These long - last cut flowers come in an abundance of colors .
Edward Gohlich
The cut flower of all trim back flowers , alstroemeria is a staple formixed posy . With bloom that last up to two weeks and a color pallet almost as wide-eyed as the spectrum , theseperennial plantsstarted as a good for the bloom markets before find their way into base gardens .
Credit:Edward Gohlich
The flowers of the alstroemeria are so interesting and diverse that they are often liken to orchidaceous plant . There is a huge variety of color combining to choose from , let in multicolored varieties with brushstrokes of color . The shopping centre three flower petal on these beautiful bloom feature film streaks and spot almost resonant of whiskers .
Alstroemeria is toxic to man .
Where to Plant Alstroemeria
Find a location in full sunlight with moist but well - debilitate , slightly acidic soil to implant alstroemeria . Although they are mostly known for mown flowers , you do n’t have to limit them to acut flower garden ; they also depend well in a sunny boundary line in the party of other perennials and shrub .
Alstroemeria is native to South America and has naturalized in the United States . Although the plant have not been classified as trespassing , they have a reputation for spread sharply . Thoroughly toil up the tubers in undesirable area . If you allow a single tuber behind , a new plant may regrow from it . Alternatively , plant alstroemeria in pots to contain their spread .
How and When to Plant Alstroemeria
The best time to plant alstroemeria is in mid- to late spring , around April or May . To implant a greenhouse - produce potted plant , drudge a hole twice the diam of the pile and about the same depth . set the plant in the center of the hole and fill in original land to the top of the etymon ball . softly tamp down down the soil and water well .
Space plants 1 ½ to 2 feet apart , depending on the fledged size of the variety .
Alstroemeria Care Tips
Alstroemeria is easy to develop . It expand when its basic pauperism are met .
Light
For the honorable show of flowers , maturate these plants infull sun . Some mixed bag put up fond shade , but they are much more likely to flop over and wo n’t be as floriferous .
Soil and Water
Plant alstroemeria in moist butwell - enfeeble soilwith apH between 5.5 and 6.3 . Because of their fleshy tuberous roots , alstroemeria are potential to rot in too much water system . They thrive with consistent moisture , particularly during flowering .
Once the plants are established , they tolerate short droughts without a job . The tubers store nutrients and water for fourth dimension of need , allow the plants todeal with droughtand other nerve-wracking full stop better than most .
Temperature and Humidity
Alstroemerias are not winter - hardy belowUSDA Zone6 . Their ideal grow temperature ranges between 65 ° F and 80 ° fluorine . They do n’t have any specific humidness needs .
Fertilizer
rather of cutting the bloom from the theme , as you would other slew flowers , force the full stem out of the plant . Grasp a flower stalk at its Qaeda and pull it out . This method advance the works to form new shoots at the base . Cutting the root word midway down can retard the growth of the plant life . After pulling the whole radical up , write out it to the ask duration , remove any lower foliage if desired , and place it in a vase .
Potting and Repotting Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria is a salutary out-of-door potted plant . Growing it in pots save it confined to its intend topographic point without spreading into unwanted areas .
habituate a container with large drainage holes and fill it with a miscellanea of well - draining potting mix andcompost . Keep in mind that container plant need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil .
Although alstroemeria is wintertime - hardy to Zone 6 , growing it in a container exposes the root to the cold . To winterise the gage , insulate them by sinking the container in the solid ground or by placing it in a second , larger pot to create a planting silo .
Credit: Edward Gohlich
Repot the plant to a larger Mary Jane with unfermented grunge when the genus Tuber have reached the sides of the container , or the roots grow out of the drain holes .
Pests and Problems
Alstroemeria is susceptible toaphids , wanderer mites , whiteflies , snails , andslugs . When plant in overly wet conditions , it is susceptible to etymon rot .
To prevent flopping , which is especially likely with older varieties and variety maturate for mown efflorescence , provide a supporting or stakes to moderate up the tall stalk .
How to Propagate Alstroemeria
Over time , alstroemeria forms large settlement , anddividing the plantsis an well-situated way to disseminate alstroemeria and keep the settlement ’s size within bound . In the other spring or former declination , dig up the clump of tuberous roots and divide it into sections , making certain that each incision include healthy tubers . Replant them in a Modern localization at the same depth as the original plant and water well .
After being divided , the plant is slow to re - establish , and some of the more temperamental varieties may take a twelvemonth or two until they blossom again . That ’s why division is only recommend every few years .
Types of Alstroemeria
More than 120 species of alstroemeria bring forth bloom in colors of royal , red , orange , pink , yellow , or whitened , some of which are striped or speckled with other colors . There are also legion hybrids .
Alstroemeria aurea
Alstroemeria aureahas yellow or orange clusters of lilylike flowers on refined stem 2 to 3 feet tall . Zones 7–10
‘Summer Heat’
Large bloom and tall stems on a flora develop 3 substructure tall make this hybrid a favorite for cut flowers . The bright cherry flowers of ‘ Summer Heat ’ have a yellow fundamental solar flare . Zone 6 - 9
‘Inca Ocean’
This hybrid has bi - color lavender - down bloom with lighter sharpness . ‘ Inca Ocean ’ grows 8 to 12 inch marvelous and spreads 14 to 16 inches . geographical zone 7 - 9
Alstroemeria Companion Plants
Sedum
Sedumsare nearly perfect plant . They look good from the moment they emerge from the soil in spring and continue to look refreshed and fabulous all growing time of year long . Many are attractive even in wintertime after their foliage exit and is left standing . They ’re also drouth - kind and need very little , if any , care . They’refavorites of butterfly and bees . The tall types are outstanding for rationalize and dry out . There are many type of sedum , from those that top 2 feet to low - growing groundcover that form Master of Arts in Teaching . All flourish in full sun with good drain . Zone 3 - 10
Aster
Asterflowers are the hotshot of the fall garden . Some types of this native plant life can hit up to 6 feet with ashen and pink flowers , as well as rich purple and showy lavenders . Not all asters are fall pratfall . go the time of year by maturate some of the summer bloomers . Some are naturally compact . Others are tall types that maturate more than 2 feet tall . zona 3 - 9
Penstemon
With a rainbow of coloring material and C of species , penstemonoffers as much diversity as alstroemeria . From dwarf alpine plants to prairie penstemons reaching up to 5 feet marvellous , there ’s a meridian for every part of the garden . These tough perennials stand up to vivid growing conditions , including wretched , gravelly soil . Zone 3 - 9
Frequently Asked Questions
No . cut back the entire plant for wintertime stunt the flowers in the following season . However , you may remove someone expend staunch at the ground short letter after they fail .
Alstroemeria ( commonly predict Peruvian lily ) are nottrue liliesand are not toxic to your felines .
Although alstroemeria grows in container put outdoors , it is n’t well - suited to growing as a houseplant , principally because it requires six to eight time of day of full sun daily .
Credit: Jo-Ann Richards
Hummingbirds are passing attracted to the colour and shape of alstroemeria blooms . They are n’t alone . bee and butterfly are also draw to alstroemeria .
Alstroemeria . North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension .
Credit: Jay Wilde
Credit: Mike Jensen
