Back in September we went to Roger's garden open day. Roger and I had a plant swap where I handed over a clump of what I consider an invasive weed - Cymbalaria muralis (ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth ivy).
This was at Roger's request and not an underhand act of sabotage.
I came home with a clivia. I'd commented on Roger's blog that my clivia hadn't flowered for ages and he told me to move it into a well lit position. The problem was that I liked my plant where it is and in the darker spot it developed beautiful, glossy, dark green leaves. I said that I would put up with the lack of flowers and Roger kindly said that he would give me a small plant that I could then grow properly!
The plant began to rise up out of the pot. I knew clivias have thick fleshy roots and so guessed that the roots were pushing the plant up and so I decided to repot the plant into a deeper pot.
They had formed a ring of stilts that supported the plant above the bottom of the pot.
Taller plant pot found and the plant now looks like this.
I'm now wondering whether the roots need more space to spread outwards a bit, hopefully Roger will put me right about that.
One thing that I did notice though. If you look in the very centre of the cluster of leaves on the right can you see it?
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I've had seedlings of things like corn do that when started indoor. But I've never seen a potted plant like that unpot itself like that.
ReplyDeleteIt was a first for us too Daphne- we've had plants break pots before but not climb out.
DeleteThere are not many plants that come with their own built in plant me up now warning system ;)
ReplyDeleteGlad to see this one's blooming for you Sue. Roger to the rescue!
He'll start wearing underpants outside of his trousers next, Angie
DeleteOh well, Roger evidently sprinkled the plant with Magic Dust before handing it over! I wonder if it will rise up out of the taller pot too?
ReplyDeleteHe was maybe playing a Magic Flute, Mark
DeleteGosh, those roots are really impressive!
ReplyDeleteThey do have strong roots sweffling but usually curl round.
DeleteI had a clivia years ago, it was lovely. Yours looks like it might climb out and walk away! Nice to see buds already though, Roger clearly has the magic touch.
ReplyDeleteIf I find it at the bottom of the stairs one morning I'll be very afraid. CJ
DeleteWow those are some roots Sue, it's going to end up like a triffid and start taking over lol.
ReplyDeleteIs that a flower popping through Sue?
It is a bud Linda and growing by the day.
DeleteYou reminds me to move my Amarilys from my front yard into pot, cause they look so poor grown on the ground. I think much better if they growon pots.
ReplyDeleteIt belongs ti the same family, Endah but does';t grow from a bulb,
DeleteBrilliant - it's obviously enjoying its pampering! Can't wait to see the flower.
ReplyDeleteNot long to wait as a bud is opening frg, I'm hoping that it will be my Wordless Wednesdaty subject :)
DeleteMaybe not this Wednesday as it has slowed down a little.
DeleteHi Sue....glad to see your new plant is starting to flower...could I see two?? Had read back further through your posts too. I love the borage photos, I should maybe get some for the bees. I was feeling quite proud of my accomplishments on the allotment until I saw how great yours is looking. Oh well...I still have time to get things done!!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers come in a cluster, Tanya so what you can spot is one cluster, Remember we didn't have an overgrown plot to sort, we don't have to go to work, there are two of us and we can choose our days we don,t have to rely on the weather playing ball at the weekend. and there are still parts to sort out.
DeleteWell all that makes me feel better anyway so thanks!!
DeleteGosh, those roots are astonishing, I have never seen roots raising a plant up like that! I have toadsflax too, it's pretty but does run everywhere.xxx
ReplyDeleteThat was the problem, Dina - I bought what I thought was a pretty little alpine and it turned into a pretty monster,
DeleteWoo hoo! Worth pampering the plant to see the flowers! Though I do understand you growing it for the leaves alone.
ReplyDeleteThe dark leaves are rather beautiful aren't they, Janet?
DeleteWhat a lovely surprise to find my plant on your blog! See what happens when it starts to get decent care.
ReplyDeleteFrankly it was really cramped in the small pot I gave Sue and I think she would have been wise to pot it in a rather bigger one.
It was jumping because it was so excited at getting some proper management and TLC.
Wow proper compost rather than my sandy soil!
I suggest in Spring you move it to an even bigger pot!
I potted it up straight away, Roger and although it may not look it the pot was quite a bit bigger than the original one. I didn't want to deter it from flowering by pitting it in too big a pot but didn't expect a root explosion. I will pot it up again in spring though.
DeleteThat's astonishing, I've never seen roots like those before.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen ones that created stilts before, Jo
DeleteYour clivia has buds, congrats Sue. It liked the place and the pot you planted it and decided to bloom. Mine is small and isn't in bloom. I imagine how nice will be the flowers!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that the orchids that I have moved to the same place will like it enough to flower too. Good luck with yours.
DeleteThey have formed a strong root! Hope to see the flowers soon!
ReplyDeleteThe first bud in the cluster has opened Malar
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