Tol’s Bronze – A Legacy in Modern Clivia Breeding

Tol’s Bronze – A Historic Clivia Line and Foundation for Modern Breeding

Tol’s Bronze is a pivotal Clivia cultivar with a rich history and remarkable influence on modern Clivia breeding. Originating from an unmarked seed gifted in 1997 to the late Johan (Tol) Mostert by Mr. Nakamura, this line shares its heritage with the renowned Star Green and its siblings, making it a cornerstone in contemporary breeding programs.

Origins and Historical Significance

Tol’s Bronze’s seed batch is believed to be the same as that which produced Star Green, positioning it as a key foundation plant in the evolution of many modern Clivias. Over the years, it has produced numerous exceptional bronze-coloured Clivias, demonstrating both consistency and versatility as a breeding parent.

Notably, Tol’s Bronze served as the pollen parent of the celebrated Emerald Eye, solidifying its influence in advanced hybridisation.

Lineage and Breeding Insights

We suspect that Tol’s Bronze may be closely related to Star Green, potentially originating from the same batch of seeds Mr. Nakamura gifted to Charl Malan after his visit to Japan in 1996.

Its breeding continues to surprise and inspire, producing:

  • Bronze-versi forms

  • Green-throat versi, including the notable Lucky Strike

Ongoing breeding results will further clarify this lineage, but early outcomes already demonstrate the remarkable genetic potential of Tol’s Bronze in both F1 and second-generation hybrids.

The Bronze Age Collection

Building on this historic lineage, Utopia Clivias has developed a new series—“The Bronze Age”—derived directly from Tol’s Bronze. This collection highlights:

  • The depth and beauty of Tol’s Bronze genetics

  • Its exceptional breeding potential

  • Innovative crosses and colour expression in modern Clivia hybrids

The Bronze Age series celebrates both heritage and innovation, offering breeders and collectors unique opportunities to explore the possibilities within this remarkable genetic line.

Conservation and Ethical Cultivation

Tol’s Bronze is a cultivated line of significant historical and breeding value. At Utopia Clivias, plants are carefully propagated from seed and ethically managed, ensuring both the preservation of its lineage and the continued development of new, high-quality hybrids.