Keep in mind that purchased seeds should come already stratified, and ready for planting. As a matter of fact, you can stimulate plant growth each time you want cut flowers. What is Alstroemeria? Here’s a tip: If you’re in for an unusually hot spell, water well and mound mulch around your plants to help keep the ground cool. If you are growing in containers where the winters are harsh, bring them inside before the first frost. Alstroemerias are low maintenance, long lived plants that are prized for their usability in cut flower bouquets. This year I dug up my new plant, trimmed it to about 3 inches and planted it in peat moss in a clay pot and sprinkled lightly with water. Alstroemeria are fairly large plants that should be grown in their own beds as they have invasive tendencies. Use a slow-release fertilizer for best results. The soil must… Read more ». Starting & Saving Seeds, available on Amazon. Excess winter wet can cause the fleshy roots to rot, so ensure border plants are growing in free-draining soil. For the future health of your plants, if they have outgrown their pots and the root have become entangled as you’ve described, repotting is suggested to preserve their health in the future. Some bloom in the first year, most by the second. It’s this “cold stratification” that enables it to break dormancy and sprout. If you choose to start alstroemerias from seeds, soak the seeds overnight and start them in seed starting trays. If you notice these symptoms quickly enough, you can successfully treat it by improving the drainage of your soil. The two most common are the tomato spotted wilt virus usually spread by thrips and the Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) mosaic virus usually spread by aphids. You can avoid this by “deadheading” spent blossoms to prevent seed fall. Place the tuberous rootstock on the mound and cover it with earth. Make sure the ground is prepared with good compost. The dwarf ornamental long flowering alstroemeria is called the Princess Lilies these are low growing, they are great grown in pots, balconies and perennial borders, these come in all colours too and amazingly the flowers are a similar size to the tall varieties. Hello I just acquired this plant from my in laws. Alstroemeria Growing Guide. To store alstromeria for the winter, the temperature should be between 35°F and 45°F, and you should water lightly once a month. Hi Dorene – Her background includes landscape and floral design, a BS in business from Villanova University, and a Certificate of Merit in floral design from Longwood Gardens. Alstroemeria, also called Peruvian lily, is a wonderful cut flower and lasts up to two weeks in a vase. Otherwise, your flowers may not be as plentiful. This 14-inch dwarf with freckled yellow faces on each blossom is perfect for the garden or container. I hesitate to pull it out as it will surely disturb the roots… What do you suggest? This fungus thrives in heavy, wet soils. You may also dig tubers from the earth and bring them inside in pots of soil. Hi Kathy, How to Grow Alstroemeria. Last updated April 18, 2020. They produce loose clusters of speckled, 1½"-2" Azalea-like flowers on long, leafy stems in late spring into mid summer. With larger pots and longer crop times, there is greater need for more perlite, pumice, coir, or bark in mix to avoid compaction and shrinkage of media. They are propagated by the division of their rootstock and bred this way so as not to become invasive. Plant in the spring, after soil temperatures reach the 60s. As highlighted in “A Note of Caution,” Peruvian lily contains toxins. My first experience with it was using it as a filler flower among larger specimens in tall vases, as well as a stand-alone in small bud vases and bubble bowls. If these measures don’t stop the spread of the disease, you may be forced to remove and dispose of the affected plants. Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian, parrot, or princess lily, as well as lily of the Incas, is an exceptional cutting garden flower in the Alstroemeriaceae family. Alstroemeria prefers full sunlight but can be grown in light shade. Alstroemeria Peruvian Lily plants are tuberous rooted perennials with bright green, lance shaped foliage that grow 2-3 feet tall. If your plants do show signs of this disease, lightly add some sand and small rocks to the top 10 inches of soil to encourage drainage and add some compost mulch to soak up any excess water. This one has yellow, orange, and red flowers. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. When growing indoors prior to planting out in the spring it is best to grow the plants for 7 to 9 weeks in peat pots. Tell us more about what’s growing in your garden in the comments below. Place your pots in a cool location with filtered sunlight, and water often enough to keep the soil from completely drying out. It is best to sow Peruvian lily just below the soil surface, with a spacing of 35 to 50 cm (14 to 20 inches) in the early spring. Being long-lived perennials, when planted in … The soil should be well drained and humus rich; it is important that the soil is well broken and aired prior to planting. Keep feeding them throughout their growing season, and be careful not to let them get too dry. Alstroemeria is a beautiful, striking plant that is related to the lily (in fact its common name is Peruvian Lily).Originating from South America, they produce spectacular blooms that are bursting with colour, and look attractive both as cut flowers or growing outside in the garden. It is in my basement for the winter. Plants grow quickly in warm soil. Thanks to today’s hybrids and cultivars, there’s a rainbow of options available for the home gardener. Alstroemeria bulbs also benefit from a good level of fertilizer as well as plenty of regular watering. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } In the temperate zones favored by this plant, you may like the visual interest provided by foliage that lasts year-round. Check out these beauties! Full sun to light shade If the root rot continues to spread, remove and dispose of the infected plants. The are several fungal diseases and mosaic viruses that can affect your plants. Alstroemeria is also called Peruvian lily. Sounds like a fun winter project to experiment with, and determine what provides the best germination rate for your collected seeds! Hi Sal – To grow this prolific bloomer, find a sunny to partly shady location. They also make long-lasting cut flowers. 2. At three feet tall, A. psittacina is a red and yellow beauty. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Hi Michelle – There are deciduous and evergreen varieties of Alstroemeria available, with some dropping leaves and others retaining them throughout the dormant winter season. Use 1 to 2 cups for each 25-foot row. You may divide plants in spring to thin them out, make new plants for other locations, share with friends, or all three! Why not start a cutting garden? It is is over 17 years old. With diligent care, by the second year, you’ll enjoy blossoms from summer through fall. Plants grown in full sun do tend to have shorter flower stems than those grown in semi-shade, this is partly due to their search for light. If so, this is an exceptional flower that you need to plant. Optimal growing temperature for alstroemeria Ideal average daily growing … Prepare the soil well with organic matter. Wouldn't it be great if there were a way to fast track that recovery, so you could get a jump on the growth and blooms of alstroemeria in your garden? Alstroemeria requires between two weeks and a year to germinate. Much appreciated for your response The plants benefit from deadheading but you may also want to try pruning Peruvian lilies to create shorter, less leggy stems. Mound the soil to promote drainage as you would to grow squash. Let’s find out all we can and then see where to buy some of our own. I turn the potted plants upside down and find a plastic drain device which the plant has wrapped and nearly consumed. Time to bring my alstroemeria inside for the winter. Water well until the plant is established. If you are under-watering, yellowing leaves will be an early warning sign for you to resume irrigation and ward off pests and vulnerability to disease. Princess lilies grow about six inches high and spread to a foot wide. When spring returns and the frost warnings have passed, divide large clumps of rootstock as desired. However, with so many, you may just want to trim the foliage to the ground and cover the area with several inches of mulch. There are about 80 species native to South America, with the greatest diversity in Chile. You can find plants at Burpee. Many thanks for any advice. Alstroemeria tubers can be planted in the spring, early summer, or fall, depending on your climate. Whenever I start plants from seed, I like to sprout them indoors in egg cartons or seed starting containers. It is planted in a pot. Hippeastrum is identifiable by dark and lighter green mosaic patterns appearing on the leaves. The plants I get locally are not growing more than a foot tall. Most are hardy and easy to grow, blooming generously for many years. They would need occasional watering to keep them from completely drying out. Alstroemeria plants are fairly easy to take care of: they require feeding in the late winter, and should be staked. ‘Summer Breeze’ is a colorful cultivar that grows up to 2-3 feet tall. Hope this helps! See our TOS for more details. Alstroemeria Care. If aphids, spider mites, or white flies appear, it’s probably as a result of either overwatering or not watering often enough, and the stress both can cause. I loved your article on Peruvian lilies! Does it need to be watered during this time. Alstroemeria prefers full sunlight but can be grown in light shade. Mound the soil to promote drainage as you would to grow squash. The look on your best friend’s face when you present this gift will be well worth taking a picture of so you can make fun of the expression in the future. Water well. Alstroemeria Growing Heights. Place the tuberous rootstock on the mound and cover it with earth. Or, you could dig up the roots, brush off the soil, and cut away the foliage. The alternative is to grow Peruvian lily as an annual and replace it with a new and exciting variety, or your all-time favorite, each season. Hi Nan! Ensure you plant in well-draining soil, and avoid overwatering. Be cautious, however, as improperly cutting Alstroemeria plants can diminish blooming and kill the vegetative stems. When your plants are well established, they will begin to “colonize,” forming numerous mounds along a series of fleshy rhizomes. Thanks Tammy! Use the plant tag as … Alstroemeria are much hardier and easier to grow outside than many people realise. Plant when temperatures do not exceed 68° F (20° C) daily. According to Julie Thompson-Adolph in her book Starting & Saving Seeds: Grow the Perfect Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, and Flowers for Your Garden, you can fill a bag or container with seed starting mix, moisten it, and add seeds that have been given plenty of time to fully dry. GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. They typically flower in the summer, though some species can be earlier or later than this. Pink with gold and maroon dots and dashes, ‘Colorita Elaine’ is a dwarf variety that reaches a height of 14 inches at maturity. Then use shears to cut stems to desired lengths. Choices abound when it comes to the vibrant color combinations of Peruvian lily, from 10-inch dwarf varieties to the renowned Ligtu hybrid series with specimens topping out as tall as five feet. The roots of the alstroemeria form tubers, which are a form of storage root. Using a mixture of sand, perlite, and vermiculite is recommended, to promote drainage. Maybe you already enjoy arranging foliage from your yard. Deadhead spent flower stems to keep plants vigorous. In the case of over-watering, the roots may become waterlogged and rot, snails and their kin may move in, and the plant may be unrecoverable. This allows the plants to deal with drought and other stressful periods better than most. When your seedlings are about two inches tall, transplant them outdoors to the garden or a container with good drainage holes, and remember – pots dry out a lot faster than the ground. Thank you in advance. How to grow alstroemerias. An assortment of dwarf varieties along a border, tall specimens to anchor the back of a bed, or maybe both? Contact your local nursery for sources, or search online for sellers of seeds. I live in Buffalo, NY and winters are sometimes harsh. Another possibility is ‘Indian Summer,’ also available at Burpee. Help them along with regular watering and a periodic application of slow-release fertilizer. Three fungus diseases are the most common including: Botrytis blight, Rhizoctonia root rot, and Pythium root rot. Do you have any recommendations to keep it thriving? If you are in a fringe zone, pack some mulch around your plants and they may surprise you by holding up just fine. Mosaic viruses, spread by aphids and thrips can also attack Alstroemeria. Some folks plant seed instead, but often it fails to germinate. Peruvian lily does best in the garden. And in addition to being gorgeous, the deep speckled throats of Alstroemeria attract beneficial pollinators, for a lively backyard habitat. Alstroemeria’s vigorous roots produce “colonies” of plants. It should not be ingested. Easy! So, what will it be? Growing alstroemeria: problem solving. How long will alstroemeria last? With such colourful and exotic flowers there is a temptation to regard them as tender greenhouse plants especially when viewing displays of cut flowers at the Chelsea Flower Show. How to Make Your Own Fresh Cut Flower Food, 11 Things to Do in the Garden Before Winter, How to Identify and Control Caraway Pests and Diseases, Problems with Growing Zucchini: Troubleshooting 11 Potential Issues, 9 of the Best Chard Varieties to Grow at Home, 15 of the Best Canning Tomatoes You Should Grow, How to Grow Beautiful and Productive Fig Trees, Promoting Pollination by Design: How to Attract Pollinators, Yellow, orange, salmon, pink, rose, purple, red, or white, Deer, rabbits, and other wildlife due to toxicity of vegetation, Aphids, spider mites, white flies, Botrytis blight, Rhizoctonia root rot, Pythium root rot, Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) mosaic virus. Spread the thin tubers over a mound of … Allow one to two feet of space per plant. Enrich it with compost and add a little sand if necessary. I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan zone 4. I must keep it alive as it is from my deceased mother and now my father in law. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. During winter dormancy, you’ll find you need to water less frequently. Try the sand and pebble method described above, or mix some pine bark into the soil. Are you ready to buy some Alstroemeria plants for your gardens or containers? All alstroemerias like good living, so give them plenty of organic matter at their roots. A Note on Hybrid Plants: Some hybrids do not produce seed at all. Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. I tried to mulch and cover my Alstroemeria with a tent last winter and it did not make it. Alstroemeria seeds can be bought, or … To ensure the growth of a healthy flower from the start, use a solid base fertilizer when planting the alstroemeria. */. It contains levels of toxicity that may cause illness if ingested, or an allergic reaction with skin contact. A fun-fact about Peruvian Lily is that it naturally produces some stems that are purely vegetative (non-sexual), while others produce blossoms. In some regions, like southern California, many plants have jumped bed and border perimeters to naturalize in the wild. To have one potted for 17 years is amazing! The soil should be of good quality and on the loose side, so it drains well. Here is more about what we do. After about six weeks, you should have at least a few seedlings ready to transplant into containers or your garden. Once picked, Peruvian lily lasts a good two weeks in water. You see, in nature, seed dries out completely and then undergoes a period of wetness, cold, and tumbling about all winter long. With wit and hopefully some wisdom, she shares what she’s learned and is always ready to dig into a new project! Tall varieties may need staking if they are in a particularly windy spot. In addition, the foliage twists in a unique way so that the underside becomes the top surface. If you enjoy the information on this site, then you'll love my book: The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide. It comes in an extensive color palette and has a long vase life. I have a beautiful yellow lily that I would like to divide but I didn’t see anything about dividing plants. Part of the series: Gardening & Pruning Tips. Alstroemeria plants, aka Peruvian lilies, grow from tuberous rhizomes. is one of the most common forms of fungal disease in gardens and is found almost everywhere. Hi Nan, it says the Peruvian Lillies are toxic to digest – but is it toxic to be used in any skin care products? This will jump-start their germination process. If there weren’t so many, you could pot them up, trim the foliage down, and leave them in a cool, dry shed. After planting, water your alstroemerias generously, soaking the soil to settle it around the root ball. Can Peruvian lillies be divided like hostas? If your plants do develop symptoms consistent with a virus, remove and dispose of all affected plants. You can plant alstroemeria bulbs in the spring, early summer, or fall, depending on your climate. Space alstroemeria about 18-24 inches apart. The common names for the half hardy perennial Alstroemeria include Peruvian lily and Lily of the incas and lily of Peru. This fungal disease, also know as gray mold, makes itself known by fluffy, gray or brown spores on the leaves. It has bright yellow and red bicolored blooms, and variegated leaves. Plant rhizomes 8 inches deep in fall, and the plants will emerge the following spring. Man I am a big fan of all the ranges of purple colors. Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrids) also known as Peruvian Lilies, Lily of the Incas, Princess Lilies, Parrot Beak is a tuberous rooted herbaceous perennial. Is there somewhere you can recommend to purchase these shades. Plant them, gradually move indoor containers outside to harden off, and resume regular watering with good drainage at this time. When the plant begins to grow, it should be watered once a week. Wilted leaves and stems, and stunted growth are symptoms of Phythium. ‘Summer Breeze’ is a marvel, with its orange-yellow blossoms and variegated foliage. You should have few disease and pest issues although there are a few to keep an eye out for. However, they don’t like to be disturbed, and you may end up breaking them. ‘Colorita Ariane’ is another favorite. Henkkas / Pixabay. Though you will probably have to cut some of the roots to disentangle them, if you do this carefully and do your best to avoid damaging the root structure significantly, you should be able to restore them to health over the winter. Dig holes and situate the plants so that the soil level on the root ball from the pot you receive is even with that in your bed. To replicate this natural process, you might try the following: As an alternative, you can also provide the necessary period of chilling indoors. Do you know if the plant can be dried out? Hi Pam – What a lovely garden you must have! The exception to this practice is if you’re lucky enough to have flowers in the first year, in which case some folks recommend trimming near the base with shears to prevent uprooting a new plant. GardenersHQ © 2005-2021 Dean Ravenscroft / Thank you for visiting my gardening site; 2021 - 01 - 18 : Privacy Policy. Tubers are brittle, so handle them carefully while planting. An advocate of organic gardening with native plants, she’s always got dirt under her nails and freckles on her nose. Be very careful not to disturb the delicate roots. Available for Kindle (MOBI), iPad (ePub) and as a PDF. Be sure to keep the potting soil moist, but not soggy. Here’s how: Instead of cutting stems at random places with shears, pluck each one at its base, close to the rootstock, to encourage the growth of new shoots. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. Botrytis blight is hard to stop once it gets established. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu and Mike Quinn. Peruvian lilies are often available as tubers, which resemble the tubers of dahlias. Alstroemeria is prized by professionals and amateurs alike because of its striking, azalea-like blossoms. Unpot the plant and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root growth. How to Grow Peruvian Lilies . To prevent this disease, ensure that you plant in well-draining soil. I love these plants. Digging small trenches along the side of flower beds may also help to drain excess water away. Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. Prevent gray mold by spacing your plants to allow good air circulation and by watering around the base of the plants, rather than spraying their leaves and stems. This species will appreciate some staking, and may overwinter as far north as Zone 6. There’s a band of leaves just beneath the blossoms, and then more alternating down the stem. COPYRIGHT © 2021 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. The spores attack the roots of plants by dissolving the outer cortical layer which leads to decay and blackening of the root. Several mosaic viruses are also a threat to your Peruvian lilies. Pick the entire stem at its base, and don’t just remove the top, just in case there’s still some oomph left to make more stems and flowers before season’s end. Though it is most often propagated through root division, with a good deal of patience it can be grown from seed. I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Alstroemeria. Peruvian lilies have fleshy tubers which quickly spread to form clumps in the garden. No new sprigs or flowers. Alstroemeria heights vary from 15 cm – 1.4 meters tall, depending on cultivar, situation and light intensity. It’s been moved from Chula Vista, CA to Banning, CA to now Fallbrook, CA. Plant them 6 inches deep in pots or 12 to 18 inches apart in rows. Alstroemeria grows best when temperatures do not exceed 68° F (20° C) daily and range from 40 and 50° F (4 to 10° C) at night. The only pink cultivar they carry is a compact one, that tops out at about a foot tall. As for drying, you may try suspending stems upside down in a warm, dry place, or pressing them. The blight is most common during warm, humid periods, usually when temperatures are between 70 and 77°F. Each new plant stem that grows shoots straight up from these tuberous roots. Tamp the soil down gently to secure the rootstock in place, water, and tamp down again. Alstroemeria will grow in all kinds of soils as long as they are well-drained. Tuck the plants in and tamp down the soil to remove any air pockets. The Alstroemeria, or Peruvian lily, is a long-lived, free-flowering perennial that originates from South America.They grow from tubers, and produce lots of colourful flowers from June through to the first winter frosts on stems up to 1.2m tall, depending on the variety. Mosaic viruses such as these are not treatable. They have beautiful trumpet shaped flowers and bluey green leaves. Keep an insecticidal soap on hand, just in case, and apply according to the package instructions in the case of a large infestation. Place it in the refrigerator for two to four weeks to replicate outdoor conditions before sprouting indoors, and be sure to keep the potting medium moist throughout. This serves two purposes: the water stays clean longer, and the flowers receive more hydration. These can be divided in the spring- see our guide to dividing perennials for tips! Alstroemeria plants shipped intact respond to this with wilted and yellowing leaves. With a little luck and proper care, they should thrive after repotting since the roots will no longer be fighting for space, or reaching beyond their… Read more ». With a little mulch in winter, you may even have success in adjacent zones. Divide Alstroemeria during spring, summer or fall if an older plant begins to appear woody, overcrowded, or nonproductive. Going forward, use a liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks of the growing season. Alstroemeria requires between two weeks and a year to germinate. Most of the species are perennial, and they grow year-round in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 10. In the hottest and driest districts, plant it in dappled shade. And the best part – the blooming is continuous. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Plant into a well-drained, medium to coarse-textured growing mix. 3. Plant your alstroemeria in full sun or very light shade. If there are stems or shoots, they should be upright and visible above the ground. Grow alstroemeria from rhizomes or plants as seeds can be difficult to grow from. Contact with skin may cause an allergic reaction, so using it in skincare products is not recommended. Originally published on January 18th, 2019. You may also enjoy the following Peruvian plant growing guides: How to grow Apple of Peru and Mirabilis. While this does no long-term harm to the plant, it does take several weeks for the plants to recover. How to plant and grow alstroemeria 1. I have tried bringing them in the house. I have about 40 peruvian lillies(alstroemeria) . A Note of Caution: You should always wear gloves when handling this plant. Remove and dispose of any plant debris. We haven’t tried this particular method for this species ourselves, and time requirements on cold stratification may vary depending on the cultivar. If your alstroemeria develops dry and wiry basal stems, Rhizoctonia is a likely cause. Signs of the tomato spotted wilt virus include irregular lines developing on the leaves coupled with green, yellow, or white spots. How to grow Alstroemeria from seed: Alstroemeria are undoubtedly one of the most ornamental of all late summer flowering plants however they are comparatively expensive to other herbaceous plants and almost always only available as pot grown stock. Alstroemeria plants are generally free of attacks from mammals and other herbivores due to their semi-toxic leaves. The soil should be well drained and humus rich; it is important that the soil is well broken and aired prior to planting. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. In the spring, fertilize with an all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer per package instructions. If growing in a container, use a good-quality potting mix and … Sturdy stems support hefty clusters of vividly-colored petals that are often striated or flecked by contrasting colors. Plant alstroemerias in a sheltered site, in part shade or full sun, any time between May and August in good soil. If there are stems or shoots, they should be upright and visible above the ground. It is part of the Alstroemeriaceae family which is native to … Never let it dry out completely. So, when it is first planted, the soil should remain wet. Water Requirements – This is a plant that likes a lot of water. They do solo in the winter. In most situations, the plant will grow best in partial sun that keeps the air between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. ‘Colorita Claire’ is snowy white dwarf variety that is sure to delight at 14 inches tall. The root stock could then be stored in peat moss for the winter. Uncredited photos via Shutterstock. Fertilize your alstroemeria in early spring with a 5–10–10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer.