Clivia; should I cut old flower spikes?

[naturalistSean]

Thank you estacion seca and Diane! I think you're right and the plant is going to pull through.

A day later and it looks better than I was expecting so I'll just have to wait and see. I expect some of those leaves will be lost in the days to come. Here it is in the new winter quarters in the cellar were the temperature next to a cracked window still got down to 8 degrees last night which seems about right.

It was pretty bad yesterday. I had the pot sitting on an old microwave tray and they were frozen together, the leaves felt frozen and brittle, and the nearby rainwater barrel had ice on top.

I'll update later in winter and spring for anyone interested

[Diane56Victor]

Absolutely!

[CliviaAndCompany]

I posted about this in my thread, but there was a guy who contacted me to ask what I thought of his attempt to grow them outside in zone four. I didn't think it would survive, but in the spring he got a peduncle. The plant had no leaves left, but it still flowered... I don't see how it could recover enough between winters to keep that up for very long, but it's his gamble. So your plant will probably shrug it off and keep motoring along. They really are quite remarkable.

[naturalistSean]

Outside in zone 4 is remarkable. I believe this plant will survive but of course I also want some blooms! We are right in the alps and have had snow on the ground for over a month now. Last night it was -9C outside which is about what we've been having for a few weeks. The temperature in the cellar has fluctuated but the clivia is next to a cracked open window and probably gets cold blasts. It has been kept very dry but I was alarmed by how light the pot was and the plant looked less perky so gave it a very small amount of water. I'm considering bringing into the warmth and resuming water in mid-January. I'd like us to have flowers while it is still cold and snowy outside to brighten up those late winter days.

[CliviaAndCompany]

They are exceedingly good at that! And some light watering shouldn't be a problem, worst that could happen is it uses that as a cue to spike. Which isn't a bad thing. I look forward to seeing what color it is!

[nemesis]

I have never seen this plant before, but it is a beauty. Even if it never flowers again, I would keep it as a wonderful houseplant....of course that is not your goal, but I just want to encourage you to keep it going!

[naturalistSean]

I decided to bring the clivia up from the cellar and water it on 7 January. At the same time I cut off one of the 3 old flower spikes. This morning I notice that it is getting ready to flower! Interesting that it is doing this close to the old spike I cut off and at the terminal leaves.
It only took 4 days after resuming water and in a 20 degree room for it to start the flowering process.

[DeaC]

[My Green Pets]

Congratulations! Looks like you've got a big crop of seeds coming along too!

[naturalistSean]

It looks like the plant will only produce a single spike and that single developing spike is close to where I cut off an old one. Given the plant had produced at least 3 different spikes when it bloomed last I sort of wish I had cut off all the old flower spikes. I would prefer flowers to seeds. Ah, live and learn! I wonder if it is too late to cut off the old ones to hopefully spur the development of new spikes.