Alstroemeria is a bright flower with an interesting history. Alstroemeria flower

Alstroemeria (sometimes found - Alstroemeria) - the flowers are incredibly beautiful, and therefore popular. A bouquet made of alstroemerias, and even in combination with popovnik (large chamomile) and fern stems, looks luxurious and elegant, and its price (which is important) is not at all burdensome for the budget. After all, if outlandish and luxurious flowers need to be imported “from overseas,” then growing alstroemeria in your own flower garden will not be particularly difficult for anyone, even an inexperienced gardener.

Alstroemeria: cultivation and care

to his appearance Alstroemeria is very reminiscent of lilies and daylilies. Although they are often confused, this different flowers. But in terms of growing technology, this flower is very similar to daylily. It can also be grown (propagated) both by seeds and by dividing the mother bush. Of course, the second method is much simpler, not to mention the fact that alstroemeria planted in this way will bloom much earlier. But, alas, it is not always possible to buy a piece of the exact variety and color that you want. In this case, you will have to grow it yourself. Alstroemeria from seeds is not difficult to grow. This is how it is grown, more familiar to gardeners. That is, you can use both seedling and non-seedling methods, right in open land. But growing alstroemeria seedlings is still more effective and reliable. It is best to sow seeds to obtain seedlings in late winter - early spring. The process of growing it is very simple and is no different from most vegetables. It is planted in the flower garden at the same time as, that is, when the weather is consistently warm. In most cases, this period occurs at the end of May - beginning of June.

Over time, when the alstroemeria bush has reached a decent size, you can already take cuttings from it for further propagation. It is preferable to divide alstroemeria bushes after the plant blooms, in the summer. But along with the summer division of bushes, spring division is also practiced - with the beginning of the growing season, and autumn - after the second flowering.

Note! There is no need to strive to get a lot of cuttings from the bush. Especially if the bush is not yet very large. It is better to divide into two or three parts, but so that each has strong, developed roots. Such divisions will take root faster and bloom earlier.

Planting alstroemeria

When choosing a place for planting, you must be guided by the fact that alstroemeria requires a lot of light and good, light soil to bloom. On heavy soils it is unlikely to obtain lush flowering. But there's nothing to worry about. Such soil can be lightened by adding a cultivator. As a ripper, you can use what you have on hand: peat, compost, manure (rotted) and the like.

Keep in mind! Although good lighting for alstroemeria is one of the keys to successful cultivation, overheating of the soil can negatively affect flowering. At soil temperatures above +23 degrees, alstroemeria begins to intensively grow its root system. This can be useful if you want to quickly get a bush suitable for subsequent division. But you can’t wait for flowering. It will help protect the earth from overheating.

Alstroemeria care

Watering

Overmoistening is unacceptable! This is one of the reasons why heavy soil is unsuitable for alstroemeria. Due to excess moisture, the roots of the flower rot, which will inevitably lead to its death. Therefore, if the summer is not dry, then you can do without it altogether. Mulch will help retain the necessary moisture.

Top dressing

Without regular growth, it is unlikely that alstroemeria will bloom luxuriously. And you need to apply fertilizer often. At least three times a month. For fertilizing you can use both mineral and organic fertilizers. From the beginning of the growing season until buds set, potassium fertilizers with a high nitrogen content are preferred. With the appearance of buds and during the flowering period, the nitrogen content in the fertilizer decreases, but the percentage of phosphorus increases. Any of these fertilizers can be easily purchased, but you can also make your own from very well-rotted mullein or bird droppings. It is advisable to add wood ash or ash.

Wintering

In order to protect the flower from winter frosts, it is enough, after trimming the shoots (to about ten centimeters in height), to cover it with any available material: fallen leaves, peat, sawdust, etc. If the winters in your area are very frosty, and especially if the alstroemeria bushes are still very young, then you can do the following c - dig them up and store them in the cellar until the next season. But in most cases, alstroemeria tolerates wintering well even without such radical measures. This especially applies to zones with a temperate climate, not to mention the southern regions, where it can do without any shelter.

Alstroemeria cut

In addition to exquisite beauty, bouquets made from alstroemerias are highly durable. Such a bouquet will delight you for a very long time. It is able to maintain its freshness for up to a month or more. But if you buy a bouquet, then give preference to one with maximum amount unopened but already colored buds. Follow the same guidelines when cutting flowers in your flower garden. Unopened buds will open well in a vase with water. Before placing flowers in a vase, the lower third of the stem must be cleared of leaves.

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Each of us loves something beautiful, something that lifts our spirits and makes us happy. When we're sad, flowers tend to be just such a thing. Every housewife or just a gardener loves a variety of plants and always gives them a place of honor in her garden or home.

In this article you will learn about the very beautiful and mysterious Alstroemeria flower, which is often called the Lily.

Growing Alstroemeria in open ground

The Inca tribe discovered unusual innovations and novelties during the era of its existence. These people were the most talented craftsmen, doctors and excellent builders. At the same time, they very much valued one thing - nature, they believed that it had enormous power. The Peruvian lily occupied the main place in the beliefs of the people. It's magical and beautiful flower Alstroemeria.

Amazing facts about the magical Alstroemeria

For a long period of time, the Alstroemeria flower was called the “flower of the Incas.” The whole tribe considered her magical for her magical properties. In those distant times it was believed that this flower can shelter a person from the enemy.

There are many legends and tales about this magical flower. There are many interesting facts about Alstroemeria:

• Alstroemeria has long been considered a symbol of good luck and wealth.
• The flower looks good in bouquets; it does not have any scent.

This flower became known in Europe only 100 years later, after the Inca Empire collapsed. Residents South Africa also highly respected exotic flower Alstroemeria.

Let's figure out what the rules are for growing Alstroemeria flowers in our time. How to plant and care for it in open ground.

Planting and care

Alstroemeria loves mild climates. But she is not afraid of cold and frost, she can easily survive winter period. So, in those cities where winter with severe frosts constantly reigns, this flower can be planted. But still, at the time of cold weather, it is necessary to cover the rhizome.

How to grow alstroemeria in your given area.

You need to choose a landing site:

• Light;
• Warm;
• With partial manifestation of shadows, to avoid sunburn plants.

The place for growing Alstroemeria must be permeable and well formed drainage system and the presence of sand is mandatory.

The plant loves loose soil, in which it will be easy for the flower to grow and take root.

To plant, you should wait until the snow melts and all the water drains. The most favorable period for planting a flower is spring, but you should definitely wait until the soil has dried thoroughly. The holes are prepared with an interval of 30 centimeters and a depth of 25 centimeters. Organic compost is added to the hole and then Alstroemeria is planted, covering it with soil. After planting, the plant is watered abundantly.

If there is a risk that the roots may freeze, then you should definitely place the plant in a cellar or other room where the temperature reaches 0 degrees with a clod of earth, this way you will save your plant.

The moisture content of the planting soil should be carefully monitored. If the soil is too dry, the plant can quickly die. But you shouldn’t overwater the flower, otherwise the roots will gradually begin to rot. It is recommended to water the plant once a week, but when it’s hot outside, you can switch to twice the regime. It is necessary to ensure that the soil is constantly moist, not allowing it to dry out.

The plant should be fed only in spring and summer.

After your Alstroemeria has already bloomed, you should definitely get rid of dry inflorescences by cutting them off with garden shears.

Reproduction

Alstroemeria can be propagated in several ways:

• Tubers;
• Seeds.

Propagation by tubers should be carried out in spring,

Alstroemeria seeds can be collected yourself.

On winter time they should be placed in a dark place. And in April - May they can be planted in the ground. But the beautiful Alstroemeria will bloom only next year.

Pests

Every plant is subject to attack by insects and other pests, which are not always easy to eliminate.

The main pests of alstroemeria include:

• Thrips;
• Ticks.

Diseases

The most dangerous diseases for Alstroemeria there are root rots and late blight - they arise mainly from too much stagnation of water, so overwatering should be avoided so as not to lead to the death of the plant. It may also appear gray rot- it appears from high humidity and poor air permeability, which is why you need to sterilize the soil before planting the plant.

Alstroemeria is a Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, native to South America. This perennial, which is highly valued for its unusually beautiful flowers that retain their attractiveness when cut for a very long time. That is why the cultivation of alstroemeria is widely used in industrial scale– in a greenhouse, forcing a flower can be done twice in a year.

Alstroemeria is a great opportunity to add exoticism to your garden. It is quite tall (in some varieties the flower stalks reach from 80 to 150 cm in height), the flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences - when alstroemeria blooms, it seems that flowerbed a flock of exotic butterflies descended. Alstroemeria flowers are very reminiscent of lilies, only smaller - the largest reach a diameter of only 6 cm. The color of the flowers is very diverse: pink, yellow, red, soft lilac, almost always with spots on the petals. Another one characteristic feature Alstroemeria petals are longitudinal dark lines that shorten and thinner closer to the center of the flower.

In the language of flowers, a bouquet of alstroemeria is a gentle but unobtrusive compliment - “You are so sweet” or “You are the most lovely” with wishes of good luck, prosperity, wealth and friendship. Alstroemeria flowers are odorless, so they are perfect for people prone to allergies.

Alstroemeria in landscape design

Alstroemeria looks great as a tapeworm in group plantings and in flower beds, while choosing companions for it low growing plants, for example, tenacious or sedum.

Exists a large number of varieties and types of alstroemeria, but the following are best adapted to our conditions:

• Golden - a variety originally from Chile, shoots up to 90 cm in height, flowers are bright orange. The variety is famous for the fact that its flowers are often used to create hair decorations.

• Virginia is a variety with tall, up to 70 cm, strong large shoots on which large white flowers bloom. Flowering begins in June and can last until the first November frosts.
• Alicia is a beautiful two-color flower, the petals are pink and white
• Lemon - a variety with a very large flower of a spectacular, bright lemon color, with a slight greenish tint

• Brazil lily - very tall, shoots can be up to 2 m tall

Alstroemeria, a spectacular tuberous plant with tall stems, crowned with exotic flowers reminiscent of medium-sized lilies, “descended” to European gardens and greenhouses from the Chilean and Peruvian mountains back in the 18th century.

Since then, numerous varieties of “Peruvian lilies” have been developed with flowers of all shades, combinations and transitions of white, pink, red, yellow and purple. In the inner, central part, each such flower contains a wild striped speck, reminiscent of a distant mountain homeland. When cut, they can last from two weeks to a month.

Despite its origin from very distant countries, alstroemeria is able to grow and bloom beautifully in greenhouses, rooms and gardens in the middle zone.

Alstroemeria - cut

"Peruvian lilies" can be very tall, with two-meter stems. Such varieties are actively bred in greenhouses and greenhouses for commercial cutting. Dwarf alstroemerias, which do not grow higher than forty centimeters, are grown in the rooms. The most common indoor varieties.

There are two ways to grow such alstroemeria.

Alstroemeria from seeds

Substrate

To sow alstroemeria in February-March, prepare a soil mixture of two parts leaf soil and one part turf soil. Washed coarse sand and fibrous peat are added as raising agents, which, moreover, slightly acidifies the soil.

The substrate is mixed well, then frozen or washed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. A layer of expanded clay is poured onto the bottom of the planting container with a mandatory drainage hole, and the prepared soil mixture is placed on top. The soil is moistened.

Sowing

The seeds are placed on the surface, slightly pressed into the substrate, sprinkled with a thin layer of soil, and the seeded container is packed in plastic bag and for stratification they are sent to the lower “vegetable” section of the refrigerator for a month.

In this case, the polyethylene covering is opened twice a day, condensation is removed and, if necessary, the soil is moistened. Upon completion of stratification, the bag with the container is placed in a very bright place with a temperature of 20-25ºC.

The crops are regularly ventilated and moderately moistened. With short daylight hours It is useful to organize additional illumination for up to 12 hours a day, as in our homeland in the Andes. Germination needs to wait from ten days to a month. After germination, the polyethylene covering is removed. At the stage of 2-4 true leaves, seedlings dive into separate “teenage” cups with a drainage layer and optimal soil. When developed root system fills this container, the young alstroemeria is transplanted into a larger container. This plant blooms in the second or third year.

Alstroemeria seedlings from tuber parts

An adult plant has a developed tuber with numerous growing points. During the semi-dormant period, after flowering in summer or autumn, such alstroemeria is dug up and a large tuber is dissected with a sharp blade into sections with at least five to ten growing points. The sections are sprinkled with crushed charcoal, the separated plants are planted. Flowering can be expected in the coming summer season.

Alstroemeria (or alstroemeria) is a flower of extraordinary beauty

Attention! It should be borne in mind that all parts of delicate exotic "lilies" contain poisonous juice, which may cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes. They are not grown where there are small children and pets.

Further care for alstroemeria

1. Illumination."Peruvian lily" requires bright, but mostly diffused lighting. It will develop best on southwest and southeast windows. On the south side, mandatory shading will be required. In summer, Alstroemeria benefits from balcony “vacations”.

   

2. Temperature conditions. IN summer time optimal temperature is 20-22ºС. Heat of 28º and above leads to the cessation of flowering. If the soil warms up greatly, tubers develop preferentially to the detriment of stems and flowers. In winter, the temperature is reduced to 13-15ºС to ensure the dormant period necessary for the mass formation of buds.
3. Watering. The worst thing that can happen to a viable alstroemeria is stagnation of moisture in the soil, leading to root and stem rot. Therefore, it should be watered sparingly soft water, preventing the earthen coma from drying out. In winter, when low temperature, watering is limited.

   

4. Air humidity. In a dry atmosphere, evergreen alstroemeria quickly sheds its leaves and buds. In order not to give the plant a reason for such untimely leaf fall, it needs to be sprayed regularly, especially in the summer, making sure that moisture does not fall on the delicate petals. It is also useful to place the container with the “Peruvian lily” on a tray with wet pebbles or expanded clay.

   

5. Feeding. During the period of intensive growth, and especially flowering, the “Peruvian lily” needs regular feeding. The very first, early spring, is carried out with a mineral complex balanced in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Subsequently, the blooming alstroemeria is fed weekly with a composition in which the phosphorus and potassium components predominate. In the autumn-winter season, feeding is stopped.
6. Trimming. To stimulate growth and flowering, regularly remove dried stems and wilted flowers, not forgetting the toxicity of the juice of “Peruvian lilies”.

   

7. Timely transfers. Young, fast developing plants annual replanting is required. Mature alstroemerias with powerful tubers are replanted with the same frequency, combining this operation with dividing the bush.

   

   

8. Prevention and treatment of diseases. Too dense growth combined with excess moisture creates conditions for alstroemeria to be affected by gray rot. As preventative measure the optimal watering regime is observed, and densely overgrown bushes are divided and planted. Putrefactive processes are stopped by treatment with foundationazole and copper preparations.

   

9. Pest Elimination. IN room conditions they can settle on alstroemerias spider mites and thrips. These insects are destroyed once and for all by systemic insecticides - karbofos, actara, actellik.

   

Alstroemeria in open ground

IN middle lane alstroemeria often decorates summer areas annual lush flowering. Tall varieties are suitable for open ground, of which a great variety have been bred: crimson with a yellow speckled pharynx “Mozart”, golden “Eldorado”, pink “Primadonna”, white “Albatross”, dark purple “Indigo” and dozens of others that embody in the flower the most whimsical combinations of exquisite shades.

To plant alstroemeria seedlings on your site, they can be obtained from seeds in the same way that is used for indoor varieties– February sowing in loose, slightly acidic soil, stratification for a month, germination in good light, temperature 20-25ºC and high humidity, picking at the stage of 2-4 true leaves. Sowing is also used immediately in open ground in April. Such seedlings will bloom no earlier than in the third year. In addition, in April-May, a mature tuber or part of it, separated from the mother plant, can be planted on the site.

The place where alstroemeria will grow should be well lit, but inaccessible to the scorching rays of the midday sun.

Important! Stagnation of moisture and high groundwater levels are unacceptable.

Soil for planting“Peruvian lilies” are prepared in advance. She must be:

• nutritious. For this purpose, compost is added;
• slightly sour. Provided with high-moor peat or coniferous tree bark;
• loose, with good water and breathability. If necessary, sawdust or chopped straw is added.

Good results are obtained by planting tubers in meter-long ridges up to 20 centimeters high. They are planted at intervals of 40 to 60 centimeters, deepened to 15 cm. A horizontal coarse mesh is installed above the ridge to support tall stems with weighty flowers.

Further planting care includes:

• weekly watering with soft water;
• systematic weeding and loosening.
• complex feeding once a week during the flowering period.
• soil acidification with peat mulching. This operation will also prevent overheating of the tuber, during which alstroemeria stops growing and flowering.

In autumn, the stems are cut to a height of 7-8 centimeters and the plant is covered with spruce branches, bark and dry leaves. In the middle zone, such shelter is usually sufficient for resistant varieties. To completely insure alstroemeria from freezing, its tubers are dug up in mid-October, dried and stored until spring in the same conditions as dahlias - in a basement or cellar, at low but above-zero temperatures.

The basic conditions for the growth and flowering of alstroemeria are carefully observed in greenhouse culture:

• daylight hours are no shorter than 12 hours;
• temperature not lower than 16 and not higher than 20ºС;
• the soil is fertile, loose, slightly acidic. It is convenient to plant plants in separate containers with a diameter of 25 cm;
• watering with soft water regularly, but moderately;
• increased air humidity;
• support net for tall stems with powerful flowers.

Forcing after a cool dormant period allows you to get blooming “lilies” almost all year round.

Growing alstroemeria as a business

Having mastered the cultivation of “Peruvian lilies”, you can extract a certain income from this process:

• sell seeds. Alstroemeria seed material ripens even in the open ground of the middle zone, and its germination persists for 3-4 years. The Internet will help you sell your own seeds;
• trade seedlings or tubers. A more troublesome task associated with packaging, mailing and limited only to the spring season. At the same time, it will bring greater profit than selling seeds;
• grow alstroemeria for cutting. The most profitable method that requires initial stages considerable investment. However, these costs pay off in a maximum of two years, and in the future bring constant tangible profits.

Alstroemeria, despite its exotic origin and unusual appearance, is not one of the particularly whimsical crops. Its cultivation is successfully mastered by both amateur flower growers and owners of profitable greenhouses.

Video - Alstroemeria: growing from seeds and tubers

Vide - Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria flowers very similar to lilies, they are the same large, bright, with silky petals with a pattern of specks and long stamens protruding from the center. Many people call alstroemeria flowers “lilies of the Incas”, since this plant comes from South America, the mountainous regions of Peru and Chile. IN flower shops cut alstroemeria flowers are sold, they are often used to make wedding bouquets, but in gardens or as houseplants Alstroemeria flowers are rarely grown due to lack of knowledge about caring for this plant.

Total genus Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria) includes about 50 plant species. Alstroemeria has roots with thickenings in the form of tubers; erect flexible stems, covered with dark green lanceolate leaves, grow from the buds on them. A loose inflorescence is formed on the upper part of each shoot, which can bear from 4 to 15 flowers. Alstroemeria flowers, depending on the type and variety, can be white, yellow, orange, pink, or purple. Some flowers have 2-3 petals of a different shade and a pattern of spots or strokes.

Alstroemeria flowers funnel-shaped, reaching 5-7 cm in diameter. Alstroemeria stems are cut into bouquets when the first buds begin to bloom. Alstroemeria flowers remain in water for up to 3 weeks, and all formed buds bloom. Professionals grow cut alstroemeria in greenhouses or conservatories for sale.

These beautiful exotic flowers cannot overwinter in the middle zone, so their rhizomes are planted in the garden in the spring, like dahlias. In the fall, the rhizome is dug up and transplanted into a container, stored all winter in a cellar or cool place at a temperature of about 5 degrees Celsius.

For growing in the garden they use resistant and unpretentious species alstroemeria. In open ground, alstroemeria blooms at the end of June and continues to bloom until mid-September without interruption.

Alstroemeria orange-red (A.aurantiaca) has distinctive yellow-orange flowers with two upper petals in a red hue.

Alstroemeria chilean (A.chilersis) unpretentious and stable in our climate with bright pink flowers with a yellow spot.

For wedding bouquets use Alstroemeria peregrina flowers (A.pelegrina), which can be colored white, pink, lilac or cream, and the two upper petals are distinguished by a pattern of dark red strokes and dots.

The height of the plant depends on the variety. Flowers on tall stems over 1 meter in length are intended for cutting. For growing in the garden or whatever potted plants They use low plants, they form a compact lush bush and look neat in mixed flower beds or in pots.

Alstroemeria planting and care

In specialized gardening stores you can buy pieces of alstroemeria rhizomes for planting. If you bought planting material in the spring, then plant it in open ground when warm weather. Having bought alstroemeria for planting at the end of summer or autumn, it is better to plant it in a pot and grow it in winter as an indoor flower.

Alstroemeria is demanding on the soil and place of growth. To plant alstroemeria, it is better to choose a well-lit place, but not in the sun. On the north side you need protection from cold winds - a wall or fence.

Alstroemeria loves loose, breathable and well-drained soil. If the soil in the garden is heavy, you should dig landing hole about 40 cm deep and pour drainage from gravel, expanded clay or broken brick at the bottom. Mix the excavated soil with peat, sand and humus and cover the roots on top. First, pour a cushion of earthen mixture onto the drainage layer, place the rhizome at a depth of 10 cm and cover it with soil to the level of the soil surface.

Watering alstroemeria it is necessary abundantly, but after the soil dries out. Constant waterlogging of the soil leads to rotting of the roots.

For active growth and abundant flowering Alstroemeria needs to be fed complex fertilizer 2-3 times a month. Alstroemeria reacts positively to the application of fertilizer and grows quickly over the summer, forming a lush bush of shoots, and at the top of each - an inflorescence with buds.

Alstroemeria is a plant native to tropical South America, so leaving it in the open ground for the winter is risky. To preserve in winter, the rhizome is dug up, transplanted into a container and transferred to the basement or other cool place. If winters in your region are not frosty, then alstroemeria will overwinter by mulching the rhizome on top with straw, dry leaves, peat or humus. To prevent the roots of the plant from getting wet in wet weather in autumn or spring, when the soil dries out in late autumn, lay a film or other waterproof material on top.

Alstroemeria reproduces It is good to divide the rhizome into parts; the plant quickly grows in breadth, so at the end of the season you will receive enough planting material. The rhizome is dug up, divided into parts, leaving 10-15 eyes on each, and planted in different places.

Alstroemeria flowers can be grown from seeds. Sowing is carried out in March in a small seed box with loose soil. Then, as the seedlings grow, they dive into pots, and in the summer they can be planted in open ground. Young plants do not tolerate heat well, so they should not be placed on a sunny windowsill or planted on open place under the hot summer sun.