Alstroemeria at home and outdoors

Alstroemeria (alstroemeria) - rhizome and tuberous herbaceous plants belong to the Alstremeriev family. Distribution area - South America.

Description of Alstroemeria

Alstremerias are perennials with spindle-shaped, juicy roots. The stem is flexible, upright with thin, linear, whole leaves of two types: large (vegetative) on top and small, distributed throughout the stem, reproductive.

There is another uniqueness inherent in all Alstroemerians - resupination, in the process of growth petioles are twisted through 180 °. Umbrella inflorescences from 5 cm of flowers resembling a lily, on one there are up to 30 pieces. Their color is very diverse, but almost everyone has a speckled pattern.

Pollination occurs by insects and wind. A fruit box is formed, which, when opened during ripening, spills seeds next to the plant.

Types and varieties of alstroemeria

The most adapted are the following types:

Home care for alstroemeria

Alstroemeria grows well indoors, subject to certain rules:

• The rhizome of the flower is long (cone-shaped), so they take a deep container, at least 30 cm, with a drainage hole.
• The location is sunny, but protected from direct rays.
• In winter - away from heating.
• Watering - regular after 3 days, in the summer - more frequent, but moderate. Apply settled water.
• Spraying every day.
• Soil: leafy, peat, humus, pine bark (2: 1: 1: 1).
• Top dressing - with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (minimum), in the absence of flowers, but with plentiful foliage - change the fertilizer or stop feeding.
• Annual transplant in spring.

Planting and care of alstroemeria in open ground

For growing in the garden using tall varieties (Beauty, Golden, Peruvian, Orange King).

Reproduction and planting of alstroemeria

Bred by seeds and division of rhizomes. Seeds are sown in April, flowering occurs only in the third year. At the end of spring, adult rhizome cones or parts are planted, separated from the mother bush with a sharp knife:

• Choose a place sunny or partial shade, sheltered, warm.
• Distribute a large amount of compost and close it into the ground. Heavy soils improve with sand.
• Dig holes 15-20 cm through 30-50 cm.
• In each hole they plant one outlet, straightening the roots.
• They fall asleep, watered and mulch (peat, dry leaves).

Further care

Subsequent care of the plant is as follows:

• High alstroemeria are supported by a transverse coarse mesh.
• Regularly watered with soft water.
• Before flowering, they are fed with liquid fertilizers for flowering with a high content of potassium.
• Then every week with complex dressings with a minimum of nitrogen components.
• In autumn - cut the stems, leaving no more than 10 cm, cover with bark, dry foliage, film, spruce branches.
• During cold winters, rhizome cones are dug up in October and dried. Tubers are stored at a low temperature, not more than +8 ° C, but not lower than 0 ° C in boxes with earth.

Adult plants that winter in the soil sprout in early spring and therefore may die from frost, but will grow again when heat sets in.

Diseases and pests of alstroemeria

The plant is quite resistant to disease and is rarely attacked by insects. But with poor care problems are possible.

Extending the life of a bouquet of alstroemeria

Alstroemeria flowers after cutting retain their attractiveness for at least two weeks, but for this it is necessary to properly care for and carefully contain a bouquet of alstroemeria.

Flowers are cut, when the buds are just beginning to open, the leaves are mostly removed. Contain at a temperature of + 5 ... +7 ° C, for example, next to an air conditioner. Water is replaced daily with clean, settled (add citric acid, vinegar or ammonia), the vase is disinfected. Blooming buds are constantly removed. You can feed with floral additives (Bud, Vitant).

Watch the video: How to Plant Alstroemeria Peruvian Lily: Summer Garden Guide (May 2024).