Clivia miniata care and bloom tips?

[catherinecarney]

Hi all--

I've had a Clivia miniata for a decade or so. I've grown it under my system of "benign neglect" and haven't killed it--in fact it's continued to grow leaves, set pups, and so on.

However, the darn thing has never bloomed....

So, finally got onto cliviausa and a couple of other clivia sites to research the winter rest requirements....Cool ( some recommend under 40 F) and dry (water if it wilts)for 10-14 weeks in early winter, and the roots are described as "fleshy ropes" by one of the sites and the recommendation is to grow them is a fast draining mix, including such things as CHC, medium bark, perlite, and so on. Hmmm, I think, this is starting to sound very, very familiar.....Sort of a combo of some deciduous dens (the winter rest), and cymbidium (the potting mix).

I repotted today into a cymbidium type mix, removing lots of dead roots (they look very much like orchid roots, BTW), gave it a drink (mix was pretty dry) and set it back into the filtered light it seems to like.

So, thought I'd put this out for the resident brain trust--am I on the right track with this thing? Any hopes I can get it to bloom next winter? Anything I'm missing?

Thanks in advance!

Catherine