The Secret Series: A Journey into Pink Interspecifics
By Carrie Krüger – Utopia Clivias
Pink Clivias remain among the rarest and most coveted of the colour spectrum. With the increasing diversity made possible through interspecific breeding, we’re now seeing more examples of delicate pink hues emerging in this category—an exciting development for breeders and collectors alike.
My own journey into pink interspecifics began in 2007, when a dear friend gifted me ten two-year-old seedlings. These all came from the same cross: (Coromandel Orange × Group 1 Yellow) × 5 Star (Gardenii × Group 1 Yellow). These F1 plants were all genetically split for Group 1 Yellow, and many exhibited green stems when crossed among siblings—a promising sign for interesting flower variations.
The first plant bloomed in 2009 and revealed something extraordinary: large, creamy pastel flowers that gently developed a soft pink blush as they matured. Set on a small to medium plant with a semi-open flower form, it was both charming and unique. I exhibited it at the Eastern Province Interspecific Show, where it was awarded Best on Show. It drew widespread admiration, and I named it "Secret Desire", a fitting tribute to the interest it sparked.
In 2011, two more plants bloomed. One was a striking salmon-pink specimen on a sturdy, medium-sized plant—awarded Best on Show at the Eastern Province Clivia Show in July. I called it "Secret Wish." The next, which opened in August during the Garden Route Clivia Show, was voted Second Best on Show, despite not all the flowers having opened yet. This beautiful, pink-flowered plant was named "Secret Hope."
Over time, the remaining seedlings also bloomed—most displaying soft, pastel pinks. Two emerged as yellow interspecifics. While not all flower during peak show season, each plant has been carefully named and recorded for breeding purposes. In 2015, the first sibling cross flowered—a lovely, large, semi-pendulous pink bloom, which I named "Secret Child." Though it had a low flower count (being only three years old), it showed exceptional promise.
Other members of the Secret Series include:
"Secret Love" – A compact, semi-broad-leaf plant with delicate salmon pink blooms.
"Secret Rose" – A lovely round cream flower that matures into a soft apricot pastel.
"Secret Dream" – Near versi colouring with cream inner petals and pink outer petals, deepening to pink over time.
"Secret Strawberry Parfait" – The pinkest of the group and the only one that offsets well.
"Secret Baby Doll" – A more pendulous flower in dreamy blends of cream, pink, and pastel.
What truly distinguishes this series is the size and form of the plants themselves. Unlike many interspecifics, these are compact with shorter, neat leaves, giving a tidy appearance ideal for collectors. The umbels seem to improve year after year, and importantly, they carry viable pollen and set seed successfully—making them exciting tools for future breeding.
The Secret Series remains one of the most meaningful and rewarding gifts I've ever received, and I eagerly await the results of the many sibling and cross-pollinations I’ve undertaken—particularly with pink Miniatas and other interspecific types.
In the realm of Clivia breeding, these soft pastels carry not just beauty, but promise.
