CAPE CLIVIA CLUB 19 Centenarian celebration at Kirstenbosch — Marlene Bilas 19 FOR SALE 20 BEGINNER’S LUCK — Show preparation — Meg Hart 21 ON THE COMPOST HEAP— Meg Hart 22

Views expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the Committee and the Clivia Society.

1 A mild winter brought the clivias on earlier compiled by Roger Dixon and Keith than usual this year. September is now over Hammett. The ‘Oprah’ clivia has been cho­ and the last of the clivia blooms are fading. sen and the name of the winning entry will We anxiously await the first summer rains soon be announced. Lily Borer hears it on the . (A weatherman says they would have won a ‘Best on Show’ on a pre­ usually appear ten days on either side of the vious occasion but lost points because of a 10 October). It has been a busy clivia sea­ dirty pot! A Clivia Society member celebrat­ son with shows starting in early spring and ed her hundredth birthday at Kirstenbosch in ending in late September. All the usual orga­ Cape Town. Sadly, Ammie Grobler has nizational efforts have had to be done for thepassed away in Pretoria. As a special tribute shows as well as all the common clivia to Ammie, it has been decided to publish tasks: harvesting berries, pollinating flowers, both contributions without translating the fertilizing plants and spraying against original documents into English. attacks from the Lily Borer. The theme for this spring is devoted to The popularity of clivia continues to grow Nature. Roger Fisher delves into archives with shows being bigger and better with and finds narratives that tell us more about increasingly magnificent plants and blooms female characters associated with clivia. on display. New cultivars with the most The piece on Katherine Saunders (of Tongaat superb shapes, sizes and colours appear and fame) describes her personality and idiosyn­ when sold go for astronomical prices. Greatcrasies and from the Cory Library at Rhodes care goes into preparing plants for shows University in Grahamstown a fascinating with not a mark on a leaf or pot, and thestory is told about the Blackbeard sisters. flowers on the umbels perfect posy-like Other tidbits on clivia come from ‘The Clivia spheres. The Northern Clivia Club (Pretoria) Fairy’ and Sakkie Nel who has written up a and Metro Group (Johannesburg) shows talk on Chinese Clivia. John van der Linde were held at nursery venues, the beautiful brings to a close his series on “Some early Safari and Garden World nurseries. As names associated with Clivia' with Robert shows get bigger and better, they are shown Dyer a pioneer who first described Clivia on the Internet but there is less enthusiasm caulescens. for reporting them in the newsletter. Willie le The summer lies ahead of us and we will all Roux and Gerie Britz are exceptions. They be watching our handiwork of the plantings report on the Eastern Province (Port as the season develops. The Editor and oth­ Elizabeth) and Garden Route (George) ers look forward to a spate of new growth shows respectively. and dreams of next spring. A draft document on ‘Standards’ has been Editor.

2 Dear Friends be published in the next newsletter. A docu­ ment reflecting the results of all the shows Very positive feedback was received regard­ will soon be ready (also on the website). ing all the shows. Congratulations and thank Members of South African clubs should con­ you for all the hard work that went into tact their club secretaries for copies of this organizing the eleven shows and exhibitions document. Overseas enthusiasts can con­ held in South Africa. Our friends in New tact either the Clivia Society secretary or one Zealand and Australia also had fantastic exhi­ of the Enthusiast representatives. bitions in their respective countries. Hats off to the Lowveld Interest Group who staged an We received just over twenty entries for the excellent first Clivia Show. They really did it “Finding Oprah project". Several of the own­ in style by also crowning Nicolette Steyn as ers who submitted entries indicated that they “Miss Clivia”. The Northern Clivia Club’s were prepared to donate a sucker to Ms decision to move to Safari Garden CentreWinfrey irrespective of the outcome of the (most probably the venue for the 2006 con­ judge’s decision. Judging took place on ference) proved to be a sound decision. The Monday 4 October at the offices of Eastern Province Clivia Club enrolled more Associated Magazines in Cape Town. The than 40 new members at their show. The Clivia Society was requested by the editor of phone calls I received on the evening of Oprah Magazine not to make an official Sunday 26 September were most exciting - announcement before certain formalities had the messages were short and sweet - been attended to. We hope to share the out­ “Watch the news - the Eastern Province come with you in the next newsletter. Thank Clivia Club’s show will be on TV." Well done you for the entries submitted by Sarel Eastern Province! Naude, Herman van Rensburg, Mick Dower, John Winter, Lien Joubert, Cobus Roos, Lena van der Merwe, Norman Weitz, Bertie Guillaume, Freddie de Kock, George Mann, Fred van Niekerk and Frans van Zyl. I am sure you all agree that John van der Linde, Claude Felbert and Roger Dixon did a great job on Yearbook 6 - they produced a publication that The Clivia Society is proud of. I would also like to thank everybody who contributed by forwarding articles and pho­ tographs. Without these inputs it would be impossible to produce yearbooks (and newsletters!!!). We in South Africa are also particularly pleased by the fact that New Zealand lately excels more in taking photo­ Unfortunately the Editor received only two graphs than scoring tries against South show reports in time for publication. We Africa on the rugby field. Congratulations to have since requested other clubs and inter­ Tony Barnes, the winner of the first photo­ est groups to submit show reports that will graphic competition and thank you to Claude

3 Felbert who promoted this initiative. Details send them to Roger Dixon so they may be of the second photographic competition discussed and incorporated into the final appear in this newsletter - please support document. We especially need colour meas­ this competition and the editorial team. urements to be made of your flowers to expand and complete our colour range termi­ The cooperation we received from clubs to nology, and assistance with the terminology our request to upload show photographs on for leaf appreciation. If you have photo­ www.cliviasociety.org could have been bet­ graphs which can show any of the various ter. We are nevertheless thankful for those terms or features discussed, we would wel­ photographs that have been posted to me or come them for the website. Please uploaded directly onto the website. Please resize/resample photos to 800 x 600 pixels. use a moment of your time to have a look at Roger can be contacted on +27 82 457 the photo gallery. Should you want to upload 5174 or at [email protected]. photographs on our website you are most welcome to contact me so that I can give youA word of welcome and thanks to Di Smith the required password. who has been appointed membership repre­ sentative for members in New Zealand. A draft document on guidelines for the clas­ sification and judging of Clivia has been Note that the Yearbook ‘Clivia Three’ has posted for comment and discussion on ourbeen reprinted. A copy can be ordered from website at the Society secretary or from your club. http://www.cliviasociety.org/clivia_guide_in I have been informed by John Winter that tro.php. If you do not have access to the Northern Cape Nature Conservation has web, please contact your club’s representa­ given approval for the release of Clivia tive on the Standards and Judging commit­ mirabilis seedlings in 2005. Full details will tee. A uniform and easily understandable be published in the next newsletter and com­ guideline to enable all to understand each municated to clubs. other when discussing their plants is very important. Please look at the document and Regards test it against your plants, if you have any­ thing to add, or comments to make, pleaseChris Vlok.

Photo No 1 - Front cover plant in the natural indigenous forests in the This plant is considered to be a distinct form so-called Wild Coast. He found several pop­ of Clivia, unlike any other known pendant ulations in the Umtentu River Valley in the types, and may well be judged to be a new Bizana district, close to where his parents species when described taxonomicaliy. Fred traded for many years. van Niekerk has named it ‘Maxima’. He says that this form has only been found in Fred grew up in the Transkei and recalls see­ the magnificent scenic area of the Bizana, ing this plant in his mother’s garden during Flagstaff and Lusikisiki districts in the early 1930’s. With this in mind, in Pondoland, (Mrs. Winnie Madigazela- September 1989 he went in search of the Mandela and the late Mr. Oliver Thambo,

4 were both bom there). In recent times this tend to have acute leaf tips. Inflorescences area has been prominently in the news since contain more flowers than other species. the proposed new Coastal National Road Plants vary in flower colour, and as Harold through the Transkei will carve it up. Koopowitz has written, a well-grown speci­ Plant description: The flowers are pendant men “with its large umbels of narrow, pen­ with up to 49 flowers on an umbel, which is dent, tubular flowers in shades of orange close to the number forC. nobilis and decid­ with contrasting green tepal tips can be quite edly more than any of the other well known memorable”. In other species with pendent pendant species - gardenii, Swamp or flowers, the petal tips recurve (see the gar ­ caulescens. denii in photos 3 and 4), whereas in nobilis they are straight. The stamens and style do When mature the plant reaches'a height of not normally extend or protrude beyond the more than a metre. The leaves are strap­ length of the tepals. Plants usually flower in shaped, approximately 55mm wide, up to a late spring. metre long and slightly serrated along the edges towards the tip, another similarity with C. nobilis . The leaf tip is moderately Photo No. 3 pointed, intermediate between nobilis and gardenii , and similar tocaulescens . In many A yellow-flowering C. gardenii from the cases the leaves have a nobilis-like median Ngome Forest in KwaZulu Natal is pictured in stripe. The main flowering time is late photo no. 3. John Winter who curates the autumn, around May, the same as gardenii , plants in the Clivia Collection at NBI, in contrast with the other species which Kirstenbosch, considers this to be the finest flower in spring or summer. form of any of the plants in thegardenii com­ plex. Note the flared petals and protruding stamens and style typical of C. gardenii . Photo No. 2 Leaves are pointed, with smooth edges, and it flowers in autumn which is typical of C. The C. nobilis in photo 2 belongs to Mike gardenii . Jeans who lives in England. He obtained it from Ian Brown, who lives in Cape Town. Ian’s mother plant is a magnificent specimen Photo No. 4 which has several times been placed first in its class at Cape Clivia Club Shows. This shows Rob Drake’s gardenii with varie­ gated leaves flowering at his home in Kloof, Ian’s mother plant stands about a metre tall inland from Durban in KZN, Rob inherited and has up to 70 flowers. When self-polli­ the plant from an uncle, but does not know nated, seedlings take 7 to 8 years to bloom, where it originally came from. The year this by which time many offsets have been picture was taken the plant flowered in formed. Under European growing condi­ reduced light, hence the pink colour. The tions plants may well bloom sooner. flowers were more orange this year. The C. nobilis , the second most primitive species plant does not self. Rob has crossed it with after mirabilis, and the first to be named (in a non-variegated pinkish miniata , and 7 out 1828), is easily identifiable. The leaves are of 9 seedlings have variegated leaves, nicer stiff with a cutting leaf margin - just run than the mother plant. This autumn he your fingers down the edges. As you can crossed it with a darker orange/redgardenii . see here, the leaf tips are blunt, often with a concave indentation, whereas other species John van der Linde.

5 A BEDTIME STORY did the same, followed shortly by 'Paradise Peach’, and all the other peaches. ‘Golden Once upon a time there was a Clivia Chalice’ and ‘Noyce’s Yellows’ were not Enthusiast. He was a ‘Man’ - most of them going to be left out so they followed suit. Oh are! in the year 2003, during the height of what fickle things Clivias are! Winter, a terrible Black Frost descended upon his shade houses, causing great dam­ Now the Clivia Enthusiast is once again age to his Clivias. As fate would have it, dejected and miserable. The Show is not those most damaged were the Broad leaf, until September and most of his “Specials” Variegated, and his very special ones. He will have finished flowering by then. had hardly anything to put on show and he The moral of the story is, let Nature take its was very despondent and troubled. How own course!!! could this have happened? The Clivia Fairy In 2004, he got smart. As the days got shorter and colder he put thermometers into CLIVIA IN CHINA the different shade houses to monitor the maximum and minimum temperatures. The The first clivias reached Japan from Europe special seedlings were moved into the main in 1854. Early in the 20th Century Clivia had bedroom, so that they would not stop grow­been brought to China (Qing Dao province) ing. “it is the warmest room in the house”, by a German missionary. Some reports state he told his spouse. First there were just a that this took place in the late 19th century. few, but like Pinocchio’s nose, they grew A second group ofClivia was taken to China and grew. His spouse would not allow the by a Japanese by the name of Tamura after big plants into her boudoir. On that she was the invasion of China by Japan in 1931. After adamant, so he hatched a plan. Take the the 2nd World War these clivias remained at cars out of the garage and put all the best the Emperor’s palace. In 1942 the Emperor’s plants in there. Temperature checks were second concubine died and a clivia plant was done and it was definitely warmer than the displayed at her funeral. This plant did not shade house. So the migration of ‘Wittig return to the palace and remained at the tem­ Pinks’, ‘Gail’s Peach’, ‘Gibson Picotee’, ple. A monk at the temple then continued to ‘Golden Chalice’, dark red broad leafs, cultivate this plant, which was named ‘Chubb’s Peach’, Thurston specials etc. etc., “Monk”. were moved as it got colder and colder. From the plants at the palace two plants were The plants seemed very happy, The doors given as gifts: one to the Chanchun Tung were open during the day and the garage has Hsing Dyeing Factory, which became known clear roofing on one side so light was noas “Dyeing Factory”, and the second to the problem. The plants were delighted, and dis­ Chanchun Sheng Li Park after the liberation, cussed this change of accommodation and which was fittingly called “Victory”. amongst them. “It is so nice and warm in Until the 1950’s plants only became available here” said a ‘Wittig Pink’. "Lets send up as offsets (suckers). In the early 1960’s spikes”. So all the ‘Wittig Pinks’ did just some growers started to pollinate plants and that. Not to be outdone, the 'Gibson Picotee’a cross-breeding union was established.

6 In 1963 some plants (Monk) from the temple Light of Buddha plants on the leaf appear­ became available to the public and trade. ance. On some LOB plants the variegation During the 1976 Cultural Revolution the Red appears to be the same as on Akebono. Guards tried to destroy all remnants of the Considering its history this mutation could old society, including Clivia plants. However, be from the same gene pool as the Japanese in 1980 it was estimated that about 150 000 Akebono. The Chinese refer to it as Akebono families in Changchun still grew some variegation using the Japanese word, but it clivias. still has to be shown whether the two are physiologically the same or not. The official flower of Changchun As with other forms of variegation, inheri­ On 11th October 1984 the Clivia was named tance of the LOB variegation appears to be the flower of Changchun . After this some from the mother plant. LOB can produce nationalised companies, private groups, and up to 80% variegated seedlings, which show individuals came together and formed a large variegation at the 1-4 leaf stage. LOB varie­ scale society to research and enhanceClivia gation improves with age. About 8% cultivation. This organisation soon had seedlings can show normal variegation 24000 members. The cultivation objectives which could change to LOB as the plant grow were: older. ● Aesthetics - To have a plant that could “Henglan” be appreciated all year round ● Leaf - Viewing the leaf is better than Henglan was developed around 1992 by the flower crossing Chinese Round Tip with Japanese ● Flower - Beautiful leaf with a captivat­ Daruma. The leaf length should not to ing flower exceed 150mm, and the leaf width to length ● Shape - Graceful style of clivia ratio should be 1-1.5:1, with round leaf tips. Henglan is used as a pollen parent only, as it “Light of Buddha” has very strong dwarf genes, and will First found in China by Mr. Wo Bo many reduce leaf length by approximately 1/3. At years ago, the “Light of Buddha” was initial­ present when using Henglan pollen on varie­ ly a plant with narrow leaves. About 15 years gated Daruma very few good quality varie­ ago Mr. Bo started with a breeding program gated Henglan seedlings are obtained. using a broad-leaf Japanese Daruma as “Sparrow” pollen parent. At first the Chinese public did not want to buy the LOB as they believed that Sparrow clivia were produced from an off­ the plants suffered from a disease similar to set mutation from Chinese clivia, about 12 a skin disease affecting humans! However, years ago. large number of plants and seeds were pur­ “Broad Leaves” chased by Mr. Nakamura. Broad leaves are mainly achieved by cross­ The characteristics of Light of Buddha plants ing short leaf Monk with Japanese Daruma, are bright green shiny leaves with distinct with leaves reported to reach up to 180 mm cream / white bands. New leaves are always wide. Growers with extremely good plants, a bright yellow with very little green, turning however, are very secretive and release lit­ green with age. The leaves have distinct tle information about them. Visitors who are veins. trusted may have the privilege of seeing The Chinese concentrated their breeding of some of these unique plants, but almost

7 without exception they refuse permission for 2.5:1 their plants to be photographed. Such plants Long-leaf Daruma Monk - More than 250 are so prized that no price can be attached to mm them or insurance cover arranged! Medium-leaf Daruma Monk - Leaves They are not such attractive plants as the between 200 mm-250 mm leaves become too heavy and pendulous. To Short-leaf Daruma Monk - Leaves less than grow broad leaves the pot temperature 200 mm should be maintained at 15-24 degrees C. Daruma plants were brought into China from Plants should not be allowed to carry seeds Japan about 18 years ago. as this deforms the leaf shape. “Round Tip” With all their excellent tunnels and growing houses the Chinese, Japanese, Belgians, Chinese Round Tip plants have been devel­ Netherlanders en Americans are light years oped from Monk plants. ahead of South African growers, as they can control all aspects within these houses, These notes were made by Sakkie Nel from while our clivias must “grin and bear it” with Andre van Rhyn’s presentation of "Clivia in the elements in our shadehouses. In the con­ China" to the members of the Northern trolled environments of Asian, European and Clivia Club in February 2004. American plant houses the plants build up lit­ Sakkie (I H J) Nel tle resistance to pests and plagues as these Lynnwood, Pretoria are not allowed in. Inside these plant houses 2004-05-12 humidity, temperature, feeding, irrigation, Tel +27 12-361 6415 ventilation and light are controlled as in the intensive care unit of a heart hospital. AN INTERESTING ADJUNCT ON “Monk” KATHERINE SAUNDERS The width of the leaves is 90-110mm. The plants are classified into three groups, An extract from Bayer, A. 1979. Flower according to leaf length, with a ratio ofpaintings of Katherine Saunders. Tongaat: length-width of 3:1 -5:1: Tongaat Group, pp 88-89. Long-leaf Monk - More than 450mm ... [A]t Tongaat House, Katharine, or “Mia” Medium-leaf Monk - Leaves between as she was now called by her children and 350mm-450 mm later by her grandchildren, became increas­ Short-leaf Monk- Leaves less than 350mm ingly involved, almost to the exclusion of all else, in her own pursuits. Slight, erect, dig­ “Daruma Monk” nified, her life ordered by devout Christian When the leaves are longer, they are narrow­ belief, this brave, highly intelligent and talent­ er. The leaves have much more shine and ed woman ruled and regulated her family and more defined veins than other forms. As the home. Never having approved of alcohol, leaves become shorter and wider, so does she now forbade it; utilizing her capacity for their habit - they are more upright, in con­ languages, she added to her fluency in Zulu, trast to the more normal pendulous habit. Hindustani and Tamil so that she could con­ duct prayers in the respective tongues of her The leaf width of Daruma Monks is 90mm- servants; refusing to let the lack of cultural 150mm, with a ratio length- width of 1.5:1- pastimes in the colony envelop her, she con­

8 tinued to study and read French and Italian, addition, terrified grandchildren put to sleep as well as practice and play the piano, to the in the long upstairs “bunk-room” saw the admiration of Mary Tyler Gray, who heardcanvas ceiling cloth writhe and quiver as her play one of Beethoven’s sonatas. snakes slithered above their heads at night. A story recounted by her daughter-in-law, ...“even at the age of 73”; acquiring a pas­ Walter’s wife Jean Saunders, is that she sion for all living creatures she did not allow even forbade her Zanzibari maid, Marilla, to anything to be killed unnecessarily. She kill a snake which was in the canopy of her would always collect black rose beetles andmistress’s bed. Too scared to make the bed, parasites from her garden and then throw the maid called James who shot it, but added them away when out for a walk or during a “Marilla, you must not tell madam that I shot drive. This could be carried to excess if the snake’’! swarms of insects invaded her garden and even threatened to destroy her plants. In Roger Fisher

Source: Evening Post, Saturday April 30, In it there live three ageing sisters, all three 1955 spinsters. They are ordinary people, yet in their way they have created great beauty. SCOTT’S FARM lies in a valley between Makanna’s Kop and Sugar Loaf Hill. Though It is about them, the animals and the plants within the Grahamstown municipality, it is they have tended, and the pressure of poli­ one of the last of the wild places of the dis­ tics that this story is told. trict - an expanse of over-grown green, clothing the moist earth and nourishing all Many years ago, Colonel Scott, military the creatures that such unofficialdom commander of the district, was honoured breeds. with an imperial grant of land on the out­ skirts of Grahamstown. Along its border drops the little stream that wet the feet of warriors when the Battle of He buiit a house on the 86 square roods Grahamstown was fought more than 100 given to him, and lived there for a time. Later years ago. The land is virginal for the most - he sold the property, and eventually it utterly wild - but here and there cool and passed into the hands of Mr. E.H. Marshall, mellow clearings bear evidence that paths grandfather of the three sisters I spoke were hacked through the sanctuary many about. years ago. An escape Blues, browns and greens are the colours. It was passed down from generation to gen­ Their brilliance or sombreness, matches the eration until today the three sisters own it, weather’s mood, for when Grahamstown Miss Gladys, Miss May and Miss Mauyd skies are overcast, the earth’s covering Biackbeard. They grow flowers, watch ani­ reflects the cold and inhospitable colour. But mals and plants and for reasons seem to usually sky and land are bright with blue and prefer the company of nature to human soci­ green radiance. ety. Hidden by the entangled nature is a house. Some of their reasons are apparent if you

9 visit them. An afternoon at Scott’s Farm is series of paintings of her blooms.² But it an escape from modern-day sophistication is really of the Blackbeards' alliance with into a sanctuary of simplicity. Nature that I wish to write. The greater part In these surroundings I saw a new and of Scott’s farm is a sanctuary for the hunted. refreshing significance to this well-worn old It’s owners are friends to all things wild, and verse that hangs in their dining room. It the wild things have repaid them with their reads: friendship. I think that I shalt never see Tamed in their enclosures are Egyptian A poem lovely as a tree . .. geese, which take off at evening on wide A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed wings for their feeding grounds, then return Against the earth’s sweet flowering to the farm at dawn; owls that feed on what breast. the Grahamstown ratcatcher brings; Stanley A tree that looks at God all day cranes, the ballet dancers of the menage; And lifts her leafy arms to pray and many varieties of water birds. A tree that may in summer wear Friendship A nest of ribbons in her hair Upon whose bosom snow has lain Some have a history. They were brought to Who intimately lives with rain the farm with broken legs or wings, or dis­ Poems are made by fools like me abled in some way. The care and nourish­ But only God can make a tree. ment of the three sisters have restored them to normality - but they have never left; in fact, they have attracted more of their fellow To use their words, the three Misses creatures. Blackbeard have withdrawn into a society “where the simple things of life count.” The sisters have been content in the knowl­ edge that when storms blew, or when Cornerstones of their quiet philosophy are hunters’ guns crashed, their birds were safe. plants, animals, the land and nearly 70 years And it has also pleased them that implanted of reminiscences. And the expression of somewhere in these creatures is the born their code is in the peculiar charm of their knowledge of their existence and their safe home and grounds. haven. Rare blooms So intimate has this link with the wild Alone, with nothing to disturb her, Miss become, that Miss Gladys refers to her Gladys has bred her rare collection of “friendship” with a timid little vleiloerie Clivias. She started with one pot, given to [Burchell’s Coucal]. “Our friendship started her by her mother. But through hand-cross- in the garden,” she said. “I heard a rustle, ing and gifts, she has increased her collec­ then saw the little bird hop quietly and tion to about 1,500 lilies which express their straight-legged from its green shelter. beauty in massive heads of tubular blooms Slowly I gained its confidence, until eventu­ in shades of cream, reds and various nastur­ ally I could creep up to it with a little cut-up tium colours. beef in my hand. The vleiloerie would first bow, then thank me with a melodious call So valuable is her garden of Clivias that Dr A. and eat.’’ One day, the bird arrived at the Dyer, Government botanist at Pretoria, sentfarm with a mate - they built a nest and an artist down to Scott’s Farm to record hatched a a mop of young.

10 Frustrated owl them, Miss Blackbeard mentioned the “human hybrids of South Africa”. Then there was the frustrated owl, which continually laid eggs that never hatched. In a The two botanists became deeply interested. moment of pity, Miss Blackbeard put some With her help they organized a photographic bantam eggs under the wise old bird, and it and factual survey of Coloured people, hatched and reared a couple of bantams. investigating the characteristics and descent of many non-Europeans. Animals also know Scott’s Farm. A duiker that used to eat chocolate from Miss Their findings, which were published in Blackboard's fingers was brought to the Europe, gave an indication of the impact of sanctuary as a starving orphan. That was European civilization on indigenous tribes. just about the time when the “V” sign came Some of the facts were eagerly seized on by into prominence, and so like the latter was , which exploited points of the sur­ the shape of the buck’s ears that it was vey in its campaign to maintain and intensify dubbed “Victory”. racial purity. Disney was the tiny grysbok that preferred Although General Smuts never visited the shelter of the old farmhouse to the ele­ Scott’s Farm, he also knew about the life ments outside. He used to spend most of the there. He actually sent a tree to be planted day curled up with the dog or the cat or walk in the sanctuary. daintily after his mistress as she moved from room to room. Fateful map The tortoises deliberately rustle through dry Mrs. Margaret Bellinger, M.P has admired leaves. Age does not weary them nor do the the collection of Clivias, and so has Sir years condemn them to more than another Arthur Hill, a former curator of , ring on their already well-ringed shells. and Dr Hutchinson, also of Kew. But all the while South Africa’s problems were becom­ You can talk of virtually any animal that can ing more crystallized. An ever-increasing be kept in a garden, and one of the sisters’ contrast was becoming apparent between faces will light up, and she will tell you of Scott’s Farm and the neighbouring ground. some simple story linking that animal and Scott’s Farm. Hundreds of Coloureds were arriving in the towns to work, and an arid location of dirty Tree from Smuts streets, shops and jig-saw puzzle houses As the years went by and the pursuit of civi­ slowly sprang up, completely encircling the lization stripped more and more of the dis­ sanctuary. It is this location that frames my trict of its indigenous look, Scott’s Farmlast scene - the bare foyer room leading to became known as a little cameo of the orig­the Mayor’s Parlour in the Grahamstown City inal. Visitors started arriving to wonder atHall. Pinned against a board is a map show­ the work and simplicity of the three women. ing the municipality’s zoning proposals as Among them were the two famous botanists prescribed under the Groups Areas Act. An from Leyden University in Holland, Dr Lotsy ageing woman timidly enters, and looks at and Dr. Goddijn. the plan. She sees - what she already knew - that Scott’s Farm, the love, labour and lives They were studying plant hybrids and actual­ of three generations, is destined to be cut up ly met Miss Gladys Blackbeard at a lecture for Coloured ownership. demonstration on hybrid grasses at Rhodes University College. In conversation with Paul Edmunds.

11 Extracted from Bothalia 14, 3 & 4 (1985) ¹ I am indebted to Suzy Nyakale, Librarian, Cory pg 633 Library, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa (Tel: 046 603 8498 E-mail: Blackbeard, Gladys Ivy (1891-1975) [email protected]) for sourcing this article. b. Grahamstown, C.P, 19 May 1891; d. ² Ms Gillian Condy, Botanical Artist to the Grahamstown, 11 Sept. 1975; gardener and National Botanical Institute, Brummeria, Pretoria nature lover who maintained a nursery tor has located two of these. On one the florets with indigenous plants, especially individual inner and outer petals is illustrated, a and succulents, on her property Scott's dark brick-red C. miniata labeled: 'Original plant Farm on the outskirts of Grahamstown, most in garden at Scott’s farm. Leathery from [sic] of which she collected and propagated her­ growing in open, also deeper shade. On a sepa­ self. She supplied plants to the Albany rate sheet two florets: 'A. C. nobilis from Museum Herbarium and to authorities over­ Grahamstown. B. Hybrid [Cyrtanthiflora-type], seas, such as Von Poellnitz, and assisted Lotsy and Goddijn of Holland during their visit to the eastern Cape Province in 1927. Her collection of some 2000 plants of Clivia was acquired by Mr. Gordon McNeil of Ofcolaco in 1962.

This article, the last in this series, deals with As Dr. Dyer, then a 43-year old and shortly to Dr. Robert Dyer and his naming of Clivia become director of the Botanical Research caulescens in 1943, nearly 90 years after Institute in Pretoria, wrote in Flowering the last clivia species identification (gardenii) Plants of South Africa (1931), "Clivia back in 1856. It is ironic that caulescens is caulescens has been under observation for the only one of the better known pendulous several years without being definitely identi­ species NOT appearing on the cover of this fied... When the species was first studied particular Newsletter! there was some doubt as to the justification Many people knew of Clivia growing in the of separating it specifically fromC. nobilis north-eastern parts of South Africa and in (Lindl) and C. Gardenii (Hook.).” He con­ Swaziland. Plants had been collected in the cludes: “Our plant (his type specimen, the districts of Pilgrims Rest, MacMac, Graskop one from MacMac) is intermediate in the and the then Pietersburg. The earliest number and size of flowers between these, recorded collection was in 1890, in the and differs from both in the production of a Barberton district, from the summit of the stem up to 45cm long, which is considered Saddleback Mountains. sufficient justification for specific separa­ tion.”

12 Robert Allen Dyer was born in been identified by DNA analysis as probably Pietermaritzburg in 1900, educated in Natal, being the species most closely related to and gained experience at the Herbarium in miniata , the more “primitive" species being Grahamstown and at Kew Gardens in gardenii, nobilis and mirabilis, in that order England. He spent the rest of his profession­ (Conrad, S.A. Journal of 2003 , 69). al career in Pretoria, where he also founded Roger Dixon tells me that the species can the Pretoria National Botanic Garden. Healso be identified on the basis of their chem­ received wide recognition for his service to ical constituents. botany and to science in general. John van der Linde. C. caulescens , incidentally, has recently

The Editorial Board of the 2005 Clivia (miniata, caulescens, gardenii & nobilis.) Society Yearbook 7 announces the second Best Interspecific: R100 Clivia Society Photographic Competition. It Best Habitat Picture: R100 is open to all and the object is to encourageSingle Flower any specie: R100 clivia enthusiasts to submit photographs from around the world. We would particular­ The conditions and rules of entry are: ly like photos of plants that flower outside of 1. The completed entry form (see page 23) the normal Clivia Show dates and therefore must accompany submissions. are not seen by many people. We intend that 2. All entries are welcome, but due to pub­ this will be an annual event that brings entries lishing deadlines must be received by the of photographs of attractive, as well as some last day of March 2005, to be eligible. unusual, Clivia flowers and plants. Prominent 3. Publication rights for entries will wrest space will be allocated in the Yearbook to all with the Clivia Society. category winners. The name of the 4. Entries are limited to six per class per per­ Photographer and Grower, where submitted, son. will be publicized along with any other rele­ 5. Photographs may be mailed to vant information. There will be prizes for win­ ners as shown below. The Best Photograph Clivia Photographic Competition, and Runner-up will be selected from all P O Box 53219, Kenilworth. 7745. Cape entries and will then not be eligible to win Town. South Africa. Or emailed to: [email protected] other categories. Prizes will be a selection of some of the rarest and most sought-after 6. Photos must be submitted in one of the seed and/or seedlings to the value shown following formats: below and will be awarded next year when we know what is available. i. A Print in portrait or landscape at least 10 x 14 cm but no larger than 14x18 Categories are as follows: cm. Best Photograph: R300 ii. A plastic mounted 35mm slide or larg­ Runner-up: R200 er format not mounted. Each of four Species Sections: R100 iii. On CD-R where the image is recorded

13 in a tiff or jpeg format. The pixel size above must be available on a CD as all should be a minimum of 1600 x1200 emailed photos that reach the final pixels as that should give a printable selection of 12, or on request, will picture of approximately 14 x 10cm, have to be submitted to the specifica­ The resolution of the image would be tions in iii. above to remain eligible. preferred at 300 dpi or greater but No scanned Pictures to be submit­ don’t let a lower resolution stop you ted by email. from entering. iv. Photographs must be on their own and 7. If you wish your Photographs returned after the competition then you should not embedded in another program, include a suitably addressed envelope. e.g. MS Word. (S.A. Entrants must include a stamp). v. An email in jpeg format at 72 dpi with 8. The decision of the Editorial Board on the picture size 10 x 14 cm. Winners of the Competition is final and no N.B. The type of submission in v. correspondence will be entered into.

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14 grandchildren. Dankie Oom Ammie, dat jy so baie van jou- self gegee het en ons lewens verryk het. Dankie Tannie Tersia, Jannes, Martin en Rachel dat u hom so geduldig met ons gedeel het. Ons weet dat hy nou rus vind aan die voete van sy God wat hy so lief het. Ons weet dat hy nie meer pyn voel nie. En al is ons harte gebroke, het ons ook berusting in diefeit dat ons weet hy nooit ons harte sal verlaat nie, en dat hierdie pragtige blom wat hy so lief voor was elke jaar vir ons mooie herinneringe sal bring aan ‘n man wat in statuur groter was as ‘n mens. Sy mensliewendheid en vrygewigheid sal ons He had a passion for his language - alt yd bybly. Afrikaans. But I know that Oom Ammie would understand when I also share some of Aan Tannie Tersia, kinders en kleinkinders - this with those who are not able to under­ ons deel in julle smart. Maar ons is ook stand his language, and also respected and dankbaar vir die tyd wat ons hom kon ken, loved him. en met u kon deel. It is true that behind every successful man there is a strong Silence please ladies and gentlemen, A great woman. I can truly say that Oom Ammie spirit has left us. was blessed to have Tannie Tersia at his side Stilte asseblief dames en here, ‘n Groot for 44 years. She was the silent strength gees het ons verlaat. that allowed him to be who he was. We thank her for being there, and sharing him Although we will no longer see his beloved with us. Like Oom Ammie, she has, in her face, he will forever live in our hearts. silent manner, earned the respect and love of Although we will no longer hear his voice, he many. will speak to us for many years to come. Many of us have lots of Clivia that we bought Many people will wander in and out of your from him, and even more he gave to us. life, but some are so special that they’ll leave Every year when our Clivias flower, and it is footprints in your heart. The footprints that time for the annual NCC show, his spirit will this man left in our hearts are imbedded wander amongst us. With Oom Ammie it there forever. He had a passion for life and was not just about Clivias. He gave so much people like no other I have ever known. He more to those who crossed his path. I love touched the lives of so many, and he gave him like I do my own father, and I know that love so unconditionally. He loved to love, many more share this with me. His passing and loved to be loved. He reached out with leaves a void that could never be filled, not his hands, and touched the hearts of so only in my life and those of many others, but many. Someone once said that love is the even more so in the lives of his wonderful perfume of life, which you cannot pour onto wife, Tersla, his three children, and his others without splashing a few drops on 15 yourself. Oom Ammie was almost reckless I conclude with the words of his eldest son, in pouring buckets of love on others, and I Jannes, at the funeral: “Chiao Oudste. know that it came back to him in buckets. Moenie worry nie”. With this we say goodbye to a man loved by Cobus Roos so many. We will miss him terribly. Until we (Clivia Society Public Relations Officer) meet again.

EASTERN PROVINCE CLIVIA CLUB Eastern Province 2004 Show Report. Open meeting and mini interspecific show Our show, which was held during the week­ end 25/26 September was again extraordi­ Hello to all from the friendly City on the nary and indeed something to remember. Sunshine Coast. We had our very first Interspecific Clivia mini show and open A beautiful display of Clivia plants and a meeting during the afternoon of 24 July water feature in the foyer welcomed visitors 2004. The main object was to introduce to the show. On entering the hall visitors these crosses to our younger members and were greeted by the ‘Best On Show’, a stun­ the public. In spite of inclement weather ning peach with re-curved tepals. This mag­ hampering flower opening, we never the less nificent specimen owned by Charl Malan was managed to fill seven tables with bred from a cross between a ‘Vico Yellow’ Interspecific plants. Advertising via our local and a ‘Chubb’s Peach’. It was flanked to the newspapers and radio stations ensured a right by the ‘Runner-up to Best On Show’, a very high attendance. Oom Fred Gibello beautiful light pastel owned by Lester De came all the way from Cape Town whilst Beer. This plant originated from a garden in Louis and Nantie Chadinha traveled from the holiday resort of Keurbooms and has Welkom to attend. Much interest was been in the De Beer’s possession for the last shown and committee members were kept nine years. They only joined the Club some busy explaining how these crosses came six months ago and needed some convinc­ about and answering numerous other related ing to enter the plant in the beginner’s class questions. All visitors were required to vote where it was awarded the ‘Best Beginner On for their choice by means of a ballot paper. Show’. The runner up to the ‘Best Beginner Welland Cowley’s (Nakamura yellow miniataOn show’, the beautiful peach of Margie x gardenii) x (caulescens x miniata) was Young flanked the ‘Best On Show’ to the left. awarded best on show whilst Charl Malan’s The plant was grown from seed she received minigard (miniata x gardenii) was runner-up. from her brother in Australia. Several of the At the end of the day the visitors went home prize-winning entries can be viewed on the with much more knowledge of these cross­ Clivia Society website. es, sellers were smiling and the Club gained The special layout of the show tables provid­ 13 new members. ed exceptional display for the high quality Cheers until next time. plants boosting an array of many colours, which drew numerous compliments from Willie le Roux the visitors.

16 Rain throughout Saturday and Sunday morn­ 220 plants were entered in the 24 different ing contributed to fewer visitors than last classes with participants from Cape Town year. Our pamphlet 'Thinking of Joining our and Port Elizabeth. Club’, displaying a list of privileges which About 1200 members of the public attended members are entitled to and which were dis­ the show - this number does not include tributed amongst visitors, coupled with com­ non-paying children who accompanied their mittee members going out of their way to parents. Seventeen potential new members communicate and give information and took subscription forms to join the club in advice to the visitors, contributed to 43 new 2005. members joining our Club. The ‘cherry on top’ was undoubtedly the All three judges, John Winter, Geraldine coverage that our show received on three Vermaak and Charl Coetzee, praised the high channels of our National Television with the standard of the entries in all classes. The camera zooming in on the variety of colourbiggest representative classes were the blooms on show. orange broad-leaf, yellow broad-leaf and pastel/apricot broad-leaf categories. The The success of our show can only be attrib­ Best-on-Show plant was an orange broad- uted to the earlier coverage by local newspa­ leaf owned by Gerhard von Coppenhagen, pers and radio stations, the displaying of purchased from grower Ian Vermaak. There posters and banners and of-course the hard were two runners-up: a yellow broad-leaf work put in by each of our committee mem­ owned by Malan Clivia Brothers and an inter­ bers, as well as other members volunteering specific green bloom owned by Charl to assist prior and during the show. Thank Coetzee. Some of the prize-winning entries you one and all for the part you played to can be viewed on the Clivia Society website. make this show one to remember. A big thank you to all who donated yellow adultThe lay-out of the hall received very plants for our raffle, yellow seedlings for our favourable comment, as the different cate­ new members and seed for our starter gories were placed so there were varying packs. Last but not least, a thank you to patches of colour throughout the display Gerrit Van Wyk and Cobus Roos who under­ area which created a very festive atmos­ took the judging duties. phere. Eleven sellers were also accommo­ Instead of sitting back and relaxing we are dated inside the hall along the walls and on already busy planning something new for stage - their sale plants added colour and next years show. flamboyance to the whole scene. Willie Le Roux. The show committee gave their whole­ hearted support to the event and chairman GARDEN ROUTE CLIVIA CLUB Gerrie Brits would like to thank these hard working members for their contribution Garden Route Clivia Club Show Report towards the success of the show. The Garden Route Clivia Club staged their GERRIE BRITS second Annual Show during the first week­ Hop Breeder end of October. We initially thought that this SAB Hop Farms would be too late to have many flowers stillTel: +27 044 8028420 in bloom for exhibition, but were pleasantly Fax: +27 044 8707550 surprised by both the number and the quali­ Cell: 0827385842 ty of the of entries. Gerrie. [email protected]. com

17 NORTHEN CLIVIA CLUB van opsteller en leier van ons inligtingspro- gram en -sessies. Soos wat ek hier voor al Dr Peter Lambert read the following contri­ die familie en vriend staan, kan ek Oom bution at Ammie Grobler’s memorial serv­ Ammie sien op sy eie beskeie manier ons ice. An English version will soon be avail­ inligtingssessies lei, ons deskundige sprek- able on the Clivia Society website at ers voorstel en dan ook onderbreek www. cliviasociety. org gedurende die lesing om iets wetenskapliks OOM AMMIE GROBLER - GEDENKDIENS eenvoudig te verduidelik as hy gevoel het dat 16 SEPTEMBER 2004 alles te ingewikkeld en te gevorderd was vir die gewone lede. Ek het Oom Ammie ontmoet deur Clivias, die betowerende blomme waarvoor ons as ledeDit was veral die gewone lede - die wat nie van die Noordelike Clivia Klub almal so lief is.noodwendig ‘n wetenskaplike kennis van Oom Ammie was my eerste mentor toe ek plante gehad het - wat vir Oom Ammie baie aangesluit het by die Klub ongeveer vier jaar belangrik was. Dit gese, was hy ook baie gelede. Vir die wat nie weet wat so 'n men­ bekommerd dat hy alles te eenvoudig sou tor doen nie, sal ek gou verduidelik - so ‘n maak en dat ons sodoende die meer persoon is daar om nuwe lede te help en gevorderde lid sou verloor. Soos ons almal raad en advies te gee. Op hierdie gebied het weet het dit nie gebeur nie en het Oom Oom Ammie uitgeblink en sy entoesiasme Ammie hom uitstekend van sy taak gekwyt. het my verder aangespoor. Sy taal, Afrikaans, was veral vir ons leer- Soos ‘n ware opvoedkundige kon hy al die meester belangrik. Hy sal lank onhou word verskillende aspekte van die Clivia op ‘n baie in die NCK vir sy bydra op hierdie gebied en eenvoudige dog deeglike manier verduidelik vir sy kampvegtersbenadering ten opsigte en sodoende ‘n groter belangstelling en van die gebruik van Afrikaans by ons ver- nuuskierigheid by ons nuwe lede laat gaderings en in al ons geskrifte en pub- ontkiem, en dan ook terselfde tyd die vlam likasies. van entoesiasme in die gevestigde lede aan Regverdigheid in die Klub was ook baie die gang hou. belangrik. Oom Ammie het hom altyd be- Ek sal altyd die vriendelike manier onthou ywer om te sorg dat almal gelyke kanse sou waarop ek en die ander Clivia vriende by he - hetsy by verkopings, uitstallings of by Rubida Straat 72 ontvang is, nie net deur die kies van plante vir bv. ‘n veiling. Oom Ammie, maar ook veral deur Tersia. Dit Oom Ammie constantly reminded me that het my altyd laat dink aan die ou the NCC was not just all about our beloved Nederlandse gesegde - “Wie als vriend hier plants, but is also about friendship and binne gaat komt nooit te vroeg, maar steeds camaraderie. I certainly have made many te laat.” Ons vele gesprekke om die tafel new and lasting friends since joining the daarbuite en al die heerlike koppies tee en Club, and so did Oom Ammie. This special koffie sal altyd onthou word. Al Oom kind of friendship was demonstrated so Ammie se raad en advies, leiding en aans- vividly by Andre van Rhyn, Steve Moodie and pooring sal ons almal in die toekoms help. Roy Williams, who during Oom Ammie’s ill­ Alle aspekte van die NCK het naby Oom ness cared for his plants, prepared and Ammie se hart gele en hy het verskeie poste groomed plants for our annual show. Some in die NCK beklee, maar ek is seker die een of these entries fittingly and justly won waarvoor hy altyd onthou sal word is dieprizes. These friends also kept the Clivia

18 business running, allowing Tersia to be at A spectacular sight greeted Mrs Blaser when Oom Ammie’s side most of the time. On she arrived. A bank of Clivia miniata in all behalf of Tersia, I would sincerely like to their magnificent colours was arrayed on the thank these true friends. We in the NCC are wooden stairs outside. She was warmly justly proud to have you as members and welcomed by everyone and then proceeded especially friends. inside, where there was another arrange­ ment of flowering C. miniata that created a Ons het almal ‘n groot vriend verloor, 'n very special atmosphere in this historic cot­ ware vriend, 'n mentor en leermeester, een tage. van die groot karakters in die klub, Joy Woodward, Mick Dower and Claude Namens al die lede van die NCK, ons innige Felbert had organised a veritable Italian feast simpatie aan Tersia en die familie. of three different pasta dishes followed by Tot siens Oom Ammie, my ou vriend. Dankie strawberries and ice cream, melktert and vir alles wat jy vir my en al die ander lede coffee. John van der Linde proposed a toast beteken het, en daar waar jy jou finale rus- and good wishes were read from the plek kry is ek seker, om aan te haal uit een Chairman and PRO of the Clivia Society. van Oom Ammie se vele grappies, WILL YOU In his speech, John Winter told us some of BE LOOKING FOR US. the interesting aspects of Mrs Blaser’s life Peter Lambert and of her numerous interests and activities. At the club’s annual show in Bellville last Vo or sit ter month, Mrs Blaser entered an enormousC. Noordeiike Clivia Club miniata with five flower heads that won an “Honourable Mention” certificate. Among other talents, she knits, sews (two years ago CAPE CLIVIA CLUB she made her granddaughter’s wedding Centenarian celebration dress), makes her own pasta and teaches the art of pasta making! John presented a Margherita Blaser became a member of the certificate to her commemorating her mem­ Cape Clivia Club in 1997 and, since she turns bership of the Club and this event. A beauti­ 100 on the 14th of this month, the commit­ ful floating trophy to be called the Margherita tee decided to pay tribute to her at a special Blaser Centenary Trophy was handed to Mrs luncheon held at the Stone Cottages in Blaser. It will be introduced as a Floating Kirstenbosch. About 50 people attended the Trophy to be awarded each year for the ‘Best occasion, including nine close family mem­ on Show’. bers, two of whom were visiting from Switzerland. Marlene Bilas.

19 John Winter, Chairman of the Cape Clivia Club, presenting Mrs Marglierita Biaser with Honorary Lite Membership on the occasion of her 100th Birthday (5 October 2004). Photo by Claude Felbert.

Advertisements. Tariffs for advertising in point out that it is difficult to quote a fixed price the Clivia Society Newsletter: without knowing the method of payment and delivery. We suggest you contact Bossie de Smalls (1 to 6 lines): R25.00 Kock (the treasurer) via e-mail at: Smalls (7 to 10 lines): R30.00 [email protected] or by fax at Quarter page: R70.00 + 27 12 804 8892 and list the items you are Half page: R 125.00 interested in as well as the name of the coun­ Full Page: R250.00 try in which you reside. Bossie would then A5 separate page insert: R600.00 be in a position to suggest the most eco­ A4 separate page insert: R800.00 nomical option. Australian, UK, New Zealand (You will be sent an account from the treas­ and USA members are reminded that they urer for the appropriate amount.) can order via Ken Smith, Dr Harnish Sloan, Di Smith and Michael Morri respectively — From the Clivia Society: see covers for contact detail. Also note that Overseas members can order back volume further discounts can be negotiated with copies of the yearbooks and newsletters (since Bossie for orders exceeding 10 of a specific 1992) via the society. South African members item. The following items are available: should approach their local branches. We must

20 Item Approximate price (US $)* Yearbook 6 10 Yearbook 5 12 Yearbook 4 10 Yearbook 3 10 Yearbook 2 10 Yearbook 1 10 Volumes 1(1992) to 11 (2002) of newsletters 10 per volume Set of volumes 1 to 10 available on request Hints on growing Clivia - hard copy 3 Hints on growing Clivia - electronic PDF format 2 International membership list - hard copy 2 International membership list - electronic format No charge * Including postage and banking charges if paid by credit card. Contact Bossie de Kock for quotation re payments made by cheque.

Private advertisements: a/h or cell 082 7845401. Clivia species, interspecifics and specialities. Clivia miniata: Creams, yellows, peaches, apri­ Participate in our coordinated imports and cots, reds, pastels and polychromes. Seed, exports of seeds and plants - Asia, ANZ, N. Am. seedlings, mature plants and offsets of stock & Eu. Connie Abel, Pretoria, +27-12-3616406 or plants bred and selected over 25 years. Contact [email protected] Bing Wiese, Pretoria tel/fax (012) 460 6382 to Yellow Nogqaza strains from R15 to R120. view. Orange from R1 to R6 for mature plants. Delivery Thurlow Flora: We have on offer a large variety anywhere. SOUTH AFRICAN CLIVIA PLANTATION, of carefully bred seedlings and mature plants for Box 855, Hilton 3245. Call 082- 955 5433. sale. We specialize in pastel colours, oddities, Clivia miniata. Seed R100 per kilogram. Year old species and original wild collected and named plants R2 each. Roly Strachan, Box 57, Highflats clones of clivia. Mail order and visitors welcome. 3306 or Tel. (039) 835 0085 evenings only. For our latest plant list please contact Sean and Terri Chubb. Tel: 031 7811-978 e-mail: Swamp gardenii and miniata seed and [email protected] We also have available a few seedlings available from various Natal and hundred different named daylily clones. Transkei locations. Phone Andrew (039) 3135024

At the last Metro Group meeting before the Container: The pot must balance with the Metro Show, Elroy Janse van Vuuren, who is size of the plant - it shouldn’t be too big or a judge at the shows, spoke to the group too small. No marks or labels should be about preparing plants for showing. Some showing. Remove the white crusts from tips are mentioned here that may not have watering and fertilizing from the bottom of appeared elsewhere. Editor. the pot with vinegar.

21 Leaves: If there is detritus between the bury the plant a little deeper in the pot. This leaves, gently vacuum between the leaves. will also help stabalise the lower leaves Using a soft cloth or cottonwool wipe thewhich have a tendency to flop. Cover the leaves with a 50% solution of milk and water. earth in the base of the pot with bark to This makes the leaves shirie and also has an improve the appearance of the plant. This antibacterial effect. Do not use commercialalso helps to hide the white at the base of the leaf cleaners as they often have substances plant if the lower leaves have been removed. in them which block the leaf pores and inhib­ Flowers: Flower heads should be as posy­ it leaf growth over time. Remove damaged like as possible. Assist even spacing of leaf tips by cutting them off. Shape the flowers by wedging cotton wool inbetween edges to simulate a leaf tip and seal with the pedicels as the buds are developing. undiluted milk. Only trim the tips of the When it comes to judging, 10 points will be leaves the day before the show, if trimmed lost if two flowers are spoilt. If more than too far in advance, the cut edges will be too two flowers are spoilt, the plant won't be evident. judged. If leaves have been removed from the base Meg Hart. of the plant and the base has not greened up,

While the subject of shows is fresh on my fields of endeavour? mind, you have no idea how much time is A draft document on Standards has been spent primping and preening plants before compiled and I hope a clause has been writ­ shows. Sometimes I think clivia enthusiasts ten into the document forbidding the use of spend more time with their plants than with steroids and illegal substances. Every plant their spouses or their children! There was a should be tested before showing and I am case where a husband wanted to bring his happy to offer my services in this regard. clivia plants into the bedroom! As for clean­ Lily Borer (Brithys pancratii from South ing them with milk?! That never happens in Africa and Brithys crini from Australia!). the wild! I visited the Northern and Metro Clivia shows and observed the clivia from other shows on the Internet. Clearly size counts - size of umbel, size of flowers, or size of leaves. All the clivia looked bigger and better than they had done before. It seems the secret is reg­ ular fertilizing with chemicals. Could it be that the plants are on steroids or other per­ formance enhancing substances? Should there not be mandatory testing as in other

22 CLIVIA SOCIETY PHOTOGRAHIC COMPETITION ENTRY FORM

23 24 CONTACT DETAILS FOR CLIVIA CLUBS AND INTEREST GROUPS

Cape Clivia Club: Joy Woodward (Secretary). PO Box 53219, Kenilworth, 7745. Tel (h) +27 21 671 7384, Tel (w) +27 21 799 8768, Fax +27 21 797 0002. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Eastern Province Willie le Roux (Chairperson) PO Box 19292, Linton Grange, Port Clivia Club: Elizabeth, 6015. Tel & Fax: +27 41-360 3480. E-mail: [email protected] KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club: Sean Chubb (Chairperson). Thurlow Farm, PO Box 126, Eston, 3740. Tel & Fax: +27 31 781 1978. E-mail: [email protected] Northern Clivia Club: Lena van der Merwe (Secretary). PO Box 74868, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040. Tel & Fax: +27 12 804 8892. E-mail: [email protected] Border Interest Group: Stella van Gass (Chairperson). 16 Greenan Street, Berea, East London, 5241. Tel +27 43 721 2964 Free Stale Clivia: Hennie van der Mescht, 18 Mettam Street, Fichardt Park, Bloemfontein, 9322. Tel. +27 51 522 9530. Fax: +27 51 436 4340. E-mail: [email protected] Garden Route Gerrie Brits (Chairperson). Tel: +27 44 8028420. Clivia Interest Group: Fax: +27 44 8707550. Cell: 082 7385 842. E-mail [email protected] Metro Group: Glynn Middlewick (Chairperson). 2 Willow Road, Northcliff, 2195. Tel +27 11 476 1463. E-mail: [email protected] Northern KZN: Dries Olivier. PO Box 8783, Newcastle, 2940. Tel +27 83 264 6230. Fax: +27 34 318 6667. E-mail: [email protected] Waterberg Boslelieklub: An Jacobs. PO Box 3893, Nylstroom, 0510. Tel & Fax: +27 14 717 2674. E-mail: [email protected] Zoutpansberg: Anneke Stroebel (Secretary). PO Box 1712, Louis Trichardt, 0920. Tel +27 83 326 6073. Fax +27 15 516 5710. E-mail: [email protected] Lowveld interest group: Ian Radmore (Secretary). PO Box 1146, White River, 1240 Tel: +27 13 751 2051. E-mail: [email protected]

EDITOR OF NEWSLETTER Meg Hart. 70 The Valley Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193. Tel & Fax +27 11 646 9392, E-mail: [email protected]

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Cobus Roos. Tel 082 416 6178, E-mail: [email protected]

CLIVIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman: Chris Vlok, PO Box 99583, Garsfontein 0060, Tel H + 27 12 998 5942, e-maii: [email protected] Secretary: Lena van der Merwe. PO Box 74868, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040, Tel & Fax +27 12 804 8892, e-mail: [email protected] Vice-Chairman: John van der Linde, 1 Wheelan Str., Newlands, 7700 Tel & Fax +27 21 671 4535. e-mail: [email protected] Treasurer: Bossie de Kock, PO Box 38539, Garsfontein, 0042, Tel +27 12 998 3620, e-mail: [email protected] Office Bearer: Ken Smith, 593 Hawkesbury Rd, Winmalee, NSW 2777, Australia. Tel +61 2 47543287. E- mail: [email protected]

REPRESENTATIVES OF CONSTITUENT CLIVIA CLUBS

Cape: Claude Felbert, Felicity Weeden, one position vacant Eastern Province: Willie le Roux, Charl Coetzee Northern: Lena van der Merwe, Peter Lambert, Bossie de Kock KwaZulu-Natal: Sean Chubb

REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS MEMBERS

Keith Hammett. 488C Don Buck Rd, Massey, Auckland 8, New Zealand. Tel +64 9 833-9453. E-mail: [email protected] Michael Morri, PO. Box 192, Union City, Michigan 49094 USA. Direct enquiries to Michael at either tel. (517) 741-4769 or E-mail: [email protected] Ken Smith. 593 Hawkesbury Rd., Winmalee, NSW 2777, Australia. Tel + 61 2 47543287. E-mail: [email protected] Aart van Voorst. Frederick Hendriklaan 49, Hillegom, TE 2181, Netherlands. Tel: +31 252529679; email: [email protected]

OTHER OVERSEAS CONTACT PERSONS FOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION United Kingdom Dr Hamish Sloan, 40 Wendan Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7AF, England, UK. Tel: 044 1635 47417; e-mail: [email protected] New Zealand Di Smith, 71 Taylor Road, Mangere Bridge, Auckland, New Zealand. Tel: (09) 634 6807 or 021 231 9200; e-maii: [email protected]

(Continued on inside back cover) CLIVIA SOCIETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Inside front cover EDITORIAL-Meg Hart 2 FROM THE CHAIRMAN - Chris Vlok 2 OBITUARY-GERT WIESE-Mick Dower 4 INVITATION TO ORDER CLIVIA MIRABILIS SEEDLINGS 7 STORIES BEHIND THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHS— John van der Linde 9 CORRESPONDENCE 10 Cape Clivia Club colour chart - Mick Dower 10 Experiment using Superthrive for Clivia seed germination under controlled temperature - Mitch Rundle 10 Clivias are a growing interest for Danielle - Gillian McAinish (Eastern Province Herald) 12 Siamese or what? - Tom Whitehorn 12 FROM THE CLIVIA ENTHUSIAST E-MAIL GROUP 13 Light of Buddha and Akebono Daruma - Roger Dixon 13 Microchips in valuable clivia plants? - Dickie Gunston 13 Clivia photography - Ian Coates 14 PRACTICAL HINTS FOR BEGINNERS 14 DEFINITION OF TERMS AND GLOSSARY 19 CLIVIA CLUBS AND INTEREST GROUPS 20 WATERBERG BOSLELIE INTEREST GROUP - Johan & An Jacobs 20 NORTHERN CLIVIA CLUB - Christo Topham 20 KWAZULU-NATAL CLIVIA CLUB - Val Thurston 21 SOUTPANSBERG CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP - Anneke Stroebel 22 NORTHERN KWAZULU-NATAL INTEREST GROUP 23 FREE STATE CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP - Hennie van der Mescht 23 LOWVELD CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP - Daan Dekker 24 CAPE CLIVIA CLUB - John Winter 24 METRO INTEREST GROUP - Glynn Middiewick 25 EASTERN PROVINCE CLIVIA CLUB - Willie le Roux 26 GARDEN ROUTE CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP 26 CLIVIA SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA - Brian Steven 26 NEW ZEALAND CLIVIA CLUB - Di Smith 27 NORTH AMERICAN CLIVIA SOCIETY: 3rd International Huntington Clivia Symposium - Jim Shields 29 AMERICAN CLIVIA SOCIETY - James Black 29 FOR SALE 30 BEGINNER’S LUCK-Willie le Roux 31 ON THE COMPOST HEAP-Meg Hart 32 Views expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the Committee and the Clivia Society

1 The present newsletter, the last of 2004, is an end leaving a substantial gap in the largely devoted to the reports of the Clubs 'Newsletter. There were very few contribu­ and Interest Groups, both locally and over­ tions to the ‘Correspondence’ section for this seas. It is ironical that those Clubs which newsletter. Mitch Rundie has been experi­ were last to hold their shows were the first to menting growing seedlings with Superthrive. send in their reports for publication. Shows Another young member from The Eastern are not only about winning awards. The Province Clivia Club is introduced and Tom preparation leading to the final show day is Whitehorn has a question to ask about his both exhilarating and frustrating. However, Yellow multipetal. Other contributions have the camaraderie that accompanies these come from the Internet Clivia Enthusiast events will be remembered for years after­ Group. Always useful for new growers, is a wards. Many ideas for providing the public section which gives practical advice to with information about clivia and motivating beginners. Please submit any ideas you them to grow clivia come from shows and may have to this section. The North exhibitions. There are good ideas in the American Clivia Society advises interested report from the New Zealand Clivia Club. members about the Clivia Symposium at the Don’t forget to visit the Clivia Society web­ Huntington in California next year. Although site www.clivias.com for photographs of costly, those who have been there will attest clivia at the shows. At last Clivia mirabilis to the magnificence of this landmark seedlings are available and details as how to Botanical site on the West Coast - definitely order them are given. a once in a lifetime opportunity for Clivia growers around the world. Sadly, we have lost another of our avid Clivia Society members. Gert Wiese passed away This editorial brings to a close another excel­ on 16 November 2004 after a year's battle lent year. The Editor wishes all a happy fes­ with cancer. He will be sorely missed. Our tive season and looks forward to an exciting deepest sympathy to Winsome and family. new year. John van der Linde’s series on ‘Some early Editor. names associated with Clivia’ has come to

In the previous newsletter we stated that the chosen as the winning entry. Initially the Clivia Society was requested by the editor of idea was to name the winning entry ‘Oprah’. Oprah Magazine not to make an official However, when it became known that the announcement regarding the “Finding Oprah plant was unofficially known as 'Bella Project”. We can now announce that Ms. Donna’, ’Bella Donna Oprah’ was chosen as Winfrey has given written permission for a an appropriate name. Oprah Magazine Clivia to be named after her. A clivia grown South African editor, Kgomotso Matsunyane by Bertie Guillaume of Brom ‘n Nel Nursery afterwards said: “In fact, when we chose in the Limpopo Province of South Africa was this specific clivia, we did not know that it 2 was already unofficially named ‘Bella tical Clivia growing hints with us. The Donna'. Adding Oprah’s name to the plant response was disappointing to say the least made perfect sense for this beautiful flower - nobody responded. This time we had a and one of the most inspirational women in much better response from members who the world.” An application to register the were approached by e-mail. Thank you to plant as ‘Bella Donna Oprah’ has been sub­ those who have spared a minute or two of mitted to Ken Smith, the international regis­ their time sharing their knowledge and ideas trar for the genus clivia. A sucker of ‘Bella with us. Please let this not be a once only Donna Oprah’ will also be presented to Ms. contribution. Every member is invited to Winfrey. Thank you to John van der Linde, either forward hints on growing clivia to the Claude Felbert, Mickey Hoctor and Cobus editor or to ask for advice on growing clivia. Roos for your contribution to the “Finding We will do our best to address your ques­ Oprah Project”. It is much appreciated. tions in forthcoming newsletters. As a result of the weakening of foreign cur­ rencies relative to the South African rand and the escalation of postage fees, we had to reconsider the membership fees applicable to clivia enthusiasts resident outside South Africa. As a result the fees have been increased from US$ 20 to US$ 25. A document listing the results of all the 2004 South African Clivia shows will soon be for­ warded to Club secretaries and representa­ tives of Clivia enthusiasts resident outside South Africa. Please contact these persons should you be interested in a copy. On behalf of the Clivia Society I would like to express our condolences with the Abel and Wiese families. Connie and James Abel’s son in law suddenly passed away during Other good news is that approval has been October. Oom Gert served as a Club repre­ given to Kirstenbosch to sentative on the Clivia Society since May coordinate the sale of approximately 1200 2001. Oom Gert, the balanced perspective two-year-old Clivia mirabilis seedlings. Full you brought to Annual General Meetings will details on how to go about ordering be sadly missed. seedlings, appears on page 7 of this newsletter. Please note that the closing date The management committee of the Clivia for orders is 31 January 2005. Society wishes you a blessed festive season and a 2005 that will turn out to be a peach of During show time several new members a year. joined Clivia Clubs. We considered it appro­ priate to source material that could smooth Clivia greetings the learning curve. I recall that a couple of Chris Vlok years ago we asked members to share prac­

3 We bid farewell to a great friend and stalwart Gold’, It was photographed for the Yearbook this morning (16 November 2004). Gert and also appeared on the front cover of a Wiese had been fighting lymph cancer with Clivia Society Newsletter. great determination for over a year but suc­ cumbed peacefully when it recurred in his Gert was always more than generous in lungs, fie was a man of deep faith. sharing his knowledge of clivia and his plants with other enthusiasts and helping begin­ ners. No beginner ever left his home without a few gift plants. From its inception Gert played a leading role on the Committee of the Cape Clivia Club and has also been one of our representatives on the Clivia Society, When the facilities at Kirstenbosch became too small for our Shows, he initiated the move to far more suitable premises at Bellville and ensured the success of the Shows held there. Less than two months ago, and despite his illness, he again showed plants which were adjudged Gert Wiese (left) receiving honorary member­ best in their class. ship of the Cape Clivia Club True to his caring for others, he also took it upon himself to source potting soil, pots, Gert celebrated his 83rd birthday last fertilizer and chemicals at wholesale prices, Tuesday and our deepest sympathy is felt for made them available at a small profit to our Winsome and their six children. They have Club members and passed the profit on to been everybody's ideal family, very close, the Club. and with five of the children now in Cape Town, Winsome will not be alone. They are He had a lasting effect in many other also embraced by the love from their many spheres, also the other communities in friends. which he stayed. Gert was a kingpin and a Honorary Life He was a true gentleman, modest, unselfish, Member of the Cape Clivia Club. He had caring for all and a loving and deeply loved been growing clivia for over 30 years, at first patriarch of his family. concentrating on improving the yellow clivia from the habitat at Howick in Natal to the Mick Dower point where it was twice ‘Best on Show’. Cape Town. His breeding was so successful that it is the only clivia that I know that can be said to (Below is the Afrikaans version of the obitu­ breed virtually true from seed. To celebrate ary which was translated by Coen Caiitz, the golden anniversary of the women's mag­ Stellenbosch) azine “Sarie”, Gert agreed to name it ‘Sarie

4 GERT WIESE aan sy omgee-aard, neem hy op sy skouers die reusetaakom potgrond, kunsmis, chemi- Vanoggend se ons totsiens aan ‘n groot kalie en potte aan Klublede beskikbaar te vriend en opregte staatmaker, 'n pilaar in die stel, teen groothandelpryse met ‘n klein win- Clivia-huis. Gert Wiese het vir meer as ‘n jaar sie vir die klub. verbete geveg teen limf kanker, maar het vreedsaam heengegaan toe dit weer in sy Op vele ander gebiede, ook in die gemeens- longe toegeslaan het. Hy was ‘n diep kappe waarin hy gewoon het, het hy ‘n onuit- gelowige mens, wat sy 83ste verjaarsdag wisbare effek gehad. laas Dinsdag gevier het, omring deur sy Hy was 'n ware heer - nederig, onselfsugtig. liefdevolle gesin. Ons bied ons innigste sim- patie aan Winsome en hulle ses kinders. meelewend en ‘n liefdevolle en geliefde patri- Hulle is vir baie die ideale gesin, baie geheg arg vir sy gesin. en meelewend, met 5 van hulle in Kaapstad. Opgestel deur: Mick Dower, Kaapstad Genadiglik sal Winsome nie nou alleen wees nie. Die liefde van hulle baie vriende sal hulle (Jry vertaal deur Coen Calitz, Stellenbosch: ook omhels. “Gegroet, Oom Gert, dit was ‘n tang, mooi reis van Kakamas af"). Gert was ‘n ere-lewenslid en ‘n groot gees in die Kaapse Clivia Klub. Hy kweek Clivia oor Other comments about Gert Wiese meer as 30 jaar, aanvanklik met die hoofdo- el om die geel Clivia wat natuurlik by Howick One of the very first plants that I purchased in Natal voorgekom het, te verbeter. Dit was four years ago was this plant from Oom Gert so suksesvol dat dit twee keer die Wiese. This photograph was taken on the Skoubeste was. Dit is dusver na my beste day of his death - in full flower for the second wete die enigste geel wat bykans volkome time this season. This is a semi-broadleaf, a suiwer met saad voortplant. Vir die 50ste show prizewinner and certainly one of my verjaarsdag van die bekende vrouetydskrif favorite plants. I am very proud of this plant. SARIE, het Gert ingestem dat die besondere Bye Oom Gert Wiese. plant “Sarie Goud” kan heet. Foto’s hiervan het in die Jaarboek en op die voorblad van Gerrie Brits. die Clivia Nuusbrief verskyn. Garden Route Clivia Club Gert was altyd besonder vrygewig met sy kennis en plante aan Clivia entoesiaste en veral aan beginners. Nuwe kwekers het altyd van sy huis af vertrek met ‘n paar geskenk- plante in die hand. Vanaf stigting was Gert ‘n leier op die komi- tee van die Kaapse Clivia Klub en hy was een van ons verteenwoordigers op die Clivia ver- eniging. Toe die fasiliteite by Kirstenbosch te beperk geword het vir ons skou, inisieer en reel hy die skuif na die meer geskikte plek in Bellville en doen ook baie moeite om die suk- You gave me my first Yellow (Howick) and ses daar te verseker. In die afgelope twee treated me always with respect. The first jaar, ten spyte van sy siekte, skou hy nog lesson you gave me in 1997 was, here we plante wat die beste in hulle klas is. Getrou are not Prof. or Dr. or anything. Here we are

5 Shields Gardens Ltd. P.O. Box 92 Westfield, IN 46074, U.S.A. Conway'sWe now export Clivias to the whole world. Already well-known among American connoisseurs of fine clivias, David Conway’s wonderful cultivarsClivia of miniata from Santa Barbara, California, are now being introduced by us to the rest of the World. See them on the web at http://www.shieldsgardens.com/Clivia/Conway.html We also have rare and unusual species of Haemanthus, Scadoxus, and Nerine, as well as species and hybrids of Crinum. Shields Gardens Ltd. http://w\v\v. shieldsgardens.com/ E-mail: Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 (international) & 1-866-449-3344 (toll-free in USA) Fax ++1-317-896-5126 equals. Thanks also to Winsome. You Every person that attended the ceremony touched me. received a seedling from Oom Gert’s collec­ tion Charl Coetzee Port Elizabeth, South Africa Oom Gert was not only always prepared to share his knowledge, he always wanted to I just had the privilege to attend the funeral of give... Dankie Oom Gert Oom Gert Wiese. I would like to share something that says something of Oom Gert. Phil Pieterse.

The Northern Cape Department of species discovered in the winter rainfall Conservation has granted NBI a permit to region of the Northern Cape, falls under the sell Clivia mirabilis plants. It is hoped that the protection of the Department of Nature seedlings will be large enough to sell by Conservation Northern Cape. Any sale of March 2005. The price per seedling will be Clivia mirabilis material will form part of a R200. An advert will be placed on the NBI community upliftment project in the website, ttp://www.sanbi.org/frames/what- Northern Cape. Seed was harvested and snewfram.htm. Definitely no seed or pollen brought to Kirstenbosch National Botanical will be available for sale. Depending on Garden to germinate and grow on to a suit­ demand, Kirstenbosch will be provided with able size for sale. further seed to grow on for sale in due course. Orders can be placed with Sale Conditions Joy Woodward It is estimated that up to 1200 two year old Cape Clivia Club seedlings will be available by early 2005. P 0 Box 53219 Supply may be limited, on a without fear or Kenilworth 7745 favour basis, depending on the demand for Tel 021 799 8768 ’seedlings. Orders will be limited to a maxi­ Fax 021 61 4687 mum of five seedlings per person, but if E-mail [email protected] or wood- there is an over demand, to one per person [email protected] and by a draw, if necessary. The cost per seedling will be R200.00, plus postage, The following document has been taken packaging and the cost of a phytosanitary from the above-mentioned website certificate (if necessary), and bank charges. An opportunity all Clivia fans have been Credit card facilities will be available at an keenly awaiting additional cost of 5%. Up to 1200 two year old seedlings will be This first release of Clivia mirabilis will be available early in 2005 coordinated by the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden may Background reserve and purchase some of these Clivia mirabilis, the recently described seedlings to exchange for rare Clivia culti-

7 vars which will enhance its collections of for the successful growing of Clivia mirabilis. Clivia. The seedlings on offer have been grown in two different mediums, one of milled pine bark and the other consists of equal parts Growing Clivia mirabilis milled pine bark and coarse sand. Either This species occurs naturally in an arid medium can be used. Care must be taken Mediterranean type climate experiencing a not to over water. prolonged hot dry summer. Vegetative growth takes place in winter and flowering in How to Order early summer (mid October to mid November). The growth rhythm is the oppo­ All orders must: site of all the other known species which ● Addressed to Joy Woodward. occur in a summer rainfall area. ● By post to Kirstenbosch, SANBI, The horticultural attributes of Clivia mirabilis Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, South are: Africa ● By fax to+27 (021) 761 4687; ● Appears to be fully sun tolerant ● By e-mail to [email protected] ● Very drought resistant Please type: Clivia mirabilis order in the ● The species is apparently most closely subject line. related to Clivia nobilis but its seedlings differ markedly in their very ● All orders must indicate number much more rapid vegetative growth, required and give full name, postal their long linear sub erect leaves with a address and telephone/fax numbers of median white stripe and the prominent purchaser purple red pigmentation of the leaf ● Safe receipt of every order will be bases. acknowledged within one week. ● It has potential to hybridise with other ● The closing date for orders will be 31 species of Clivia to produce a race of January 2005. drought resistant and sun hardy forms ● All persons placing orders will be which should grow very well in dry advised, as soon as possible after that Mediterranean climates. closing date, to what extent their ● There is no experience of its frost har­ orders have been successful, how diness but the habitat occasionally much they must pay and payment experiences brief periods of a few method options. degrees below zero temperatures in ● All plants will be posted by overnight winter. mail to South African destinations and by registered airmail to overseas desti­ Cultivation nations, all at buyer’s risk. A well drained growing medium is essential

8 The cover photographs this quarter are all of Photo no. 1 (Front cover) miniata with dark orange to red flowers. This picture was chosen for the front cover Such dark colours are in high demand from as being a very good example of a dark collectors and the public, both for their con­ orange/red flower. However, it is not as red trast with the more usual lighter oranges and as the faces of those who chose it. as we for their rarity. From results reported by a seem to have lost its identity! If you recog­ number of breeders, it would seem that it is nize it please tell Meg Hart, the Newsletter generally difficult to predict that a cross Editor, what you know of the plant. It cer­ between two dark orange/reds (or a selfing) tainly is a good illustration of some of the will produce seedlings which will flower true points made above. to their parent's colour. In many cases the seedlings have lighter-coloured flowers than the parents. Furthermore, very dark, highly Photo no. 2 (back cover) pigmented stems do not guarantee that the This plant belongs to Toy Jennings, now of resulting flowers will be dark! At best, it Fish Hoek in the Cape Peninsula, but former­ seems necessary to grow a batch of ly of Pretoria. It is a sucker of a plant bred in seedlings from dark orange/red parentage Pretoria by the late Tienie Holtzhausen from on to maturity, and then to select out those Belgian Hybrid stock. After his death, some (if any) with desirable dark orange/red flow­ of his plants were sold off, snapped up by ers. Alternatively, one has to try to get hold enthusiasts who knew of Tienie’s success in of an offset from a known dark orange/red breeding top plants over many years. His plant. widow, Annatjie, is a member of the Also, it is probable that the darker the colour, Northern Clivia Club. the more likely it is that the flowers are fun­ Toy bought this particular plant after seeing nel-shaped (longer than they are wider), the mother plant in flower and noting its rich rather than more open, which is more com­ dark orange to red colour. Her plant flowered monly the case with lighter orange coloured in August 2001, 2002 and 2003, producing flowers. So dark orange/reds like ‘Wisley two umbels on each occasion. It decided to Red', with its more open flowers, are be different in 2004 and flowered in October, extremely rare. Another feature that has and to date has had only one head of flow­ been noticed is that most dark orange/reds ers. seem to have European breeding some­ where in their background - these dark Toy used the RHS Colour Chart to colour colours do not seem to occur in the wild. code the flower as RHS 43B in the red group. Perhaps funnel shaped flowers are an indica­ This corresponds pretty well with the colour tor of nobilis, or other pendulous “blood” “orange/red” on the Cape Clivia Club colour introduced into plants crossbred in chart. The funnel-shaped flowers are 70mm Germany, Belgium or elsewhere in Europe long and 66mm across. As can be seen 100 or more years ago? Further evidence of from the picture, the small light yellow throat European breeding might be the broader is not prominent. There is a good overlap of leaves, and also flowers which tend to face the nicely rounded petals. Each year one or upwards - look at the plants pictured here. two flowers have had more than the usual 6 petals. Toy tells me the plant is self-fertile, 9 but that she has not bred any plants from its As plants grown from seed come into flower, seed. It has yet to produce an offset, and they are sorted by colour and then the most Toy has a queue of people waiting... desirable ones are grouped together. The plant pictured, which is believed to have a Photo no. 3 (back cover) Belgian Hybrid background, was chosen to be photographed for its exceptionally red This plant was photographed at Cape Foliage colour which set it apart from the rest. The Farm, a corporate member of the Cape Clivia flowers, like most dark orange to reds, do Club, at their huge shade house complex on not open very wide. As can be seen, a par­ the way to Malmesbury, north of Cape Town. ticularly noteworthy feature that makes this Their main business is , which they pro­ plant special is the almost complete absence duce for florists and for the export market. of a throat of another colour. Contrast this Their clivia collection is largely based on feature with the flowers pictured in the other plants brought down to the Cape from two photographs. Eastern Mpumalanga, including the well- known ‘Cameron Peach’. John van der Linde

Cape Clivia Colour Chart Experiment using Superthrive for Clivia As one of the creators of the Cape Clivia seed germination under controlled tem­ Chart I confirm that ‘Dark Red’ was not perature intended to be RHS45A or 46A but a darker red which we identified in clivia and which is I was requested to conduct an experiment not on the RHS chart. with “Superthrive” and would like to share my experience with fellow clivia enthusiasts. We are preparing a supplementary chart, Using a sharp 5mm hollow punch the outer which will have additional colours and could membranes of seeds were pierced in a circle well concentrate more on the yellows, around the radicle. A pair of tweezers and/or orange/reds, and peach/apricots. All sug­ fingernails were used to remove the mem­ gestions of what specific colours to include brane from the seed. A mixture of will be very welcome - you can refer to Superthrive was prepared (3 drops per colours on the RHS chart or any other chart 250ml of water) in which the seed was that is readily available, especially where the immersed. Much to my surprise the radicle RHS chart does not have that particular emerged within minutes of the membrane clivia flower colour. being removed. This was probably due to It has also been suggested that the chart pressure within the seed itself. should be a matt dark grey basic colour. It The following seeds were used in the above will also be more flexible - any comments or experiment. other suggestions? Group No 1 Botha’s Dark Red x self With best wishes, Group No 2 Bing Wiese Cyrtanthiflora Mick Dower, Cape Town. x yellow Group No 3 Howick yellow x Chubb’s

10 peach After 1 day in the CT room 2 seeds of Group Group No 4 Gardenii x Bill Morris 3 were showing signs of leaves. After 2 days in the CT room 1 seed of Group Group No 5 Hall yellow x Bing Wiese 1 was making a leaf. Cyrtanthiflora It seems that some of the radicles are about The seed was put into the Superthrive solu­ „to wither, as they have not progressed fur­ tion at 18:30 on Friday evening 13 August ther into the direction of the filter sand. This 2004. At 19:30 Saturday evening 14 August is a small percentage. 2004 the seed was removed and put into moist sand beds that had been sterilized in a 18 seeds that were not treated or modified in microwave for 4 minutes and then cooled. any way were planted and they showed no The seeds were then placed in a controlled indication of germination after day 3, nor temperature room and maintained at 22 to after 20 days. 24 degrees Centigrade. After 22 days 94 to 100 percent of the seed The seed was noticed to having the follow­ had leaves ranging between 3mm and ing: 15mm long. All the seeds have been plant­ Group No 1 Had 10 with emerged radicles and 10 that had not emerged. 50 % Group No 2 Had 37 with emerged radicles and 16 that had not emerged. 70 % Group No 3 Had 17 with emerged radicles and 19 that had not emerged. 47 % Group No 4 Had 22 with emerged radicles and 11 that had not emerged. 67 % Group No 5 Had 18 with emerged radicles and 35 that had not emerged. 34 % The lengths of the radicles ranged between 1 and 3 mm long. ed into seed trays and there seems to be no indication of failure thus far. See attached The daily observations are listed in the table photo of the seed after 3 days. below.

DAY Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 AVE °l 0 50% 70% 47% 67% 34% 53.6 1 70% 79% 92.6% 94% 83% 83 2 95% 89% 100% 97% 98% 95.8 3 95% 91% 100% 97% 100% 96.6 4 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

11 What was strange and new to me, being a member. Most of the Clivia Club members novice was that some seeds from Group No are past 40 - or even 50 for that matter! - so 3 had up to 4 radicles emerging at random. she can cross-pollinate such a lot because These might be something new and wonder­ of her young age.” ful. Enterprising Danielle featured in La Femme Regards last year for her homemade floral pens - and Mitch Rundle her mother, Sue, encourages her green-fin- E.P Clivia Club gered daughter’s horticultural interests. Tel 041-3714460 “We are home schooling, so this is another interest to build on,”,Sue said. The main I have a question regarding the control focus of Danielle’s education is mathematics group of 18 seeds that “ were not treated and languages, and she then explores con­ or modified in any way... ’’ and did not ger­ tent areas that are of interest, like gardening. minate after 20 days. Had the outer mem­ branes of these seeds been pierced or not? By Gillian McAinsh This may have changed the germination out­ COURTESEY OF LA FEMME EASTERN come of the control group had they been PROVINCE HERALD pierced. Was the phenomenal germination Siamese or what? of the seeds in the experiment due to Superthrive alone or to the fact that the seed During the previous flowering season I found coatings had been pierced in the vicinity of one flower on a yellow clivia that had ten the radicles? Editor. perianth lobes, ten anthers as well as two stigmas. I hand-pollinated both stigmas that Clivias are a growing interest for Danielle had one combined ovary. The other flowers on the plant were normal and showed no The Eastern Province Clivia Club has a fresh signs of being multi petal in any way. bloom in its ranks, Danielle Durandt, a 12- year-old girl who, according to the club PRO, has a bright future in flowers. Young Danielle Durandt, a Grade 6 pupil, attended the annual clivia show last year and was so dazzled by the vivid orange and yel­ low flowers that she asked if she could sign up. As the club is always looking for new members, it was only too delighted to oblige. “I love planting things and seeing them grow,” said Danielle. Clivia club PRO Gideon Botha said that, as The seed in question is at this stage much Danielle was only 12, she had a lifetime of larger than the other seeds. It is obvious that clivia growing ahead of her. It takes more the pollination of the two stigmas had result­ than two years to propagate the more com­ ed in the formation of one combined seed mon orange bloom from seed to flower, and capsule. It also appears that the pedicel up to four or five years for some of the yel­ attached to the seed, consists of two units low varieties, he said. “If she starts now, at that are also combined as a single unit. To 12, she will be able to see many more gen­ put it shortly it appears that the flower in all erations of clivias than the average club

12 respects opened as a double and is now occurrence? Can the experts please provide bearing a double seed. (Please see photo) me with an explanation? This process has repeated itselt during the Tom Whitehorn. recent flowering season. Is this a common

Light of Buddha and Akebono Daruma dinal variegation, although never all three on the same plant. However this is not neces­ 9 November 2004 sarily impossible. Some Akebono + longi­ Dear Col, tudinal variegation plants show distinct tar­ tan patterning on their leaves! From my observations and culture, there is a distinct difference between LOB and Mr. Wu Bo, a famous clivia breeder and dis­ Akebono. The typical Akebono displays hor­ coverer of this leaf color mutation, quite by izontal bands on the leaves which are sea­ chance many years ago, developed ‘Light of sonally driven - i.e. it appears that tempera­ Buddha' (LOB). At first, most clivia enthusi­ ture plays a role in determining whether asts in China did not like LOB because they chloroplasts are developed. James Abel has thought it was diseased! The leaves of the a lot more to say in Yearbook 6 about original LOB plant were narrow and long. Mr. Akebono and there are illustrations as well. Wu started a breeding program to cross Once developed, the distinct horizontal and LOB with Japanese Daruma. About 80% of usually white band is there for the life of the the progeny of a LOB plant will show varie­ plant. gation but at the 1-4 leaf stage the variega­ tion is not obvious and will improve later in LOB, on the other hand, has a totally differ­ its growth. The reason for all the different ent modus operandi. Often only starting varieties of LOB and Akebono seen in after the first few leaves have formed, the Chinese Clivia today is a result of crossing leaf emerges a clear yellow colour, less the two strains, so new combinations keep often whitish. As the leaf gets larger, it will popping up. slowly turn green in those areas exposed to the most light. The old, lower leaves in a Roger (in sticky, hot and dry Pretoria). LOB thus tend to be much greener than the new leaves. As successive leaves are formed, chevron green patterns appear as a Microchips in valuable clivia plants? result of more light due to the plant being Hi Everybody, moved, etc. For this reason it is best to grow LOB plants out of direct sunlight, in a Sincere sympathy to all those who have lost shady place to achieve the most dramatic plants as a result of “theft". Just a sugges­ coloration. Also do not keep turning the tion, if you own a plant, and you really love plant or unwanted markings may result. it, and it is valuable, have a micro-chip Also do not overfeed - this also stimulates embedded in the plant. If it’s stolen, you will the chloroplasts to go green. be able to get it back. I have micro-chips in a few “Cycads”, brought from the Eastern One does sometime see combinations of Cape during 2003 to the Western Cape and LOB coloring and Akebono, as also longitu­

13 have been assured by Nature Conservation ited at Clivia shows around the world this that if stolen; they can be traced. year. There is no such show in the UK and we rely on your photographs to inspire us It pays to look after your investments. and to appreciate what is happening. Your Clivia regards, pictures are particularly important to us as, sadly, we could probably never get such a Dickie Gunston. show off the ground here due to the small Dickie. number of growers. However, that should not stop us taking pictures and showing In spite of its name, a “microchip” might be them to members around the world. To keep a little too large in relation to the size of a the flag flying for Lady Charlotte, could I Clivia. Also, since most Clivia don't have a encourage all Clivia Society members, espe­ permanent, “woody” trunk, it might be cially those in the UK, to send an image to impractical as a long-term solution. It does­ the big annual event, the Clivia photographic n't take long for people to work around anti­ competition? Apart from the fabulous theft devices. Cycad thieves are using radi­ prizes, winning images are published in the ography to detect the chips, which are then Year Book for all to enjoy. excised from the trunk. Remember, this competition is more about Lastly, there is a vast difference between photography than plants, so even your ‘tracing’ a plant and identifying it. The chip orange miniata could win it for you. There can aid in the recovery of a stolen plant only are lots of different categories and pictures if the stolen plant is first located. This is dif­ can be of a group of plants, a single whole ficult enough in the case of a large, obvious, plant or a close-up detail - but make sure relatively rare plant such as a specimen your picture is sharp where it matters. cycad, but trying to track down something Avoid a distracting background. Strong as common as a Clivia via microchip would colours or extraneous objects will take your most likely prove to be an exercise in futility. eyes away from the flower. See Newsletter 3 Ken K of 2004 for a copy of the entry form. You will East S.E Bay Area note that you can send prints or emails. California It couldn’t be easier! I know closing date is USDA Zone 9 a long way off but why not send some entries now? You can always send more Clivia photography later. Go for it - and good luck ! I would like to add my thanks and congratu­ Ian Coates. lations to all those who organised and exhib­ England.

PRACTICAL HINTS FOR BEGINNERS the learning curve. I recall that a couple of years ago we asked members to share prac­ During show time several new members tical Clivia growing hints with us. The joined Clivia Clubs. \Ne considered it appro­ response was disappointing to say the least priate to source material that could smooth - nobody responded. This time we had a

14 much better response from members who by trial and error, and the best and only were approached by e-mail. Thank you to advice I am thus far able to give is that those who have spared a minute or two of potential enthusiasts should make a their time sharing their knowledge and ideas concerted effort to find out all they can with us. Please let this not be a once only about a suitable growing medium. It is contribution. Every member is invited to absolutely heartbreaking to see your either forward hints on growing clivia to the year old seedlings die due to root rot. I editor or to ask for advice on growing clivia. am of the opinion that getting the We will do our best to address your questions growing medium right could be the sin­ in forthcoming newsletters. (Chris Vlok) gle most important component in growing of Clivia. Chris Vlok, Northern Clivia Club ● Reduce the risk of fungal diseases by Andre Calitz - E.RC.C. only watering your clivias in the morn­ It can generally be said that Clivias can grow ing. in any medium - some growers grow them ● When pollinating write (with a perma­ in plain “pine needles" and some in plain nent marker pen) the number or name “fine bark”. I personally believe that a Clivia of the pollen plant on the peduncle of is a hardy plant and will grow in any type of the mother plant. soil. ● Keep a permanent marker pen and a dozen or two plant markers in a water­ My mixture for all Clivias, from a one year proof container in the garden or shade old to mature plants consists of the follow­ house - as we get older we tend to for­ ing: get the story behind the clivia that was ● 70 % fine bark put aside to be labeled later. ● 10% river sand (coarse sand like “swimming pool filter sand”) Gideon Botha - E.RC.C. ● 15 % potting soil ● Serious growers believe that seedlings ● 5% bonemeal / peatmoss / vermu- with seed still attached do not need culite / Bounceback. any additional feeding. I experienced As you will notice, this is a very “loose” mix­ that some seeds do not contain enough ture that works for me. I also applied the nutrients and additional feeding does principle that “the thicker the root, the less not do any harm. water the plant needs”. I water my Clivias every second week and spray their leaves Mitch Rundle - E.RC.C. with water on “hot” days. I also feed my What I have found is that my germinated Clivias once a month, either through the root seedlings that still have seed attached seem systems or their leaves. to do better if they are kept in shade deeper than what comes through 80% cloth. All the Willie le Roux - E.RC.C. leaves shine as though they have just been wiped with Oleum mixture. To prevent root-rot amongst my Clivias I provide extra drainage by cutting at least three additional slots, side to bottom of each Wimpie Maass - E.RC.C. pot, using two discs (on top of each other) in ● As a beginner myself, I am still learning an angle grinder. - Willie Le Roux - E.PC.C.

15 Chari Coetzee - E.RC.C. Amaryllis caterpillar. The lily borer ● Plants prefer fresh HUMID air, and prefers the softer stems of Crinum and should only be watered when nearly the worms will first infest them, provid­ dry (no fixed frequency). ing an early warning to use insecticide. ● Colonise the growing medium with the “Garden Ripcord" is effective, but beneficial fungus TROCHODERMA. It apply it as a drench with a bucket or competes with less wanted fungi. watering can; spraying is futile as the Administer by adding TRICHOFLOW to worms are inside the leaves, not on the water or mix TRICHODRY into the top. Margaret Roberts's biological medium. caterpillar killer is also evidently very ● At the coast, always add light nutrition effective. It is A wetable powder that to the water and water well, to prevent uses germs to kill the worms instead of a salt build up. poison and is therefore environmental­ If possible keep a plant until it flow­ ly friendly. ered. It may produce that very special Welland Cowley, E.RC.C. flower you have been wishing for. ● Remember, growing Clivia should Twice a month you should give your Clivias a always be a hobby, be good to your shower by spraying them with water from Clivia friends, especially to your spouse above with the pistol type trigger sprayer - we need each other. which is supplied by Gardena and is a sim­ ple click-fix attachment to a garden hose. Dawie Van Der Mescht - E.RC.C This gets rid of mealy bugs and dust that col­ To germinate seeds, I put them in a contain­ lect between the leaves. If plants are regular­ er filled with a coarse medium such as ly treated in this manner they will be healthy swimming pool filter sand. I don’t perforate and disease-free. the bottom of the container, as I prefer the medium to remain moist. Wet thoroughly Charl Malan, Grahamstown, E.RC.C. and fix the container lid properly. I then put ● I use osmocote High K for my flowering the container in my garden shed, which has plants with very good results in an asbestos roof, which attracts heat to a respect of peduncle strength and great extent. Due to this excessive heat, the length and size of umbel. seeds start to germinate after 5 days. ● My worm barometer is Crinum mooreii from Eastern Cape. Mark Joubert - E.RC.C. ● I use 80% blue shade cloth on my ● Clivia will grow in poor shady soil shade houses. where few plants thrive e.g. Under Christo Topham, Northern Clivia Club Brazilian Pepper (Schinus Terebinthi- folius) trees. The bulbous root system ● When I lay seeds in trays for germinat­ will survive in soil that is matted with ing I put dead leaves on top of the seed other roots. Clivia gardenii is the to create the same environment where fastest growing of the family and its clivias grow in the wild. I have a lot of foliage will provide a lush, dark-green success with this method and do not swathe. The aloe-like flowers and lose seeds to rot. This practice also berries will attract birds. prevents seeds moving when they are ● Plant Marsh lilies (Crinum) close to watered. your Clivia as indicator plants for the ● Keep dead leaves in winter for

16 mulching clivias in pots. The mulch the berries themselves so that, if they provides food for clivia and keep the fall off when they are ripe, you will roots cool. know what they are! Potting soil purchased in bulk should be allowed to mature further, to pre­ Mike Jeans, United Kingdom vent losses when seedlings are trans­ planted or potted on. When first planting a plant that has been bare-rooted or plants from a division, I make Mick Dower, Cape Clivia Club sure that the point where the roots meet the -plant (the basal plate) is well above (1cm) All clivia require good drainage. the surface of the growing medium. In that Always choose pots with side holes. way, not only can I can keep an eye on the Keep clivia on the dry side. Their thick place where root rot usually starts, I can see roots act like water tanks but will rot if new roots as they form. Additionally, rot is they are kept too wet. A good test is to much less likely to occur well above the stick a finger into the pot’s soil - if one growing medium. If the plant is very valu­ feels dampness, the plants do not need able or important, the top of the roots can be water. On the other hand, if they get sprayed with fungicide. When the plant is too dry water will run through without fully established, additional growing medium wetting the loose and dry potting mix. can be added to the pot so that the basal In such a case soak the entire pot in plate sits on the surface. My experience is water for a few hours to saturate the that, even in cases of all the roots rotting, potting mix. the plant can nearly always be re-rooted Seedlings need permanent dampness without to much difficulty - after which it to ensure the growing points of the will grow away quite happily. new roots do not dry off and die. They must never be allowed to dry out, but again if dampness is present when Michael Morri, USA inserting a finger into a pot, they are Fungus gnat control: Fungus gnats (adults & fine. Too much water is also not larvae) can be a problem for those who grow appropriate. their Clivias indoors. Attach fly (sticky) tape If you pollinate all the florets on an to both sides of a plant marker and insert in umbel, you could land up with over a pot. This method will prevent the reproduc­ hundred seed, but all of the same tive cycle without any chemical use. breeding. To find out how the mother plant breeds with different “fathers”, pollinate 2 to 4 florets with pollen from Kimberley James, North America (submit­ say plant “A”. Mark the stem (pedicel) ted by Dr Lena van der Merwe) of that floret with one stripe using a sunfast pen and write on the stem of For any other creepy crawlies (aphids and the umbel; I = x A; pollinate another 2 mealy bugs) that may affect clivias or other to 4 florets with pollen from plant “B” plants, I use a spray made of ground and mark their pedicels with 2 stripes cayenne pepper, garlic mashed up and a tiny and write on the stem of the umbel: 11 bit of soap (1 teas, per galloon) to help the = x B - and so on with other pollens. mixture stick to the leaves. The bugs go When the berries are sufficiently away. If infestation was very bad, when they swollen, mark the relevant stripes on attempt to come back they bite and get a hot, nasty taste and take off again. I will

17 never convert the chemical folks in the world tant hits it. The pot slips off easily and of clivia, but for those interested in getting you can slip the undisturbed (and away from the use of chemicals, this mix­ undamaged) ball of roots into a previ­ ture works very well for me on ALL plants - ously prepared bigger pot. in and out of the garden! Opinion differs on whether a ball of I would err first on the side of making a mix­ roots should be combed out with the ture weaker, then adding a teeny bit more fingers when repotting. I think that the orange oil if not successful after 1-3 drench- least amount of disturbance of (and ings for mealy bugs. It should be successful therefore damage to) the roots is best. either way, but I always err on the side of a I disbelieve the old myth that clivia weaker solution when using orange oil - in must/wants to be pot bound to flower my experience, clivias can be a BIT more well. Use a wide pot, in balance with sensitive to orange oil than many other the height and spread of the Plant. To plants. When using this concoction on any make the large pot manageable, fill the plants during a time of increased HEAT bottom third with 5 cm (2 inch) pieces (summer or any temperatures above 80 or of styrofoam (white packaging materi­ 85 Fahrenheit), I trim down the orange oil yet al) and fill up with your ordinary com­ again. post mix. About fungi, before rushing out to [1 teas, per gallon = 12,5 ml per 3,8 litres invest in “good” fungi, which will of water] attack the “bad”, please think twice. Consider the human body - fungicides Wysneus, Western Cape, South Africa And antibiotics kill all or most of the spectrum - a veritable shotgun When germinating seeds, inspect them Approach. Look up the excellent article after about two weeks. Very often the on the preventative and curative use of skin has toughened and the little fungicides in the Cape Clivia Club's growth point is bulging under it. Get Cape News Number 4, November your reading glasses, sit under a 2004. This knowledgeable, profession­ strong light and carefully remove the al author is also of the opinion that the two-layered membrane, starting from beneficial fungi does not work for all a small aperture between the growth crops and situations. Is it used in agri­ point and the black patch. It looks a lit­ culture? tle like the open part of a pillowcase. I Therefore, perhaps the most important have seen 2 mm growth in one day! tip: keep your eyes, ears and mind When you repot, water the pot a few Open. Also the mouth to ask questions. hours before, hold the plant by the Do not believe everything (or stem in your left hand and hit the edge Anything) anybody says on good of the pot a sharp few blows with a authority. Think about it, try it out and piece of wood or a broom head. If the if it works for you, do it. Until new pot is heavy or the plant large, hold it in knowledge comes along. two hands, while your partner/assis­

18 DEFINITION OF TERMS AND GLOSSARY The following definitions are taken from the draft document on ‘Standards' and will whet your appetite for the final document. Editor.

Term Definition Acropetal Produced in succession from the base upwards, so that the oldest members are at the base, and the youngest at the top. Acute Having a sharp and rather abrupt point: said usually of a leaf tip. Basal Situated at the base Calyx The outer whorl of a flower made up of sepals which are usually green. Corolla A collective term for the petals of a flower, which are usually brightly coloured. Family The taxonomic division between an order and a genus. It contains similar genera. The names of botanical families usually end in -aceae. The genus Clivia is placed in the family Arnaryllldaceae. Genus A taxonomic rank containing related species. Similar genera are collected into a family. Hybrid A cross between two individuals of unlike genetic constitution. These can be of the same species, different species in the same genus, or different species in different genera. Inflorescence A flowering shoot bearing more than one flower. Involute Having inrolled margins. Lanceolate Flattened, two or three times as long as broad, widest at the middle and tapering to a pointed apex. Ligulate Strap-shaped, Margin The edge of a leaf or other flattened plant member. Median Middle. Oblanceolate Lanceolate, tapering, but towards the base. Obovate Having the general shape of the longitudinal section of an egg; not exceeding twice as long as broad, and with the greatest width slightly above the middle, hence attached at the narrow end. Perianth The floral envelope, it includes the calyx and corolla. Pedicel The stalk of an individual flower of an inflorescence. Peduncle A stalk of an inflorescence. Raceme A definite inflorescence, with the main axis bearing stalked flowers which are borne in acropetal succession. Retuse Having a bluntly rounded apex with a central notch. Revolute Rolled backwards and usually downwards. Species The smallest unit of classification commonly used. In sexually reproducing organisms it is a maximum interbreeding, or potentially interbreeding group, breeding true within its own lim­ its in nature. Tepal A perianth segment, not differentiated into a calyx (sepal) or corolla (petal). Tessellated Surface marked with squarish areas, blocky appearance Umbel A raceme in which the axis has not elongated, so that the flowers stalks arise at the same point. Thus the flowers are in a head, with the oldest at the outside Variegation Irregular variation in colour of a plant organ, e.g. leaves or flowers due to suppression of nor­ mal pigment development. This may be due to the action of a marginal genotype, somatic mutation, or infection

19 WATERBERG BOSLELIE INTEREST GROUP ly the contribution of the Headmaster and Manus Beytell for their support and help. As two years previously, two exhibitions The usual fees for the Hall were directed to were held this year. These were about clivias the Help Centre, one of our beneficiaries. and not about the owners of the plants! The Local newspaper coverage was disappoint­ earlier event was held in July as that is when ing. there were a large number of interspecifics flowering. The group is planning two exhibitions next year. The first will be at Potgietersrus the There were over 80 exhibits in the spacious second last weekend of August and the hall of the Susan Strydom School. These usual event in Nylstroom will be on the last included some variegated and broadleaf Saturday of August. In the interim the plants specimens without flowers. 88 visitors are being appropriately pampered. entered the hall and were asked to vote for 3 plants of their choice. There were many Johan and An Jacobs. commendable comments on the ballot voting papers. No judging was done on this occa­ sion. NORTHERN CLIVIA CLUB The group’s annual show event was held at The planning for the show started well in the same venue on the 28 August 2004. 142 advance as for the first time we held our exhibits were entered in 22 groups and were show at the Safari Garden Centre. We did benched on the Friday morning so that two not know what to expect and had to think judges of the NCC managed to finish judging about a lot of new things. by 15h00. Although the interest group was On the Thursday before the show some of us satisfied with the general quality of the started to mark out the seller's stalls. The plants the comments of the judges were excitement started to build up. I do not know rather negative. They said the “overall quali­ what scared me the most, the unknown or ty was not good" and "most entries are ordi­ the fact that things might go wrong. Friday nary”. These technical points used as judg­ morning at 8h00 our members started to ing criteria and the criticisms reduce the arrive with their plants. These included the enthusiasm, the spontaneous love and the show plants that had to be benched for judg­ admiration most growers have for their for ing and those they wished to sell. At 13h00 their "ordinary” clivias. that afternoon the judges took over with the 256 members of the public visited the show unenviable task of deciding which plants on the Saturday, paying R5.00 each which were the winners in their classes and which was given to charity as usual. There were plant was the ‘Best on Show’. very positive comments from the public While admiring all the beautiful plants in the although they expressed the wish to see Exhibition Area, I had one thought in my more yellows. These flowered a little late mind, that behind each of these plants was a this year. proud and devoted grower who must have Our group is very happy and appreciative of had sleepless nights wondering if his or her the hard work of the members and especial­

20 plant would flower in time and do them prizes were handed over by Chris Vlok, proud. Chairman of the Clivia Society. Two hundred and fifty six plants were A big thank you goes to all the committee entered. The quality of the plants on the members, club members and friends who show was excellent and there were many put in so much hard work and effort to make interesting flowers, both first time entries and ‘the event the success that it was. some of the old favourites. There were Christo Topham. many new colours on display and one could only wonder at them. Peaches, pastels, yel­ lows and oranges were all popular colours, KWAZULU NATAL CLIVIA CLUB which drew people to them like a moth to a light, and I cannot even begin to describe Our Clivia show and the stand at the Sunday some of them. A clivia flower certainly has Tribune Garden Show in Pietermaritzburg in the ability to fill many people with awe and September were both great successes. amazement. I saw many magnificent plants There were not as many entries at our show that I would dearly love to have in my collec­ as in previous years, but the quality was just tion at home. . as good, if not better. Again, many new plants appeared on show for the first time. Norman Weitz won the ‘Best on Show’ with The ‘Best on Show’ was a really super large his entry in ‘Group 2, Miniata Yellow/Cream, yellow named ‘Quinn's Star’ which came Section 2 medium petals’. ‘Runner Up’ was from seed purchased by Pat Quinn from Mr. Gert Esterhuizen who entered in ‘Group 1C, Nakamura. Competition was stiff and after Miniata Orange, Section 3 broad petal’. much pondering and discussion, as to which ‘Second Runner Up’ was Ammie Grobler one would walk away with top prize, to the who entered in ‘Group 5C, miniata delight of both Brenda and Etzel Nuss, apricot/salmon (RHS color 28C +28D) ‘Quinn’s Star’ was the ultimate winner. Etzel Section 3 broad petal’. walked around with a HUGE smile on his On Saturday, the day of the show, the exhi­ face for the duration of the show and a bot­ bition and sales areas were a hive of activi­ tle of champagne was cracked to celebrate. ty. There was an air of excitement around as Well, done - a really super plant well ‘turned buyers looked for bargains and the sellers .out’. ‘Runner-up’ went to Coenraad Vermaak vied for customers. New friendships were "with his really super orange Broad Leaf. made and old ones renewed. There was a Most Points on show also went to Coenraad constant stream of people through the - well done to both the winners and all others Information Area where volunteers were who won prizes. Our youngest exhibitor was available to answer any questions from the Tayla Chubb, who entered her plants in the public and give excellent advice. A special Novice section and won a first, well done memory will always be the sight of the Sales Tayla. Area packed with thousands of flowering The sales area did very well and many mem­ Clivias in the early morning light, before the bers of the public went off with lovely plants area was opened to the public. Sellers had and seeds to swell their collections, also two bumper days at the office and it is the hoping that one would be a winner sometime first time that I can recall that most of the in the future. sellers were sold out. The Sunday Tribune Garden Show was a In the evening we had a function where the learning curve for many of the people who

21 visited our stand. Some people were totally teething pains, but we would like to gradual­ unaware that there are 5 species of clivia ly enlarge it over the next few years. We and thought that the pendulous species were already extended the festival to a 3-day the “male" clivias and the miniata were the show (10-12 September), with Saturday 11 "female” of the species. The question, “If I September as the highlight. (Hopefully we plant my yellow clivia in amongst my can become known as the “Clivia town” like oranges will it revert to orange” was raised Bloemfontein is known as the “Rose City”... by numerous gardeners. They were imme­ One has dreams!) Marketing is done locally, diately informed that this was not the case provincially and nationally and we really try and if their plant had “disappeared” it could to include people from all walks of life. A possibly have been eaten by moles, did not large part of the local community as well as feel like flowering, rotted off or “walked off” the district is already involved. with a new owner! Another point of interest As in 2003, the festival had a flower arrange­ was - seeds were not covered over when ment section, clivia sales and a plant show. planted - but pushed slightly into the soil to This year the festival included the following: germinate - bearing in mind that “in nature” a florist workshop (day before the official the seeds would fall to the ground and hap­ show), clivia bouquets in the businesses in pily germinate in the fallen leaves and humus town, a miniature clivia garden, food stalls, around the parent plants. clivia products (T-shirts, towels, pillows Well, most of us are now busy pollinating the etc.) and entertainment. Children also had last of our blooms. It is time to re-pot, plant the opportunity to participate with a poster out last year's seedlings and prepare plants competition for high school children, Miss that will hopefully walk away with the main Clivia Petite (girls 4-8 years), children’s bou­ prize for the shows in 2005. quet competition and a colouring-in compe­ tition (4-8 year-olds) and a Kiddies garden. Thanks to all the helpers at both shows and As Soutpansberg Dutch Reformed church a special and sad “Goodbye” to ‘founder celebrated its jubilee, there were several members' of the KZN Club, Des and Elizabeth activities on the program for that specific Andersson, who have taken up residence in purpose, such as the unveiling of a memori­ Australia to be closer to family. Both will be al tablet, a gala concert evening, a special sorely missed, and we wish them both a sermon and Sunday tea amongst all the love­ happy time ‘Down under’. Happy clivia ly show plants. growing. If the comments in the visitors’ book can be Val Thurston. anything to go by the festival was a great success, with visitors from as far as SOUTPANSBERG CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP Gauteng. The positive opinions of the judges in the different categories gave valuable the Dutch Reformed Church, together with information to competitors. Mrs. Bezuiden- the Soutpansberg Clivia interest group hout from Pietersburg/Polokwane (she also decided in 2003 to hold an annual Clivia presented the workshop), judged the 2 cate­ Festival. In light of the successful first gories in the florist division for Beginners: Festival held in August 2003, this was seen ‘Feathered Clivias’ and Advanced: ‘Clivias, as an opportunity to market the town, the bells and pebbles’. The ‘Best on show’ bou­ area and its natural resources. quet was arranged by Mrs, Greta Fourie, Our festival, is small with all the associated In the plant show there were also 2 cate­

22 gories viz. gardeners and professionals in one way or another. A special thanks to (nurseries and club members) with 12 sub­ Shaun Chubb and his fellow members of the divisions. Mrs. Henriette Stroh from Pretoria KZN Club, who exhibited great clivias which had the difficult task of choosing the 3 best enhanced our show greatly. plants on the show. Third place went to Mr. The sales area was well supported where Mattewis Wessels (gardener), second was sellers chatted and advised folks freely. Mrs. Olive Brummer (club member and no.1 on the clivia route) and first place went to We would like to thank the new members, Herman and Amanda Van Rensburg public, sponsors and media of Newcastle (Sandfontein Clivia Kwekery and no.2 on the and surrounding areas who supported us clivia route). during the show and of course our wonder- Even though dog-tired at the end of the sec­ full committee members that made the show a dream come true. The possibilities and ond festival the organisers have already started planning for ‘Clivia Festival 2005’. It challenges for the club can really be a moti­ will be held over the last weekend of August vation to members. 2005. Similar activities are planned with a Last but not least, a big thank you to Shaun few pleasant surprises. We hope that every­ Chubb and Roy Thurston who undertook the one with a love for the beautiful forest lilies judging duties. will want to spend a relaxing weekend with us here in the Soutpansberg. We endeavour to create a greater awareness and interest of clivias. Anneke Stroebel 083 - 3266 073 Hot tie Human +27 15 - 5162559 FREE STATE CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP NORTHEN KWAZULU-NATAL INTEREST The Free State Clivia Interest Group held their GROUP exhibition at the Bloemfontein Primary School on the 7 September 2004. Our show which was held on the 11th September 2004 at the Newcastle There were 107 beautiful clivias on show at Technicon, was well attended, extraordi­ the school. The quality of the plants was nary and. something to remember. The outstanding and there were many young Technicon, which was perfectly situated to plants on display. The Interest in clivias was accomodate our visitors as well as all the demonstrated by visitors from as far a field beautifull clivias. as Welkom, Kimberley, Jan Kempdorp and Kroonstad. Visitors as well as members Our show results were as follows: enjoyed the day. There was much discus­ Best on show: Ndwedwe Globe - a stunning sion and laughter concerning clivias and orange owned by Shaun many ideas were exchanged. Several new members joined the group, the youngest Chubb originating from the being 11 years old. Thanks to all the mem­ wild. bers for their support. Runner up: A beautiful pastel owned by Ebb and Clive Graham. We hope that Clivia interest in the Free State will grow from strength to strength. More There were really stunning Clivias presented people are attending meetings and some are to show and all and sundry were impressed considering becoming members in the New

23 Year. (The workshops for new clivia enthusi­ at a gala evening on Saturday the 11 th of asts were attended by 10-15 people). September. We intend holding the show in the second A very big - THANK YOU - to all the weekend of September next year as we hope judges/visitors from the Northern Clivia Club more clivias will be in flower then. May and the members of the Lowveld Clivia many more members display their plants Interest Group that went out of their way in next year? the organisation of the show and the beauty Hennie van der Mescht pageant. The public in the Lowveld have rightly taken notice of our Interest Group and a Clivia show will become an annual item on LOWVELD CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP the calendar for the Lowveld. The Lowveld Clivia Interest Group was inau­ Daan Dekker. gurated in November 2003, less than a year Chairperson Lowveld Clivia Interest Group. ago, and our first show was held in September 2004. Due to an exceptionally cold winter in the Lowveld there were many CAPE CLIVIA CLUB fears that our plants would not be ready for The Cape Clivia Club held their show at the th the show which was planned for the 11 Bellville Civic Centre on 18 & 19 September th and 12 of September. Some of our mem­ 2004. ber’s plants flowered well before the show and other member’s plants only flowered This year has been a good flowering year for after the show. Such is the nature of plan­ Clivia, but as usual the unpredictable Cape ning a Clivia Show! weather limited some growers from exhibit­ ing. This however did not affect the Show Twenty members (out of a membership of and we had a superb display as usual. 42) entered 218 plants. Membership num­ bers rose to 52 during the show and approx­ Our members look forward to Show time imately 530 visitors attended to view the and this year was particularly busy as we plants displayed in the hall of Bergvlam had displays at two other Shows in Cape Hoerskool. Town, one prior to our Show and one a week after. According to several judges and other mem­ bers of the Northern Clivia Club, the quality The Show was well supported with an of plants shown was very high. The ‘Best on increase from 18 exhibitors in 2003 to 22 in Show' was a yellow exhibited by Geoff 2004. Entries increased from 206 last year Meyer. First and second runner up plants to 353 this year. There were 25 classes list­ belonged to Dr Paul Kloeck, one of the ed in our show schedule. All classes were founder members of the Interest Group. The well contested apart from Class 8 (Clivia high quality plants with peach flowers miniata dark yellow) which only attracted shown by Chris Welgemoed also deserve two entries, Class 15 (Clivia species other special mention. than C. miniata) 3 entries and Class 20 (C. miniata in flower broad leaf) 4 entries. We A Miss Clivia beauty pageant was also host­ were privileged to have Mrs. Blaser exhibit ed by the Interest Group to serve as a way of her Clivia miniata orange (Class 17 - Clivia introducing the Interest Group and Clivia’s to specimen plant - three or more flowering) - the general public. Miss Clivia was crowned quite an achievement at age 100 years!

24 Coen and Dine Calitz won the 'Best on ery, out of town, gave a very relaxed coun­ Show’ with their magnificent pastel. They try feel to the show. We were able to hold were also awarded the best 'Novice on the display of plants and the sales stalls Show’. The ‘Runner-up to Best on Show’ together, under one cover, in an area sepa­ was Mick Dower’s spectacular broad petal rate from the main nursery. yellow. An excellent display of Clivia of all colours The number of paying persons visiting the and shapes ensured that the public was sat­ Show was 1509 which was down on last isfied with the range of Clivia flowers and year's number probably due to the weather plants available. The Clivia colours in great­ on the Saturday which was cold and wet. est demand by the public were the pastels The sale of plants however increased by such as pinks, peaches and apricots and the approximately 30% which we attribute to the request for reds exceeded the supply. Yellow fact that there were a great deal more flow­ Clivia sold out and the average price for these ering plants for sale. Two raffles were held, was about R100.00. The Clivia sellers were one on each day, which was a great success pleased with their sales and by the Sunday in terms of generating interest and funds. A afternoon most of the stalls were virtually total of 27 new members joined at the Show. empty. Once again members of the Indigenous Bulb A word of thanks to Ernie Hobbs and his Growers Association (IBSA) displayed a very team for the judging of the plants exhibits. interesting selection of bulbs in flower which This took place after an enjoyable supper, provided an additional point of interest for under lights especially installed for the judg­ visitors. ing. Financially we were well within budget, The show champion this year was a according to Ian Brown our Treasurer, and a cream/yellow Clivia belonging to Dawie meeting has been planned to revise our Strydom. This plant was remarkable with a show schedule for next year to accommo­ big umbel and exceptionally large flowers. date the needs of all exhibitors. Dawie also won ‘Third Best on Show' with another cream/yellow plant with large flow­ JOHN WINTER ers. ‘Second Best on Show’ was awarded to 2004 Show Chairman a lovely pink Clivia belonging to Chris Viljoen. The public showed great interest in the ger­ METRO INTEREST GROUP mination and cultivation of Clivia. The infor­ The Metro Show was held on the 18™ and mation table provided assistance and litera­ 19th September 2004 at the Garden World ture for both the beginner and the specialist. Nursery, Honeydew, on the outskirts of A special word of thanks to those helpers Johannesburg. who manned the information table. The change of venue as well as the better With the enthusiasm shown by visitors and publicity contributed to the best turnout we the number of enquiries received, the have had in our four years of show presenta­ increased availability of the less common tions. The beautiful tropical plants, at the plants, the future of the Clivia in the entrance into the nursery, surrounding the Johannesburg area is assured. old homestead and the position of the nurs­ Glynn Middlewick.

25 EASTERN PROVINCE CLIVIA CLUB Comments from Chari Malan on his plant which was awarded ‘Best on Show’ - Port The Eastern Province Clivia Club’s show Elizabeth 2004 report appeared in the previous newsletter. This magnificent large broad-tepal peach Comments from Lester de Beer on his plant was a cross I made between a Nakamura that was awarded ‘Best Beginner on Show’ ‘Vico Yellow’ hybrid and a ‘Chubb’s Peach’. as well as 'Runner-up to Best on Show’ in The plant took four years to flower and this Port Elizabeth 2004 was its second flower. Siblings of this cross I received the plant some nine years ago as have done well in the peach category at all a sucker from an elderly lady who stayed in shows where they have been exhibited. I the holiday resort of Keurbooms in the use Osmocote “High K" in a mix that con­ Southern Cape. She brought the mother sists of 60% coarse bark, 30% coarse river plant with her when she moved from sand and 10% Loam. Bloemfontein during 1992. Charl Malan. When the sucker flowered for the first time in 1997 we realized that the flower colour was GARDEN ROUTE CLIVIA INTEREST GROUP different to the ordinary orange and indeed a lovely pastel. It was only after I joined the The Garden Route Clivia Interest Group's E.P Clivia Club seven months ago and really show report appeared in the last newsletter. became interested in growing Clivia as a Comments from Charl Malan on his plant hobby that I started with regular watering which was awarded ‘Runner-up to best on and feeding with Hyperfeed and Seagro, and Show’ - George 2004 of course special TLC to make up for all the years that it had been neglected. What a This lovely large broad tepal ‘Vico Yellow’ was grown from seed obtained from lovely surprise it was when it was awarded Yoshikazu Nakamura in 1995. It won ‘Best ‘Best Beginner on Show’ as well as the on Show’ in Cape Town in 2002. The plant ‘Runner-up to Best on Show’. took four years to flower. I use Osmocote Lester & Rienie “High K” in a mixture of 60% coarse bark, 30% coarse river sand and 10% Loam. Comments from Margie Young on her plant which was awarded ‘Runner-up to the Best Charl Malan. Beginner on Show’ in Port Elizabeth in 2004 CLIVIA SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA My Peach Clivia was grown from seed that I The newly formed Clivia Society of Australia was given by Alick Mcleman now living in held its first Australian show during New Zealand and previously a member of the Toowoomba’s annual Carnival of Flowers KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club. which runs for a week in September each The plant is four years old and the seed was year. from a ‘Chubb’s Peach'! My methods of cul­ The six-day show was held in an area behind tivation aren’t different but I did keep it in a a popular Toowoomba garden nursery, dark room for a week before the show. Walsh’s Seeds and Garden Centre. In the Margie Young. same area was a giant Bonsai show. Both shows were free to the public.

26 The organising committee was amazed at plant raffle was conducted with three clivia the steady stream of visitors to the show, prizes donated by members. To sell over especially considering there was another pri­ $1000 worth of tickets, combined with plant vate display in a shopping centre and sever­ sales of over $6000 was a truly amazing feat al displays in some of the champion for the group. Besides the terrific clivia dis­ Toowoomba gardens. play, there was an area for plant sales, most­ ly flowering plants. Visitors were treated to a superb collection of clivias from Toowoomba and surrounding The cost to the society for holding the show area growers. Highlights were a hanging at the venue was 10% of plant sales. (The basket stand made by a member, complete plant nursery did very well thank you!) 10% with a variety of clivia baskets, a brilliant of sales went to the society. With the pro­ tulip type yellow exhibited by Coral and Kev ceeds of the raffle, plant sales and dona­ Larsen, a beautiful peach coloured clivia tions, the Toowoomba group can confident­ owned by Ian Anderson, a nice orange multi­ ly go into next year’s show knowing that they petal owned by Brian Steven and a lovely var­ have a working fund. The group will now iegated clivia from Kevin Walters. Clivias in concentrate on updating props, signage and hanging baskets are becoming very popular advertising for next year’s show (the venue in Toowoomba, especially the midget types. has been re-booked). Although small private displays have been From the response from the public and held in Toowoomba previously, this is the prospects of more new members, all augurs first time a group has banded together to well for the future of the Toowoomba group organise a show. The idea was first mooted of the Clivia Society of Australia and next only last July when a meeting was called of year's show. The group can only improve on interested clivia enthusiasts in the area. The its first attempt, and already new ideas have meeting was attended by 10 keen growers, come forward. Anyone who wishes to most only novices to the clivia world. From attend the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers this meeting an organising committee was and see some of the best spring gardens and formed consisting of chairperson/publicity clivias in Australia should note that the date Brian Steven, secretary/publicity Bruce is always the last full week in September. Newton and treasurer Coral Larsen, and NO For any information required please contact: MONEY!! With only one further meeting before the show (but many phone calls!) the Brian Steven 07 46358848, show was organised. email [email protected] A big thank-you to the Clivia Society of Bruce Newton 07 46372096, Australia for making available a brand new email [email protected] or coloured society banner, Coral and Kev Larsen from Larsen’s Warm Climate Bulbs, Coral and Kev Larsen phone 07 5426 7127, who supplied most of the props for the email [email protected] show, Kevin Walters for his collection of Brian Steven photographs from around the world that adorned the walls, Huxley Althaus who sup­ plied the hanging stand and of course the NEW ZEALAND CLIVIA CLUB keen members who manned the show, sold Auckland Show (Oct 9/10) raffle tickets and answered the many ques­ tions on clivia culture from the public, A The 2004 Auckland Clivia Show was again

27 held at the Auckland Regional Botanical There were ‘ooohs and aaaahs' when they Gardens. Bad weather held off and the were given the seed descriptions later in the crowds poured in Saturday morning. It was evening. Grateful thanks to John for his gen­ like shopping at the local mall at the post- erosity. David Brundell gave an educational Christmas Sales! It was so exciting meeting and interesting power-point talk on his recent and putting a face to many of the new mem­ trip to Japan and China. A fun time was had bers. by all! The show was a resounding success and the The first Regional Show was trialed last year display plants were stunning. It was encour­ in Whangarei. The Club wanted to “take aging to see a large number of hobbyists dis­ Clivia to the Kiwis” and not expect them to playing their plants for the first time. As we come to us. The main purpose of these don’t yet have competitions, the Club ran a shows is to inspire, inform and perhaps ‘Peoples Favourite Clivia' competition. coerce the public to indulge in Clivia (hope­ Visitors to the exhibition are asked ‘If you fully to the point of addiction). This year we could take one clivia home with you, which added Tauranga (Bay of Plenty) and New one would it be?” The winner was Alick Plymouth (Taranaki) to the regionals. McLeman’s plant - a Christo Lotter F2. Tauranga (Oct 16) - Ian and Barbara Duncalf Runner-up was David Brundell’s clivia hosted the Clivia Show at their nursery, ‘Honey Moon’. Parva Plants in Te Puna. The exhibition was Workshops were again held over the week­ held in the sorting shed and exhibition plants end. Topics included: Clivia in South Africa were exceptional. Keith Hammett was sell­ and the species, Basics of Clivia growing, ing plants and of course had his usual high Hybridising and Nomenclature. Terry Hatch standard of blooms on display. It was a fun also conducted a ‘Ramble through the day with many of the local members assist­ Exhibits’ where Terry explained the clivia in ing. The highlight for me personally, was the detail. This was extremely popular with the new (crytanthiflora x miniata) that Ian had public. Visitors were able to purchase an named ‘Diane’ in honour of a significant array of clivia plants and seeds to take home birthday I’m having this year. It was an hon­ with them from the various growers. our and privilege to see such a beautiful plant Favourites on display this year were the apri­ with my name on it. cots, the creams and the interspecifics. We Whangarei (Oct 16/17) - Again this year the certainly have a broad spectrum of clivia show was hosted at beautiful sprawling shape, colour and size! Nymet Gardens (Colin and Jean Sanders). On Saturday afternoon we held the AGM. Alick McLeman, Sharron Booth and David Keith Hammett was again elected Chairman Brundell were displaying and selling at the unopposed and we expect he will carry out Show. Holding the show in such beautiful his functions as the superb Chairman he has surroundings is a bonus as the public is able been for the past year. Treasurer is Alick to see the clivia growing outside as they McLeman and Di Smith is Secretary. walked around the gardens. Following the AGM we held the annual din­ New Plymouth (Oct 23/24) - Tony Barnes ner. This was a fantastically fun affair. We and John Sole hosted the Clivia Show for 2 began the evening with a lucky dip of seeds days over the weekend. Ngamamaku donated by the lovely John van der Linde. Gardens is set 15kms out of New Plymouth With only numbers on the packets, guests in a small village called Oakura. The gardens did not know what they were receiving.

28 sprawl over many acres and border the Mt International Huntington Clivia Symposium & Egmont National Park. They are situated Show, March 26th & 27th 2005, at the only 15 minutes from the wettest place in NZ Huntington Libraries, Art Galleries and - hence the prolific growth there. Clivias Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San grow under and over many of the banks Marino, California 91108, USA. beside the stream. Tony has 3 levels of shadehouse full of stunning Clivia plants and The Symposium Registration Form is on the seedlings. They overflow outside and many Web at: http://www.northamericancliviaso- ciety.org/ and select the link to “The are potted and growing happily under the Registration Form is now available.” native trees and shrubs waiting to be sold. Keith and Alick were selling along with Tony. Dr. James E. Shields, The display was again magnificent. Keith and Alick had many display plants that were President, North American Clivia Society, just coming into bloom. 'inc. PO. Box 92, Westfield, IN 46074, USA In conclusion, we were encouraged by the Tel. ++ 1-317-896-3925 intense interest building up amongst Kiwis E-mail:

29 my Hit; course with us. Whether an effort of Sincerely. their whole club or not, the help Di Smith has given ACS speaks highly of the quality and Janies B. Black: President: American Clivia Society character of their organization. http://www.AmericanCliviaSociety.org "ACS Taking The High Ground, Making One Friend At A Time"

Advertisements. Tariffs for advertising in point out that it is difficult to quote a fixed price the Clivia Society Newsletter: without knowing the method of payment and Smalls (1 to 6 lines): R25.00 delivery. We suggest you contact Bossie de Smalls (7 to 10 lines): R30.00 Kock (the treasurer) via e-mail at: [email protected] or by fax at Quarter page: R70.00 +27 12 804 8892 and list the items you are Half page: R125.00 interested in as well as the name of the coun­ Full Page: R250.00 try in which you reside. Bossie would then A5 separate page insert: R600.00 be in a position to suggest the most eco­ A4 separate page insert: R800.00 nomical option. Australian, UK, New Zealand (You will be sent an account from the treas­ and USA members are reminded that they urer for the appropriate amount.) can order via Ken Smith, Dr Hamish Sloan, Di Smith and Michael Morri respectively — From the Clivia Society: see covers for contact detail. Also note that Overseas members can order back volume further discounts can be negotiated with copies of the yearbooks and newsletters (since Bossie for orders exceeding 10 of a specific 1992) via the society. South African members item. The following items are available: should approach their local branches. We must

Item Approximate price (US $)* Yearbook 6 15 Yearbook 5 15 Yearbook 4 10 Yearbook 3 10 Yearbook 2 10 Yearbook 1 10 Volumes 1(1992) to 11 (2002) of newsletters 10 per volume Set of volumes 1 to 10 available on request Hints on growing Clivia - hard copy 3 Hints on growing Clivia - electronic PDF format 2 International membership list - hard copy 2 International membership list - electronic format No charge ‘ Including postage and banking charges it paid by credit card Contact Bossie de Kock for quotation re payments made by cheque

30 Private advertisements: a/h or cell 082 7845401. Clivia species, interspecifics and specialities. Clivia miniata: Creams, yellows, peaches, apri­ Participate in our coordinated imports and cots, reds, pastels and polychromes. Seed, exports of seeds and plants - Asia, ANZ, N. Am. seedlings, mature plants and offsets of stock & Eu. Connie Abel, Pretoria, +27-12-3616406 or plants bred and selected over 25 years. Contact [email protected] Bing Wiese, Pretoria tel/fax (012) 460 6382 to Yellow Nogqaza strains from R15 to R120. view. Orange from R1 to R6 for mature plants. Delivery Thurlow Flora: We have on offer a large variety anywhere. SOUTH AFRICAN CLIVIA PLANTATION, of carefully bred seedlings and mature plants for Box 855, Hilton 3245. Call 082- 955 5433. sale, We specialize in pastel colours, oddities, Clivia miniata.Seed R100 per kilogram. Year old species and original wild collected and named plants R2 each. Roly Strachan, Box 57, Highflats clones of clivia. Mail order and visitors welcome. 3306 or Tel. (039) 835 0085 evenings only. For our latest plant list please contact Sean and Terri Chubb. Tel: 031 7811978 e-mail: Swamp gardenii and miniata seed and [email protected] We also have available a few seedlings available from various Natal and hundred different named daylily clones. Transkei locations. Phone Andrew (039) 3135024

Many of us are using wire to stake Clivia drill (the same way you would do with a drill peduncles bearing a large amount of fruit, bit) Tie the other end to a solid structure large flower heads when exhibiting at shows such as a washing line pole, step back with or even when transporting Clivia plants to the drill in hand until most of the wire slack and from shows. Wire is normally stored in has been taken up and start spinning the drill a roll form by suppliers making it difficult to at a slow speed. When the wire is complete­ straighten it properly and neatly. It can, how­ ly straightened release the drill chuck slowly ever, be done easily by using the following (be very careful of the wire back-spin). Cut method: the wire to desired lengths. To safeguard against injuries to face when handling plants Cut off a length of 4 - 5 metre, depending on with stakes, always bend the top end of the the space you have to work in, fold back the stake in a loop. one end of the wire ±3 cm and lock it thor­ oughly in the chuck of a speed controlled Willie Le Roux - E.PC.C.

31 Cliviamania is a serious disease effecting pollen has been accrued by unscrupulous clivia enthusiasts. Those effected tend to means. spend most of their day absorbed with clivia People who have caught the disease tend to activities to the point of addiction - collecting gather in groups with other similar affected berries, planting seeds, potting on, fertilizing individuals to discuss their malady. The plants, primping and preening them for most virulent form seems to be associated shows, dividing them up and heaven knows with rare colours or unusual shapes of what else 1 All they can think and speak about clivias. Yellow, peaches and pastels send is clivia. Many hours are spent just looking the victims into a frenzy. Some suggest it is at the plants, whether in bloom or not. Some underpinned by economics with the rarer victims are even affected when looking at colours being associated with high prices. broad leaves, but most are stricken when clivia in flower. I appeal to all reading this column. How can we get rid of this disease? It appears to strike mostly elderly people over the age of 50 although there are rare cases Lily Borer (Brithys pancratii). of youngsters succumbing to the disease. Males appear to be affected more than females. It is highly infectious. It is not known whether it is caused by a virus or by a bacterium and it is not known how it is transmitted. It could be through direct con­ tact, but it appears that most victims have been infected when looking at flowering blooms. The more unusual the colour, the more serious the problem. One therefore suspects that it could be something to do with pollen. Serious cases have been observed when pollen is transmitted by hand from one flower to another instead of leaving it to nature. In severe cases the

32 CONTACT DETAILS FOR CLIVIA CLUBS AND INTEREST GROUPS

Cape Clivia Club: Joy Woodward (Secretary). PO Box 53219, Kenilworth, 7745. Tel (h) +27 21 671 7384, Tel (w) +27 21 799 8768, Fax +27 21 797 0002. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Eastern Province Willie le Roux (Chairperson) PO Box 19292, Linton Grange. Port Clivia Club: Elizabeth, 6015. Tel & Fax: +27 41-360 3480. E-mail: [email protected] KwaZulu-Natal Clivia Club: Sean Chubb (Chairperson). Thurlow Farm, PO Box 126, Eston, 3740. Tel & Fax: +27 31 781 1978. E-mail: [email protected] Northern Clivia Club: Lena van der Merwe (Secretary). PO Box 74868, Lynnwood Ridge. 0040. Tel & Fax: +27 12 804 8892. E-mail: [email protected] Border Interest Group: Stella van Gass (Chairperson). 16 Greenan Street, Berea, East London, 5241. Tel +27 43 721 2964 Free State Clivia: Hennie van der Mescht, 18 Mettam Street, Fichardt Park, Bloemfontein, 9322. Tel. +27 51 522 9530. Fax; +27 51 436 4340. E-mail: [email protected] Garden Route Gerrie Brits (Chairperson). Tel: +27 44 8028420. Clivia Interest Group: Fax: +27 44 8707550. Cell: 082 7385 842. E-mail [email protected] Metro Group: Glynn Middlewick (Chairperson). 2 Willow Road, Northcliff, 2195. Tel +27 11 476 1463. E-mail: [email protected] Northern KZN: Dries Olivier. PO Box 8783, Newcastle, 2940. Tel +27 83 264 6230. Fax: +27 34 318 6667. E-mail: [email protected] Waterberg Boslelieklub: An Jacobs. PO Box 3893, Nylstroom, 0510. Tel & Fax: +27 14 717 2674. E-mail: [email protected] Zoutpansberg: Anneke Stroebel (Secretary). PO Box 1712, Louis Trichardt. 0920. Tel +27 83 326 6073. Fax +27 15 516 5710. E-mail: [email protected] Lowveld interest group: Ian Radmore (Secretary). PO Box 1146, White River, 1240 Tel: +27 13 751 2051. E-mail: ian@nelvet1 .agric.za

EDITOR OF NEWSLETTER Meg Hart. 70 The Valley Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193. Tel & Fax +27 11 646 9392, E-mail: [email protected]

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Cobus Roos. Tel 082 416 6178, E-mail: [email protected]