Harnessing the Breeding Potential of Secret Desire
By Carrie Krüger – Utopia Clivias
The journey into pink and versi-colour interspecific Clivia breeding at Utopia Clivias began in 2007 with a meaningful gift from the late Kobus Visser. Among the seedlings received were ten two-year-old plants, all originating from the same carefully constructed cross:
(Coromandel Orange × Group 1 Yellow) × 5 Star (Gardenii × Group 1 Yellow).
These F1 seedlings were genetically split for Group 1 Yellow. When sibling crosses were later made, many progeny developed green stems—an important indicator of potential for unusual and refined flower colours within interspecific breeding programs.
The Emergence of Secret Desire
In 2009, the first seedling from this group flowered, immediately distinguishing itself from its siblings. The bloom displayed large, creamy pastel tones that matured into a soft pink blush, carried on a graceful stem above a small to medium-sized plant. Its semi-open flower form added further elegance and balance.
This exceptional plant was exhibited at the Eastern Province Interspecific Show, where it was awarded Best on Show. In recognition of both its beauty and the intrigue it generated, the plant was named Secret Desire. Since then, it has earned multiple Best on Show awards at interspecific exhibitions and has become one of the most important breeding plants in the Utopia Clivias collection.
A Proven Breeding Plant
While Secret Desire can be reluctant as a pod parent, its true strength lies in its highly viable pollen. When used as a pollen parent, it consistently produces offspring of exceptional quality across a wide range of crosses, including pink, pastel, and versi-colour interspecifics.
Notably, progeny often inherit not only its refined colour palette but also its elegant flower shape, even when Secret Desire contributes only pollen. This reliable transmission of form and aesthetic balance is a key factor that elevates Secret Desire from an outstanding plant to a truly elite breeding parent.
Notable Offspring and Breeding Outcomes
Over the years, Secret Desire has produced a series of highly regarded offspring that consistently demonstrate its ability to transmit refined flower form, colour clarity, and strong interspecific character. These plants offer both immediate show quality and long-term breeding value.
Notable examples include:
- Jevon’s Desire (Jupiter × Secret Desire) – Balanced form with soft, refined colour expression.
- Galileo (Jupiter × Secret Desire) – A contrasting sibling highlighting the genetic breadth of the cross.
- Secret Obsession (Desert Rose × Secret Desire) – A standout versi-colour interspecific, awarded Gold in the Versi-colour Class and Best on Show at the 2025 GRCC Interspecific Show.
- Flame of Freedom (Soft Whisper × Secret Desire) – Warm-toned blooms with elegant floral structure.
- Secret Glow (Pastel Lanterns × Secret Desire) – A refined pastel expression within the Secret Desire spectrum.
- Secret Allure (Baby’s Breath × Secret Desire) – A sibling group valued for uniformity of form and gentle colour.
- Hush Hush (Estelle × Secret Desire) – A distinctive interspecific with strong individuality and breeding promise.
Collectively, these offspring demonstrate the versatility of Secret Desire across diverse pairings. Progeny range from delicate pinks and pastels to bold versi-colour contrasts, consistently unified by strong genetics and refined flower form. Such results underscore the importance of long-term selection, genetic stability, and strategic pairing in producing reliable, show-quality interspecific Clivia.
Show Success and Proven Heritability
At the 2025 GRCC Interspecific Show, Secret Obsession (Desert Rose × Secret Desire) lived up to its name, captivating judges and enthusiasts alike as it claimed Gold in the Versi-colour Class and the coveted title of Best on Show.
This achievement highlights the consistent transmission of desirable characteristics from Secret Desire to its offspring, indicating a high degree of heritability. The repeatable expression of refined flower form, colour clarity, and overall quality reinforces Secret Desire’s value as a dominant and highly reliable breeding plant within the versi-colour interspecific category.
Such results emphasise the importance of careful selection over multiple generations and demonstrate the role of genetic stability in producing show-quality interspecific Clivia.
A Cornerstone of Pink and Versi-Coloured Interspecific Breeding
Secret Desire continues to be one of the cornerstones of our pink and versi-colour interspecific Clivia breeding program. Its influence is evident across numerous lines, consistently contributing refined colour expression, balanced flower form, and dependable breeding performance.
As new generations continue to flower, we look forward to sharing further results that build on this strong genetic foundation.
For breeders focused on pink, pastel, or versi-colour interspecific Clivia—or those seeking to improve flower form and overall quality—Secret Desire remains one of the most valuable and reliable breeding plants in any serious collection.
