There are a number of different forms of leaf variegation in Clivia, and they behave differently. First off, while viruses may cause variegation in some species, I have not seen any viruses in Cliva species caused by viruses.
With the exception of "Tiger" variegation (not to be confused with clivia cultivars referred to by some chinese breeders as "Tiger" variegation is generally maternally inherited. So, the berry parent must carry the trait for it to be passed on.
The most commonly recognized form of variegation for most folks is longitudinal. In clivia this is maternally inherited. In a general sense, the berry parents most likely to pass on the trait will have many stripes rather than leaves that are 1/2 white/yellow and 1/2 green. This latter form is sometimes referred to as "duck" form and it is not easy for such a plant to pass longitudinal variegation. It is much more likely from a plant with many stripes. Oversimplifying, consider that the chances of an ovule developing with both green and white tissue is slim if the only chance is to be derived from the one spot where green and white meet on a plant that is 1/2 green and 1/2 white. If there are 10 stripes the chances are much higher.
When there are lots of stripes in the mother plant you will potentially see a full array of levels of variegation in the offspring. This means some totally green, some totally white/yellow (albino) that will die, some with lots of stripes, some with few stripes, some with minor stripes, some mostly white/yellow but some green that will grow slow or be feeble. Assume 1/3 descent variegation, 1/3 mortality and 1/3 green.
Light of Buddha variegation has yellow/while coloring in the center of the crown to one degree or another. This can be hardly any to mostly yellow. In generally nearly 100% will show some of this pattern. It may be the case that the plant needs to mature to see it and it may be the case that only the inflorescence stalk will show the pale coloration.
Akebono coloration in its best form has broad horizontal bands of lighter coloration along the leaves... not emanating from the center like Light of Buddha. Inheritance is also near 100% to one degree or another. In addition there it seems that some akebono plants can transmit the trait via pollen so it may not be strictly maternally inherited. Akebono variegastion can also cause the bloom color to be more pale than would otherwise be the case. Orange may appear more pastel in coloration.
Finally back to "tiger" variegation. Here there are thin horizontal bands... sometimes very thin. As well there are often welts associated with these horizontal stripes. With this form of variegation it can be transmitted by pollen, and you are likely to get better tigers as well as more tigers if the trait is present in both parents. Tiger variegation is relatively new. Because it can be passed via pollen you can get clivia plants that have both longitudinal as well as horizontal stripes. Moreover because Akebono can also (rarely) pass via pollen you can get a single plant with 3 forms of variegation simultaneously.
Very recently a new form of variegation has appeared. These are called Blood Clivia... here there is blood red coloration mixed with green. This is heritable, but I do not know the genetic mechanism.
When akebono or light of buddha seedling start with a pale leaf they are more difficult to keep alive. Often green leaves will follow. Try to make sure they have ample light but not so strong that they burn. I use wire shelves and a single LED tube shoplight for my seedlings. You can run the lights 24/7 to facilitate quicker growth. Clivia do not need much water and are prone to rot when they are too wet but seedlings cannot be allowed to dry out. I tend to water every day via misting. Others keep them under a humidity dome... I prefer not to for fear of fungal issues. Some use captan powder to guard against fungal attacks.
Finally good tiger and akebono banding can be less well defined if plants to not get a dormancy period. Tiger variegation can disappear altogether as well and then reappear... and I don't think anyone really knows why. Such plants can still pass on the trait.
Anyway hopefully this helps
With the exception of "Tiger" variegation (not to be confused with clivia cultivars referred to by some chinese breeders as "Tiger" variegation is generally maternally inherited. So, the berry parent must carry the trait for it to be passed on.
The most commonly recognized form of variegation for most folks is longitudinal. In clivia this is maternally inherited. In a general sense, the berry parents most likely to pass on the trait will have many stripes rather than leaves that are 1/2 white/yellow and 1/2 green. This latter form is sometimes referred to as "duck" form and it is not easy for such a plant to pass longitudinal variegation. It is much more likely from a plant with many stripes. Oversimplifying, consider that the chances of an ovule developing with both green and white tissue is slim if the only chance is to be derived from the one spot where green and white meet on a plant that is 1/2 green and 1/2 white. If there are 10 stripes the chances are much higher.
When there are lots of stripes in the mother plant you will potentially see a full array of levels of variegation in the offspring. This means some totally green, some totally white/yellow (albino) that will die, some with lots of stripes, some with few stripes, some with minor stripes, some mostly white/yellow but some green that will grow slow or be feeble. Assume 1/3 descent variegation, 1/3 mortality and 1/3 green.
Light of Buddha variegation has yellow/while coloring in the center of the crown to one degree or another. This can be hardly any to mostly yellow. In generally nearly 100% will show some of this pattern. It may be the case that the plant needs to mature to see it and it may be the case that only the inflorescence stalk will show the pale coloration.
Akebono coloration in its best form has broad horizontal bands of lighter coloration along the leaves... not emanating from the center like Light of Buddha. Inheritance is also near 100% to one degree or another. In addition there it seems that some akebono plants can transmit the trait via pollen so it may not be strictly maternally inherited. Akebono variegastion can also cause the bloom color to be more pale than would otherwise be the case. Orange may appear more pastel in coloration.
Finally back to "tiger" variegation. Here there are thin horizontal bands... sometimes very thin. As well there are often welts associated with these horizontal stripes. With this form of variegation it can be transmitted by pollen, and you are likely to get better tigers as well as more tigers if the trait is present in both parents. Tiger variegation is relatively new. Because it can be passed via pollen you can get clivia plants that have both longitudinal as well as horizontal stripes. Moreover because Akebono can also (rarely) pass via pollen you can get a single plant with 3 forms of variegation simultaneously.
Very recently a new form of variegation has appeared. These are called Blood Clivia... here there is blood red coloration mixed with green. This is heritable, but I do not know the genetic mechanism.
When akebono or light of buddha seedling start with a pale leaf they are more difficult to keep alive. Often green leaves will follow. Try to make sure they have ample light but not so strong that they burn. I use wire shelves and a single LED tube shoplight for my seedlings. You can run the lights 24/7 to facilitate quicker growth. Clivia do not need much water and are prone to rot when they are too wet but seedlings cannot be allowed to dry out. I tend to water every day via misting. Others keep them under a humidity dome... I prefer not to for fear of fungal issues. Some use captan powder to guard against fungal attacks.
Finally good tiger and akebono banding can be less well defined if plants to not get a dormancy period. Tiger variegation can disappear altogether as well and then reappear... and I don't think anyone really knows why. Such plants can still pass on the trait.
Anyway hopefully this helps