Alstroemeria is a rhizome tuberous flower. You can also find names such as "Inca lily" or "Peruvian lily." This family received the name of Baron Klas Alström, who studied under the renowned biologist Karl Linnaeus and was a philanthropist and industrialist (he brought seed of two kinds of this flower to his mentor).
This genus includes about 50-100 species, most of which are cultivated as an ornamental plant for the garden.
Alstroemeria is a very beautiful plant
Origin
Alstroemeria comes from South America. The roots of the plant are similar to a spindle and very juicy. The shoots are straight, linear leaf plates are located in their upper part.
Description
Alstroemeria - a flower that impresses with its beauty. This is a herbaceous plant with huge flowers and powerful stems. Alstroemeria can be annual or perennial. It is necessary to describe the characteristics of this domestic plant.
The meaning of the name in the language of flowers is friendliness, as well as the wish for financial prosperity.
Important! Often people are interested in how to write: astrameria or alstroemeria? The correct second option.
What does alstroemeria look like? A characteristic feature of the flower is resorption, that is, 180 degrees twisted petioles. Thus, the top of the sheet is bottom, which creates an interesting visual effect. The tone of the flowers can be different shades from yellow to red, you can also see lilac, blue alstroemeria. The flower consists of 6 petals placed in two circles. Often, you can see interesting spots on them. The petals themselves may differ from each other.
On the flowers, longitudinal dark strokes are usually visible, which are thicker closer to the edges, thin and small closer to the middle. Nectaries can be found at the base of the inner circle. Stamens are also placed in two circles. Anthers slightly elongated.
Bush shaped alstroemeria
The appearance of flowers is spring. The plant finishes blooming in the summer, although if the requirements for care at home or in the garden are met, the rhizome shrub can please with its flowering in early autumn. In natural conditions, hummingbirds and various insects that pollinate flowers help the plant reproduce.
Instead of a fruit, a plant forms a box in which round seeds develop. When the flower reaches maturity, it bursts, the seeds spread around the world with the help of wind.
Important! The disadvantage of the plant is that in mid-latitudes in winter conditions it can freeze. Therefore, it is advisable in regions with such a climate to breed it in a greenhouse or at home. In open ground, alstroemeria is grown only in the subtropical and tropical zones.
Species and varieties
At the moment, there are many varieties of alstroemeria. Fundamentally, they are no different, except that the coloring.
Alstroemeria white
This variety is very often used in the manufacture of bouquets for the bride. The main characteristics of this species are high growth, resistance to diseases, as well as to sudden changes in temperature.
Alstroemeria pink
As the name implies, the key feature of pink alstroemeria is its corresponding shade.
Alstroemeria red
This type of alstroemeria will appeal to lovers of red flowers.
Bouquet of alstromeries
His stunning appearance will not leave anyone indifferent.
Alstroemeria Violet
A stunning plant with purple flowers, a hint reminiscent of lilac or violet.
Transplant after purchase in open ground
How to grow alstroemeria? Alstroemeria can be grown from seeds, but then flowers can be seen only 1-2 years after planting. Therefore, it is much better to buy alstroemeria seedlings in a store for gardeners. Planting and care in the open field then are much easier.
For your information. The disadvantage of growing with seeds is that the flowers grown may not retain varietal characteristics. For example, a plant with a different shade may appear.
To plant alstroemeria, you need to get seedlings or seeds.
Optimal place
To plant flowers, it is necessary to choose a site in which there is rarely wind, and the sun shines only in the morning or in the evening. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a shaded place whenever possible. The soil must first be loosened. The optimal soil for planting is slightly acidic or neutral. Alstroemeria is a flower that loves clay or sandy soils.
Before landing, check the ground. If it is excessively heavy, then the day before planting alstroemeria, it is necessary to dig it up and make compost, humus or horse peat in order to loosen it.
Step-by-step landing process
Alstroemeria cultivation occurs in a standard way. You must follow this instruction:
Big Alstroemeria Flowers
- Digging landing holes. Between them it is necessary to observe a distance of about half a meter. The depth of the pits should not exceed 0.35 meters, in diameter their size is about half a meter (you can slightly less, but not more). It is important to consider that the root system of the plant must be fully placed in them, including the earthen lump. The distance between the holes and their size depend on how tall the planted variety is.
- A drainage layer is made at the bottom of 1 handful of expanded clay or gravel, a layer of compost 70-80 mm is placed on top.
- Each spine needs to be put in its hole, without clearing from an earthen coma. Landing directly in the peat pot is also possible.
- The pit is filled with fertile soil.
After this, the soil must be tamped, plants - watered.
Alstroemeria breeding
It is possible vegetatively or from seeds. Alstroemeria flowers, the cultivation of which and the first planting in open ground using seeds are carried out according to a certain technology. Vegetative way more convenient.
Rhizome division
This procedure can be carried out every 2-3 years. It is necessary to wait for the moment when the bush ceases to bloom. After that, it is removed from the earth. First, it is necessary to sterilize the knife, which divides the shrub into several parts, each of them must contain part of the rhizome, as well as several strong stems.
Different varieties of alstroemeria
Next, you need to put large pieces in pre-prepared holes. It is important not to forget to treat the slices with charcoal or activated carbon.
Small pieces first sit in pots. Then they should be placed on a windowsill or greenhouse and wait until they grow a little.
This method can be suitable for powerful bushes in which there are strong stems with a well-developed root system.
Seed cultivation
Growing from seeds is a more complicated way. If the seeds are harvested with your own hands from last year's flowers, then the plants grown from them may not retain the characteristics inherent in the variety. Thus, seed propagation is only possible for alstromerias belonging to a particular species.
Note! The advantage of growing a plant from seeds is that you can try to create your own variety. In addition, almost any variety or hybrid can be grown if seed is purchased at a store. Seeds are good for the initial cultivation of alstroemeria.
They can simply be sown in open soil without digging holes. After this, you need to wait 20 days, the first seedlings must sprout. If bulbs are used, they need to be buried to a depth, but close to the surface (no more than 20 centimeters).
Mid Strip Care
In the Middle Strip, alstroemeria is a rather vulnerable plant that cannot withstand frosts for a long time. Therefore, it must be prepared for the winter. There are also a number of care features.
It is necessary to regularly weed the area around alstroemeria, loosen the soil, and also protect from insects and other pests. It is important to mulch in order to prevent soil overheating. Earth temperature of 23 degrees and above can degrade the decorative qualities of the plant.
Watering mode
The plant requires systematic watering. If the summer is rainy, you need to water the plant every week. If drought occurs, you must double the frequency of watering. It is necessary to monitor the degree of soil moisture. It should not be too big or small. If you over-water the plant, you can kill the root system. After watering, the surface must be loosened.
For your information. If the flower is in a vase, you need to change the water every day.
Top dressing
To achieve a saturated color and increase the splendor of the flowering bush, it is necessary to feed the plant with a frequency of 3 times in 4 weeks. Mineral or organic fertilizers are best suited for this. In spring, the plant requires a large amount of nitrogen. During the growth of buds and their opening, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with phosphorus. Also, from time to time it is necessary to feed the soil under the bushes with wood ash.
During flowering
When the plant begins to bloom, it is necessary to pick off the flowers as soon as they begin to fade. In addition, if the bushes become too thick, they must be thinned out. To do this, frankly weak stems are removed. It is important to maintain a temperature of 16 degrees during the active growth phase.
During rest
During dormancy, special care is not required. It is enough to water the plant from time to time so that it does not stop growing.
Winter preparations
When November comes, the plant hides in a place where the cold does not fall.
Thus, alstroemeria is a beautiful plant, but it requires special care. It is better suited for experienced gardeners. People who have little time should look for other flowers.
