CLIVIA 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 Africa 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 plants 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 South Africa) 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 genus 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 Clivias 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 plant 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-flowering plant, 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 bushveld 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 Amaryllis 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 Brithys crini 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]