Features of planting and caring for alstromeria in the garden

Content of the article:

Description and types of plant
Peculiarities of growing at home
- The main line Finding how to grow alstroemerialily of the Incas. This is a perennial herbaceous plant, which is distinguished by its bright flowering and unusual leaf color. Alstromeria is added to bouquets and most often it is grown in greenhouses in large quantities. This plant requires special conditions of care and maintenance, but at will it can be grown at home.
  Description and types of plants
  
  Before you grow this flower at home, you should familiarize yourself with the description and photo of Alstroemeria, choose the appropriate variety. These are tall plants that can grow up to 80-150 cm or more. All varieties differ in petal color, but have a characteristic leaf shape. Individual leaflets rotate around their axis during growth and can be directed upwards with the bottom plate.
  
  Among the most popular varieties of flowers of alstroemeria can be distinguished:
  
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  1. Alstroemeria golden - a bright yellow flower that naturally grows in Peru. This variety is considered high and can reach 150 cm. Its main feature is that it is able to withstand frosts down to -13 С.
  2. Brazilian Alstroemeria is a tall flower that can grow up to 2 m. Petals of flowers are painted in a bronze or red shade.
  3. Alstroemeria nano is a Peruvian variety. This is a small plant that grows up to 10 cm. Alstroemeria flowers of this species are colored yellow with dark spots.
  4. Alstroemeria blood and flowering is a species that naturally grows in Chile and Peru. It is appreciated for the fact that up to 15 large bright flowers can appear on a single plant. All of them are painted in intense red.
  Read also: Refined lily flowers - a living decoration of the garden
  
  There are other varieties, many of which were artificially bred by breeders. For example, the variety Cosmo is distinguished by the snow-white color of the petals. Virginia is another variety with white flowers, but the edges of their petals are wavy. Beauty varieties( with lilac or purple flowers), Harmony( bronze flowers with black stripes) and Canaria( canary-colored flowers with black patches) can bloom twice per season.
  
  For the cultivation of alstroemeria in the garden, you should choose only those varieties that tolerate frosts.
  
  Features of growing at home
  
  Alstromeria is an exotic plant, so it will need to create the most comfortable conditions. It can be grown in the garden, in a greenhouse or in pots on window sills. With proper planting and care, Alstroemeria will delight with large flowers and will become a bright decoration of the garden.
  
  Reproductive Methods for Alstroemeria
  
  A plant can multiply in two main ways: by seed and by dividing the rhizome. The first method is suitable only for species, since hybrids can lose the properties of the mother plants. You can collect seeds from those flowers that are already growing on the site, but you need to consider that the fruits are very fragile. At the slightest touch, their skin will crack, and the seeds will scatter in all directions from the flower. Before collecting the seeds, the plant should be covered with gauze. Next, the seeds must pass through several stages:
  - stratification — the seeds are sent to the refrigerator for 2–3 months;
  - in late winter and early spring, seeds can be germinated;
  - at the end of stratification they are placed in small containers in the ground to a depth of 1 cm.
  Seeds germinate at a temperature of 18 ᴼC.They will produce seedlings, which can then be transplanted into open ground. When growing alstroemeria flowers from seeds, they can only bloom in the third year after planting.
  
  The second method is reproduction of alstroemeria by dividing rhizomes. It is also suitable for hybrids, since new plants retain all the properties of the parent. To divide the rhizome to fall, at the end of the flowering period. The plant is carefully dug, trying not to damage the roots, and then divide them into 2-3 parts. Each of them must have a fully formed root system. Sections are treated with disinfectants, and the bushes are placed back into the ground.
  
  Cultivation in open ground
  
  Planting alstromeria in open ground and caring for it requires time and attention. The plant needs to create the most comfortable conditions in which it can grow and multiply:
  
  watering frequency - 1 time per week, in drought conditions, it can be watered 2 times in 7 days;
  
  after each watering the land loosened;
  
  fertilizers - compost during planting, then organic or mineral supplements three times a month;
  
  before the beginning of the cold season, the green part of the plant is cut off, and the rhizome is covered with leaves, peat or covering material.
  
  If no further seed collection is planned, it is recommended to cut the buds at the end of flowering. Thus, in their place, new flowers are formed faster.
  
  Greenhouse Cultivation
  
  In a greenhouse, alstromeria is conveniently grown on an industrial scale. Here you can create the most comfortable climate even in the absence of suitable weather conditions. The soil should consist of sand, leaves, peat and humus. It must be constantly watered, but not allowed to stagnate moisture. Fertilizers are applied twice a month, for this they use nitrogen-potassium fertilizers. In winter, alstroemeria in the greenhouse also blooms, but she will need additional coverage. The temperature regime is about 15 degrees in the daytime, and 13 at night. During intensive flowering it is raised to 18-20 degrees.
  
  Read also: Methods of reproduction of room peperomia: seeds, cuttings or dividing the bush
  
  Alstroemeria can grow at home in pots. A hole must be made in the center of the tank to prevent stagnation of moisture. It is not necessary to feed and fertilize the plant. Water it enough every 3 days, and the pot is placed on the most lit place.
  
  Alstromeria is a large number of very different varieties that differ from each other in size, color and shape. It is an exotic flower, but it is possible to grow it in an average climate. Most often it is planted in greenhouses, which allows you to adjust the illumination and temperature. In the open field to get large bright flowers can be difficult due to changes in temperature and soil moisture. At home, potted alstroemeria will feel comfortable, but the beam will choose low varieties.
  
  Growing Alstroemeria in pots - video