Distinctive characteristics, recommendations for growing alstroemeria in the garden, how to propagate the Peruvian lily, the fight against possible diseases and pests, curious notes, types. Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria) belongs to the genus of plants that come from South American territories, is included in the Alstroemeriaceae family, which combine beautifully flowering flora specimens with one share in the embryo. The number of varieties, calculated by scientists, today reaches more than a hundred units.
| Family name | Alstroemeria |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Growth features | Herbaceous |
| Reproduction | Seed and vegetative (division of the rhizome) |
| Landing period in open ground | April May |
| Disembarkation scheme | 50 cm by 50 cm |
| Substrate | Any nutritious loose soil with good drainage properties |
| Illumination | Bright lighting or partial shade |
| Moisture indicators | Moderate |
| Special Requirements | Unpretentious |
| Plant height | 0.6-1 m |
| Color of flowers | All shades of orange, lilac, red, pink or snow-white |
| Type of flowers, inflorescences | Racemose or umbellate |
| Flowering time | June August |
| Decorative time | Spring-summer |
| Place of application | Flowerbeds and flowerpots, rabatki and the second row of mixborders |
| USDA zone | 4, 5, 6 |
The genus got its name thanks to the taxonomy of flora and fauna Karl Linnaeus. The scientist thus decided to perpetuate the Swedish botanist Baron Klas Alstremer (1736-1794). This prominent was actively his student, was engaged in patronage and industrial activities. It was this scientist who brought Linnaeus the seeds of two varieties of Alstroemeria from the Spanish lands, where at that time the plant was introduced into cultivation. You can hear among florists how this unusual flower is called "Peruvian lily" or "lily of the Incas".
All alstroemeria have not only a rhizome, but also a tuber. These root formations are quite juicy, resembling a spindle with a thickness of about 1 cm. The length of the root processes, through which nutrients are absorbed from the soil and moisture, are 10-15 cm. The height of the stems can vary in the range of 0.6-1 m. The sheet plates are arranged alternately, their shape is solid, there is a bend. The outlines of the leaves are linear, subulate, and in some species they are spatulate-oblong or obovate. Usually most of them grow at the top of the stem.
Plants of this genus are distinguished by a feature called resupation - when the leaf petioles are twisted by 180 degrees and then the lower part of the leaf "looks" upwards, but the upper part, of course, is the opposite. The leaves are painted in different saturated shades of green color scheme.
At the top of the flexible stems of alstroemeria, buds are formed, which are collected in not too compacted racemose or umbrella-shaped inflorescences. The corolla has three pairs of petals arranged in three units in two rows. The color of the petals is very diverse, there are tones of orange, lilac, red or pink, but it happens that their color is snow-white. Often, the surface of the petals is decorated with spots and strokes of a bright yellow tone. In the inflorescence there can be from 2 to 14 flowers, while their diameter varies within 5–8 cm. The shape of the petals can be lanceolate or spatulate, there is a narrowing at the base. The flowering process takes place from late spring throughout the summer.
Interestingly, these spectacular flowers are pollinated like insects (bees) or hummingbirds do it in their homeland. But if there are no "helpers" the plant will be perfectly pollinated by the wind. After that, the fruits ripen, taking the form of a box. When it is fully ripe, it begins to open from the very top to the bottom, opening up access to numerous seeds. The seed is spherical.
Recommendations for growing alstroemeria: planting and care in the garden
- Choosing a landing site. This factor is one of the most important in the cultivation of the Peruvian lily and affects the flowering process. The place for the flower bed is chosen well-lit, but so that the direct rays of the sun are diffused. Better east or west orientation. Since the stems of young Inca lilies are fragile, it should be that the planting site is protected from draft and wind. And it is also necessary, when planting, to think about a support to which in the future it will be possible to fix the shoots of those varieties that differ in height. If you are in northern latitudes, then such plants are usually cultivated only in greenhouses or greenhouses.
- Soil selection. The substrate for planting alstroemeria should be light with excellent drainage qualities. If it is heavy, it may become waterlogged, which will lead to the onset of putrefactive processes at the root system. But even if this does not happen, then Alstroemeria grows poorly in such a place, and it will not bloom at all. If, nevertheless, there is no way out and the soil on the site is heavy, then it is prepared before planting. It is recommended to add high-moor peat to the composition, which will serve as a baking powder, rotted manure, straw chaff or compost from foliage are also suitable. The acidity indicators of the soil mixture should be in the range of pH 5, 5–6, 5. When these parameters exceed pH 7, the growers use phosphoric acid to fertilize the soil composition.
- Growing temperature. Since the root system of Alstroemeria often suffers from overheating, it is necessary to mulch with peat or sawdust for protection after planting. This mainly concerns the time when the heat indicators will be higher than 23-25 degrees. During this period, the roots of the Peruvian lily begin to grow actively, while damaging the development of buds.
- Water alstroemeria it is necessary often, since the plant is a very big lover of moisture. But here it is important to choose a mode in which the substrate will not be overdried, but not flooded either. Moistening is performed moderately, but regularly, while so that the soil does not dry out quickly, it is recommended to constantly loosen and mulch.
- Fertilizer. From the beginning of the growing season, Alstroemeria needs additional feeding. It is necessary to carry out such an operation every 7-10 days. Before buds are formed, complete mineral complexes with a high potassium content are needed. When flowers begin to appear, and before flowering ends, preparations with a small amount of nitrogen are recommended, intended for flowering plants. Peruvian lily responds well to organics, but only in small doses.
- Pruning. Usually, the number of buds on the stems can reach 80–130, and if they are not removed, the size of the flowers will be small.
- Tips for wintering alstroemeria. Since the plant nevertheless comes from lands of a warm climate for the winter period, it is better to organize the shelter of its bushes. Although at the moment there are a large number of hybrid varieties that do an excellent job of lowering the heat to 25 degrees below zero. As soon as autumn comes, it is recommended to stop watering and with the onset of the first frost, then the entire part of the bushes growing above the soil surface is cut off. Then the flowerbed with Alstroemeria should be covered with spruce branches, fallen leaves or dried straw. On top of this, everything is covered with plastic wrap or a special covering material (for example, agrofibre), on which a small layer of soil, mulch or straw is poured. Thus, in this place, the substrate will be protected from freezing. The older the Inca lily bush becomes, the easier it tolerates the winter period. If you live in the southern regions, then alstroemeria can perfectly winter in the open ground without any shelter, but for residents of the northern regions, it is recommended that with the arrival of autumn, still dig up tubers for storage. In order to have healthy planting material in the spring, tubers must be stored in the same way as dahlias. At the same time, an earthen lump is slightly dried from the excavated material, and then it is placed in boxes, shifting with paper. The storage space can be a cellar or basement.
- Application of Alstroemeria. Since the flowers of this Peruvian lily keep on the stems for quite a long time, the plant has long been loved by florists and is used for cutting. In a vase, a bouquet of alstroemeria flowers can last up to 14 days. This highly decorative plant has recently become quite popular among gardeners and varieties with the most unusual color are planted in beddings. If there is a mixborder, then because of their tall shoots, it is customary to place such lilies in the second row. The bright color of the inflorescences of the planting of shrubs with gray foliage is well set off. They can be, for example, catnip or Karyopteris Kladonsky. Also, dark conifers will be excellent "neighbors" of the Inca lily. Landscape designers recommend complementing such compositions with knifofia, brilliant rudbeckia, or planting a quadrangular evening primrose next to it.
How to propagate the Peruvian lily?
To get a new Alstroemeria shrub, it is recommended to sow seeds or split an overgrown shrub.
Seed material is stratified before planting. The seeds should be placed in a cold and humid environment for about 30 days. So they are wrapped in moistened gauze or mixed with moist soil, and then put on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, or kept on the balcony. Then, at the end of April, you can sow them in seedling boxes filled with deciduous-sod substrate or peat-sand mixture. After planting, it is recommended that the soil is moistened abundantly and it is important to ensure that it does not dry out, but also is not flooded. After 15–20 days, the first shoots can be seen. When the threat of morning frost has passed, young alstroemeria can be planted in open ground. When planting, nutrients are added to the soil mixture, and such plants can only be expected to bloom next year.
Since the Peruvian lily tends to grow rapidly, it is divided with the arrival of spring. Usually, when dividing, 2-3 parts are obtained, which should be planted, adhering to the scheme - 50 cm by 50 cm. It is important that there are several dormant buds and a part of the root on the divide. Planting depth does not change. If, upon examination, weak stems are found, then they must be broken off. This will allow the rhizome to adapt and take root faster. The planted plants are thoroughly moisturized and mulched.
The parts that have turned out may not bloom at all in the year of planting, but if the buds are formed, then their number will be small.
Fight against possible diseases and pests of alstroemeria
The plant is not too problematic compared to other horticultural crops. Troubles happen only with too waterlogged soil. When there is a very long rainfall, the Inca lily can suffer from gray rot (botrytis). If such signs are detected on Alstroemeria, it is recommended to irrigate its rhizomes with a fungicide solution, and also to process bushes with it.
Of the pests, alstroemeria is attacked by spider mites, leaf-gnawing caterpillars, thrips, various beetles and slugs. In this case, spraying with insecticidal and acaricidal preparations of a wide spectrum of action is necessary.
Curious notes about alstroemeria, photo
The cultivation of the Peruvian lily is also of practical importance, since starch can be successfully extracted from the roots of the plant. It is actively used in traditional medicine, and high quality glue is also prepared on its basis. These varieties have orange colors. The plant is suitable for cutting, as it can stand for a long time in a vase without fading.
Interestingly, in the early 1900s of the last century, breeding work was carried out in the UK, and scientists bred a species, the foliage and stems of which, immediately after the flowers wither, begin to die off. The variety is called Alstroemeria ligtu.
The largest number of alstroemeria species can be found in the regions of the longest mountain range - the Andes. There are species common in tropical forests, as well as in the Atacama desert regions, which are located in Chile and on the highland Bolivian and Peruvian plateaus.
Sometimes you can hear the opinion that this plant was obtained by crossing a lily and an orchid and is a hybrid of them, but recent studies have proven that this is not the case.
Among today's breeding developments, there are Alstroemeria hybrids with a wide corolla of flowers, as well as those with bright spotting on the leaf blades.
Types of alstroemeria
- Alstroemeria orange (Alstroemeria aurantiaca D. Don) found under the name Alstroemeria Peruvian or Peruvian lily. It differs in leaf plates, which have a bluish color on the back. When blooming, corollas with petals of a golden-orange color bloom. In the inflorescence, there are up to 30 buds. The flowering process takes place from the beginning of summer days to September. The plant is distinguished by good frost resistance and can survive our winters perfectly.
- Alstroemeria gold (Alstroemeria aurea) has a bright color of petals. So they all have an orange-yellow golden color scheme, but the two upper petals have a more delicate shade of yellow, while their surface is speckled with crimson strokes. The shape of these leaves is narrowed, lanceolate, the rest of the petals in the flower are oval-elongated with a narrower base. Long filaments of a dark purple hue emerge from the corolla. With the help of this variety, at the beginning of the 20th century, English breeders bred a group of hybrids called "Ligtu", after flowering, such representatives of the flora lose their aboveground part, as it dies off. The color of the petals can be deep orange, but the two upper ones are decorated with longitudinal stripes of a darker color.
- Small alstroemeria (Alstroemeria nana). The area of growth falls on the territory of Peru. The size of the plant is miniature, the stems rarely exceed 10 cm in height. But at the same time, they are completely covered with a large number of buds, in which the petals have a bright yellow color, with black dashes and spots.
- Alstroemeria pulchella differs in umbellate inflorescences, which collect from 3 to 8 buds. The color of the flowers can vary from red to reddish-purple, often with a pattern of brown spots.
- Alstroemeria Brazilian (Alstroemeria caryophyllacea) a fairly tall variety, the shoots of which reach a height of 2 meters. It is often referred to as the Brazilian lily. The color of the petals is bright red, but the top two have a yellow tint from the middle part, and it has a pattern of black, rarely placed strokes. Red filaments topped with yellow anthers.
- Pretty Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria psittacina). The size of the stems rarely exceeds 60 cm, they differ in branching. Tuberous roots. The corolla is narrowed, and the petals on the outside are distinguished by a bright pink color, and only at the top does it brighten, decoratively emphasizing the edge. The inner part of the flower is pale pink in color, and the entire surface of the petals is covered with dashes of dark color.
