Explore the exciting world of interspecific clivia breeding—learn how unique species crosses are producing vibrant colours and stronger, longer-flowering plants.
Interspecific Clivia Breeding
By Carrie Kruger – Utopia Clivias
At Utopia Clivias, we believe that interspecific breeding is the future of clivia development. Often called the “new age” of clivia breeding, this method involves crossing different Clivia species to unlock unique flower colours, improved plant strength, and longer blooming periods.
🌿 Why We Breed Interspecific Clivias
Most of the new and unusual colours in Clivias—from soft peach and blush pinks to deep bronzes and versi tones—originate through interspecific breeding. We’ve found that the broadest colour spectrum exists in these hybrids, including:
Orange to pastel peach and yellow
Blush pink, deep red, and bronze
Multi-colour and versi colour combinations
Rare green-petal forms like Star Green
At Utopia Clivias, we truly believe the future of clivia breeding lies within these genetics.
🌱 A Brief History of Interspecific Breeding
The term “interspecific” simply refers to breeding between different species. One of the earliest known interspecific crosses was between Clivia miniata and Clivia nobilis, producing a group called Cyrtanthiflora.
Since then, breeders have explored combinations between miniata and every other Clivia species—with fascinating results. For example:
Using miniata as the pod parent in F1 crosses typically yields larger, more open flowers
These F1 hybrids are often just the beginning—F2 and F3 generations become more colourful, open, and genetically diverse
💡 Tip for Beginners:
If you're just starting out, begin with a strong F1 hybrid. It's a stepping stone to even better F2 and F3 plants.
🔁 F1 vs F2: What’s the Difference?
F1 (First Generation): Good size, some colour diversity, early results
F2 (Second Generation):
Larger, more open flowers
Greater range of colours
Varied flowering times due to increased genetic variation
🌸 Our Breeding Lines at Utopia Clivias
💖 The “Secret” Series
Bred from Stella Parish Miniata × 5 Star (Gardenii × Group 1 Yellow), this line produces stunning pink F2 interspecifics with large, recurved blooms.
First F3 flowers bloomed in 2016
F3s show softer shades and even larger flowers
All plants are registered on the International Clivia Register
💭 The “Dream” Series
This range began with a rare selfing of a Nakamura-bred interspecific, yielding only 8–10 seeds—but what grew was extraordinary.
Flowers are large with picotee edging
Leaves are semi to broad, up to 90 mm
We’re now line breeding and using these plants in experimental crosses, including with the Secret Series
🌸 One of the first “Secret × Dream” crosses flowered last year: a delicate pastel with darker outer petals and inner blush.
🎨 The New Versi Colour Range
We’re actively developing a fresh line of versi colour hybrids, ranging from soft pinks to dark red and brick brown tones.
Versi genes are dominant, often carrying over even when only used as the pollen parent
Several striking versi colour flowers have flowered in recent seasons
🌟 “Star Green” Breeding
The extraordinary Star Green features dark brick red outer petals and green inner petals, which age into a dusty pink. It’s a true breeding treasure:
Not very fertile; needs to be pollinated early as the flower opens
Pollen is viable for just 1–2 days, so timing is critical
Rarely self-pollinates, but we’ve had limited seed success
We’ve used Star Green in multiple crosses—results are still emerging, but extremely promising
🪴 Cultivation & Care
Interspecific clivias require the same care as miniata, with just a few guidelines:
Water once a week in hot months if it doesn’t rain
In winter, water sparingly
Soil mix: Fine & coarse bark, filter sand, polystyrene, and slow-release fertilizer like Flexi Coat
Feeding:
Mature plants: Hyper Feed every 3–6 months
Young plants: Kick Start every 8 weeks
Pest & Disease Management:
Use a systemic insecticide & fungicide every 6 months
🌼 Conclusion
Interspecific clivias offer longer flowering periods (typically June to September), fast growth, disease resistance, and unmatched diversity in flower form and colour.
They’re not just for show—they’re the future of Clivia breeding.
We hope this inspires you to add a few of these incredible plants to your own collection and enjoy the ongoing journey of colour, form, and possibility.
🌿 Explore our interspecific collections at Utopia Clivias.
Visit us at 20 Crane Walk, Sedgefield or online at www.utopiaclivias.co.za
