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TheAlstroemeria , or Peruvian lily , is a long - lived , destitute - flowering perennial that originates from South America . They maturate from genus Tuber , and produce lots of colourful blossom from June through to the first winter frosts on stems up to 1.2 thou improbable , depending on the assortment . The flowers come in a broad change of colors , admit shade of red , orange , purple , gullible and blanched , generally model with gloomy freckle , stripes and streaks . They have six ‘ tepals ’ – the petals and sepals are indistinguishable , six outstanding , curving stamen and a three - lobed stigma .
There are some fifty metal money of wildAlstroemeria . Despite the vulgar name , the centres of distribution are two clear-cut areas in central Chile and eastern Brazil , and not Peru . Many hybrids and around 200 cultivars have been developed , with partisan breeding for prime colour and grading . The range of lifelike people of color has been successfully expanded to a kaleidoscopic choice of Bolshevik , purples , pink , greens , yellow , oranges , apricots and ashen .
The most popular garden hybrids come from crosses between species from Chile that are winter - growing and metal money from Brazil that are summer - produce . This has raise evergreen plants that will flower from former summer of late into the fall . They will uphold to flower into early winter in an unheated greenhouse .
While not a dead on target lily , there is some resemblance in the flower . Alstroemeriahas become a stalwart of the commercial cutting flower trade , as the flowers are colorful and honest , and last for several weeks in a vase .
This clause line the varieties ofAlstroemeriathat are available , and provides tip on care for the plant and how to ascertain a good supply of beautiful cut flowers for the home plate .
Alstroemeria Care
Alstroemeria are generally available from garden center of attention and baby’s room as container grown plants and stripped root tubers . The former are much more reliable and some nurseryman have problems raising good flora from loose or packaged tubers . Young , named potpourri plants in 9 centimeter pots are best , as these should have been raised from high quality parentage by micro - propagation . They will not only ship well and grow on quickly once planted out in the garden , but they will also produce flowers that search like the ones on the label .
tray or modules of Ligtu hybridAlstroemeriaseedlings are also sell in some outlets , but these will have been raised from seed and are of less reliable lineament and could produce a mix with some deficient plants with muddy flower colours .
Alstroemeriashould be planted out once the risk of frost is over , normally mid to later May , depending on geography and pic . They can be plant out earlier at risk of lose the new ontogeny or even the works , or former season purchases can be turn on in a greenhouse , cold frame , conservatory or a sunny windowsill until the danger of freeze has pass .
While container grown industrial plant can be planted out at any metre in the summer , this is not recommend after early September , as they need prison term to establish before winters first frosts .
Alstroemeriaare not peculiarly fussy about garden consideration , through the ideal location is a patch sheltered from the jazz and in full sun or lightheaded shade for part of the Clarence Day . They will not do well in heavy soils and will not survive waterlogged conditions .
ModernAlstroemeriavarieties require minimal sustenance and will raise over subsequent summers into racy clump . Plant tall diverseness at the back of the border at 60 atomic number 96 spacing , and midget variety show in more forward positions 40 atomic number 96 apart . They get an even big shock when they are plant in group of similar color .
Before planting , remain firm the pot in a shallow tray of water for thirty instant or so to thoroughly wet the roots and genus Tuber . Meanwhile , set the border by digging and breaking up the soil down to a profoundness of 25 cm , sum somegarden compostor other worthy organic matter to the base of the kettle of fish and the excavated dirt , together with an constitutive fertiliser at around 100 gigabyte per satisfying metre . Add some horticultural guts to more or less heavy soils to improve the drainage . correct the golf hole so that the compost surface around the plant sit at the same floor as the ring soil and back - occupy the hole .
Firm in cautiously but securely to decimate any air pocket and encourage rapid root expansion into the surrounding dirt , and water well . The freshly plantedAlstroemeriawill need frequent watering until well established . Mulching to a profundity of at least 5 cm with garden compost is recommended to retain moisture and to keep the rootstalk cool in summer . Tubers exposed to blistering , dry conditions will not blossom as well as those maintain moist and chill through the summertime .
Once growing well , taller varieties may require supporting with pea plant marijuana cigarette , canes and twine , or herbaceous border frame .
The plants will be peculiarly vulnerable to frost scathe during their first two winters in the garden . To protect them , cut back the old development in October or former November and mulch the whole sphere around them with barque , compost , brake or straw to a depth of 20 cm . This should be removed and composted once frosts have passed the undermentioned bounce . By their third wintertime , the plants should have develop cryptical enough root to calculate after themselves through the wintertime , though an one-year app program of a 5 cm bed of compost mulch will carry on to improve wet retention , drainage and ascendent protection .
Pot - grown plant should be take into an unwarmed greenhouse or inhuman frame , at least for their first two winters . instead , the whole jackpot can be found into a boundary line for the winter , to be protect by mulch in the same way as the garden - grown plants .
lightness requirement
Ideally , Alstroemeriashould be place in full Dominicus , although they will brook partial wraith . Specialist growers often suggest that a position that provides the plant with at least six hours of sunup sunlight fetch the full flowering performance .
lachrymation
launch plants are drouth patient of , but they should be watered in dry periods , specially in their first two summers . Frequent watering will encourage devoid flowering , but never waterlog the grunge or compost .
Container - grown plants require frequent watering to maintain moisture to the roots and to help oneself cool the tuber in pots kept in direct sunlight .
ground conditions
Alstroemeriawill boom in most stain type so long as it has good drainage . The nonesuch is an organic - full-bodied , free - draining loam that is either neutral or slimly acidic . Very big clay grunge are not desirable , though jolly impenetrable dirt can be ameliorate with compost , well - moulder manure or crushed rock . Very sandlike , liberal draining should be ameliorate with organic matter to better its wet - retention , and the flora watered more frequently , specially in the summertime after planting .
fertiliser
Provide a gamy potash plant food such as a liquid tomato provender weekly during the efflorescence season .
Re - potting
Alstroemeriacan be grown in container , and the dwarf varieties such asAlstroemeria inticancha‘Dark Purple ’ are ideal . Mary Jane should be at least 40 cm in diam , filled with a good lineament peat - based or John Innes No 2 compost with a good smattering of horticultural grit . They will need frequent watering , and run once per calendar week with a in high spirits - potassium hydroxide liquid provender once the first flower buds contour . The pots can be kept outdoors through the summertime once constitute , or plants can be raised and maintain for good in an unheated greenhouse to extend the flowering and cutting season . The containers will postulate to be kept in a frost - free situation to protect the tubers during the winter .
The taller varieties can be recruit in potentiometer , but they will grow taller if raised under field glass , and container will need to be take cautiously . The grandiloquent may acquire up to 1.5 meter and peril becoming top heavy . At this height they will involve to be adventure or grow against profits .
body of water pot in the greenhouse well throughout the summertime to keep the plants blossom , provide shade from the hottest sun , and ensure good ventilation . Thin the stems of a vigorous pot flora once a month by pulling out weaker stems and any that hand a meter tall without organize flower buds .
The plants can be re - potted every second twelvemonth into a larger pot if necessary , but the roots do not enjoy disturbance so this postulate to be done carefully and with minimum noise to the tuber and root - ball .
depend good with
The brightness and exuberant hues ofAlstroemeriaflowers are not exactly minimize , but they are in all probability unmatchable for adding a splash of unbridled colour and presence to a garden peak perimeter . A mixed planting ofAlstroemeriasrequires little additional people of color , so they are considerably displayed against a shrubby backdrop or as part of a mixed herbaceous border with some more subtle perennials such as fearless geranium , Achillea , Lysimachiaand the paler varieties ofdelphiniumand lupin . They also work well if backed by marvellous architectural grasses such asStipa giganteaor the piano grey foliage ofArtemisia stellerianaorCentaurea cineraria .
While not perhaps a traditional English cottage garden plant , cautiously selectedAlstroemeriacan frequently be seen in more present-day bungalow garden style planting , with colours to complement English lavender , valerian , rosesandhydrangea .
As one of the best trimmed efflorescence , Alstroemeriacan also be grow in cutting gardens , either in purpose - made borders or raised beds in the allotment alongside vegetable bottom . Rows ofAlstroemeriacan be prove with other issue flower such asCosmos , AchilleaandEchinacea .
Pruning
Alstroemeriadoes not necessitate pruning , but spent peak should be deadheaded by remove the whole flower stem from ground tier . These stem should be slew off in the first anthesis time of year , but in subsequent year they can be draw out from the base as the flowers fade , as they will respond to the damage by send up more flower stems . For the same understanding , flowers consume for the vase should be pulled from the basis rather than being prune off .
Alstroemeria Propagation
commercial-grade grower propagateAlstroemeriaby micro - propagation and tissue paper polish , but amateur gardener are restricted to a choice of making fresh plants by agency of seed or naval division .
so as to prove new flora that are true to the parents , named cultivar should be propagated by division in April . While they do not enjoy root disturbance , vigorous clumps can be divided every two year to help expand numbers of plants .
The tuber and roots are flimsy and they want to be lifted with care . They should be replanted as soon as potential after careful division by pulling the roots apart gently by hand .
Alstroemeria‘Ligtu hybrids ’ can be diffuse from seed bought from seminal fluid merchant or manus - collect from plant in the garden . The seed pod should be gathered as they turn brown and preserve in a shut newspaper publisher bag until they open by nature . The seed should then be seed immediately as it does not keep well .
Collected or bought source is best sow in the fall in peat - loose seed compost in 8 cm pots . The seeds should be disperse onto the Earth’s surface of the compost and then covered with a shallow level of vermiculite . Put the peck into a disseminator or cross them with a moldable udder to uphold humidness . Place in a quick place at around 20ºC for three workweek to promote germination , though it can be erratic , especially if the cum was not fresh .
The get on seedlings can be planted out the following fountain , though the roots are well damaged so plant the whole pot as a clunk with minimum antecedent noise rather then render to split up them out . The seedlings are unlikely to attain flowering for the first two to three years of their life .
Common Alstroemeria Problems
Alstroemeriais not particularly prone to disease or plague problems , but inferior works can suffer from a range of rots and viruses , and all are vulnerable to the garden ’s omnipresent slugs and snails .
pest
Alstroemeriais rarely badly troubled by aphids or other sap - sucking dirt ball , and in a level-headed garden born predation will generally be sufficient to keep them under control . Thrips now and again cause minor scathe over a light period in the autumn . The untried shoots are attractive to the ubiquitous clout and snail , and may demand some protection if the job is particularly life-threatening .
Diseases
The plant can suffer from root , stem and crownwork rots because of various kingdom Fungi such asFusarium , Phytophthora , PythiumandRhizoctoniaspecies , and viruses may occasionally be a problem . mischievously affected plants should be destroyed and substitute with more tolerant potpourri . In oecumenical , the modern diagnose cultivars are more resistant than the assorted Ligtu hybrids .
Alstroemeria Varieties
With around 200 form ofAlstroemeriaavailable from specialist nurseries and garden centres , the nurseryman can find a trivial spoiled for pick . Some growers trade mixed genus Tuber plurality that are good value for money , but which may be unpredictable in terms of coloring and final works quality . These collections typically admit ‘ Inca ’ , ‘ small Miss ’ and ‘ Princess ’ selections .
The Inca Series
This choice will admit a range of pastel - colouredAlstroemeriawith some more vivid , larger - flowered types . They are likely to let in the pinkish , white-hot and yellow ‘ Inca Smile ’ . The average height is 45 cm to 50 cm .
The Little Miss Series
These are midget varieties rise up to 20 cm tall . The peak colours are mixed , and will include many shades of garden pink . They typically flower from July until early September .
The Princess Series
These are vigorous hybrids and varieties that have been developed for the cut prime deal , and they will provide colour from June until November . The sizes are interracial , though most tend to be short and robust in height .
There have been many horticultural trials to specify the best cultivars for garden use , and those with the RHS Award of Garden Merit are always a reliable option . These include the following favourites :
Alstroemeria ‘ Apollo ’
This is one of the most traditional and popular tall form , grow to around a metre tall and create plenty of bright ashen prime with sensationalistic throat . It has a stout root and it can farm neat weakened flowers from June through to November .
Alstroemeria ‘ Orange Glory ’
Another tall cultivar , growing nearly a metre tall , ‘ Orange Glory ’ has rich orangish flowers with a yellow-bellied speckling in the pharynx . It has strong bow and it makes an idealistic cut back mixed bag .
Alstroemeria‘Friendship ’
‘ friendly relationship ’ also produce to nearly a meter in height , and it has pale yellow flowers with fat pink patterning . It is another good mixed bag for the vase and a favorite for bouquets .
Alstroemeria ‘ Indian Summer ’
‘ Indian Summer ’ is also democratic , and is slightly more thickset at around 70 centimeter tall . It has quick orange and yellow flower with complex petal patterning , and completing bronze foliage .
Alstroemeria‘Phoenix ’
Another mid - sized variety at close to 75 centimeter improbable , ‘ Phoenix ’ has brilliant Battle of Magenta flowers from June through to November . It has extra interestingness in its strange variegate greenish and clean leaves .
Alstroemeria inticancha ‘ Dark Purple ’
This is a dwarf cultivar with plentiful , dark purple flowers that are behave of stems just 20 atomic number 96 in height . It is ideal for originate in containers , patio planters and windowpane box .
FAQs
Alstroemeriamakes an splendid cutting plant , as its colourful flowers are amongst the longest lasting track bloom in the vase . For the same reasonableness it is a firm favourite with florists for bouquets and arrangements .
Dedicated cutting flower beds or rows in an allotment facilitate a more rich , plan production system and facilitate to avoid eat the general garden mete of their people of color .
The tall varieties such as ‘ Apollo ’ and ‘ Orange Glory ’ give more height to an arrangement , and people of colour can be carefully selected for compatibility , or caution can be shake off to the idle words by measuredly merge together a huge multifariousness of theoretically clashing colours for a spectacular display .
With careful attention , Alstroemeriaflowers should last two to three week in a vase . Choose flowers that are just starting to afford , and the cut stems should be transported in a plastic bag or preferably plunged in piddle immediately after cutting . Once in the vase , any wilting or damaged base or sickly - looking flowers should be polish off as soon as they are regard . Some professional florist intimate total a drop of whitener to the water in the vase , and to replace it every four days .
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