Alstroemeria flower: cultivation and care (photo). Alstroemeria or Peruvian lily on your site

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

In its 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 division. 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 seedlings and seedless method, 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 sections from it for further reproduction. 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 get lush flowering It's unlikely to succeed. 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 one of the pledges successful cultivation, overheating 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 areas with temperate climate, not to mention the southern regions, where she 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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Alstroemeria- this is a delightful “lily of the Incas” and exotic perennial, which can be cultivated indoors.

The beautiful alstroemeria is not at all difficult to grow from seeds, and even a novice gardener can care for it.

Alstroemeria in Latin it is called Alstroemeria, and is also popularly called the “Peruvian lily”. South America is considered the birthplace of this spectacular plant.

When grown from seeds Alstroemeria blooms for the first time late spring or in early summer in the second or third year of life. Flowering lasts throughout the summer.

Another dignity These graceful lilies - when cut, they retain an attractive appearance for up to two weeks.

Alstroemeria flowers decorated with bright specks and stripes and resemble exotic butterflies that are about to take flight and fly to distant lands. On each peduncle there are 10 or 15 flowers with a diameter of about 6 cm, which have no aroma.

Flower coloring page Alstroemeria can be white, yellow, orange, red, burgundy, soft lilac, pink, crimson or violet. The narrow leaves of alstroemeria complement the beauty of the plant, and the bush itself reaches a height of 1.5 meters.

Alstroemeria can decorate a room, garden or balcony. However, it should be remembered that the juice of this plant poisonous. It is very important to keep alstroemeria out of the reach of children and pets. Let's take a closer look at the answer to the question: how can you grow alstroemeria?

Growing alstroemeria from seeds

How to grow alstroemeria from seeds so that it pleases you with its future flowering? There are two strategies for growing alstroemeria from seeds: immediately sowing them in priming in April-May or seedlings in February or March.

If you plant seeds immediately into a pot with soil, you will need to fuss less with the seedlings, but they will bloom only in the third year of life. And if you have patience and grow seedlings, you can expect alstroemeria to bloom in the second year.

1. To grow seedlings, you need to prepare the soil, 2 parts of which will be leaf soil, and 1 part is turf. You can add perlite or clean sand to the mixture to loosen it.
2. The soil must be thoroughly mixed and frozen in the cold or spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
3. Next you need to take a container with drainage holes in the bottom, pour a layer of expanded clay 2 or 3 cm high there, and then fill the container with earth, not reaching a few centimeters to the edge.
4. You should lightly compact the soil and distribute the seeds on its surface, pressing them slightly into the ground and sprinkling soil on top.
5. Then you need to place the container with the seedlings in a bag and send them to the refrigerator, on the vegetable shelf for cold scarification. The seeds must spend a whole month there at a temperature of +2 to +5 °C.
6. Every day you need to ventilate the seeds 2 times a day, remove condensation from the bag and moderately moisten the soil.
7. When the seeds are removed from the cold and placed on sunny place with temperatures ranging from +20 to +25 °C, you can expect them to germinate in 10 or 20 days, and possibly even a month. It is very important all this time to ventilate the seeds 2 times a day for an hour and lightly moisten the soil as it dries.
8. When the alstroemeria has grown from 2 to 4 true leaves after the cotyledon leaves, you need to pick it, that is, you need to plant the plants. Each seedling should receive a separate “housing” - a glass with a volume of 100 - 200 ml with drainage holes, expanded clay and soil for adult plants.
9. When root system will fill the entire glass, you can transplant the seedling into a flowerpot for an adult plant.

Choosing a location and lighting

Alstroemeria is very loves the light. In summer, the south window will need shading, but in winter there is no need to worry sunburn. Alstroemeria requires about 14 hours of daylight for abundant flowering.

In the summer, alstroemeria will feel great with room temperature, and in winter - from +8 or +15 °C. Summer temperature above +28 °C will cause growth to stop and buds to drop. If it's too warm in winter, flower buds will not be able to develop and the plant will not bloom in summer.

Watering and humidity

In spring and summer water alstroemeria should be grown sparingly, waiting for the soil to dry out between waterings. in winter Watering must be limited - the cooler the content, the less moisture the plant requires.

Waterlogging and drought are equally dangerous for alstroemeria. It is necessary to spray alstroemeria only in hot weather.

remember, that water for irrigation and spraying should be soft and room temperature.

Bloom

For prevention diseases, you need to remove all wilted flowers and dried leaves, as well as old stems, leaving them 10 cm long. When the plant stops blooming, you need to cut its shoots to a height of 7 cm above the ground.

Transfer

Landing alstroemeria and caring for it requires an annual transplant in the spring.

For a very powerful and rapidly developing root system of the plant, a large pot with a deep bottom is required. Quarter pot should occupy drainage in the form of pebbles or expanded clay.

Perfect soil mixture for adult alstroemeria it is:

• 2 shares of leaf soil;
• 1 share of humus soil;
• 1 share of peat land;
• 1 share of pine bark;
• 1 share of perlite or vermiculite.

You can also use ready-made soil for azaleas.

Top dressing

Recommended several times a year feed plant with mineral fertilizer. During flowering, it is useful to pamper alstroemeria by watering it with an ash solution. It is prepared like this: 1 tablespoon of ash per 3 liters of water.

Reproduction

Alstroemeria is capable multiply not only by seeds, but also by dividing the rhizome or bush.

Diseases and pests

Due to its susceptibility to many diseases, alstroemeria needs preventive treatment “Fundazol” several times a year.

Of the pests, alstroemeria can be favored by the following representatives:,.

As we see, alstroemeria- it's not too much capricious plant, which can be grown indoors.

Even a novice gardener can grow alstroemeria from seeds, and caring for it will not be difficult. You just need to treat the plant with love and attention - and alstroemeria will answer you with a scattering of wonderful “Peruvian lilies”, bringing wealth and happiness to your home.

And for the most curious, we invite you to watch a video about alstroemeria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZa7HiIxFtU

many lovers beautiful plants Alstroemeria flowers attract attention: their description includes more than 150 varieties, among which there are representatives of purple, orange, white, yellow, pink and other tones. This type of plant can be found not only on their native land — South America, but also in Chile, Bolivia and Peru. The flower got its name in 1762, thanks to the Swedish physician-naturalist Carl Linnaeus. It was he who suggested naming the plant after his student, who was interested in botany, Baron Claes Alströmer.

How to grow a plant on the site?

Today, growing alstroemeria flowers is accessible even to beginners in gardening. This plant can be propagated either by dividing the bush or by seed planting. For many gardeners, it is much easier to plant a ready-made cutting than to use alstroemeria seeds, because it is much simpler.

Those who choose the second option for propagating a flower should remember that the bush will not bloom immediately from seeds; about two to three years must pass before alstroemeria will delight you with its flowering.

How to plant alstroemeria?

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Many gardeners are attracted to alstroemeria flowers: planting and caring for them requires some knowledge. When choosing a method of growing from seeds, gardeners are advised to first grow seedlings. However, like asters, these flowers can be immediately planted in the ground under open air. The best time for seedlings is late February-early March. Its cultivation does not present any special requirements and skills. At the end of May it is planted in the garden.

It is better to propagate the plant by dividing the bush in the summer, after the end of the flowering period. Some gardeners prefer to divide the bushes even after flowering. autumn time or on spring days, when the growing season begins. The bush requires careful and careful handling. It is not recommended to divide small bushes into many parts. The main condition for this is the presence of a strong and well-developed root system. Otherwise, the plant will take a very long time to prepare for flowering.

Choosing a suitable location

This moment is one of the most important when planting, because the flowering of a given species will depend on the location. Light areas with good and light soil are considered the most suitable. On heavy soils, the flower takes root very difficult. Experts advise adding a cultivator to the soil before growing alstroemeria to make it easier. Rotted manure or leaf compost and high-moor peat are suitable for this purpose.

Plant care

Many gardeners find caring for alstroemeria flowers too difficult. However, if you look into this issue, it turns out that there is nothing complicated here.

The plant does not tolerate waterlogged soil, so you need to be extremely careful with the frequency of watering. Excess moisture can cause root rot. It is especially important to monitor watering for those whose flowers grow in heavy soil.

Features of feeding alstroemeria flowers

Having studied in books what alstroemeria loves: a description of the flower and tips on proper care, every gardener knows that the plant needs feeding. It is best to do this at least three times a month. Before the buds appear, use mineral fertilizers, which contain increased amounts of potassium. After the start of the budding period and during flowering, it is recommended to switch to a fertilizer with a minimum nitrogen content. Also, wild alstroemeria orchid can be fed with a small amount of organic matter. When using mullein or bird droppings, experts recommend making sure that the fertilizer is thoroughly rotted.

Wintering alstroemeria plants

Adult flowers can easily endure winters in temperate latitudes, as well as southern countries, and young bushes can be dug up for the winter, similar to caring for chrysanthemums or dahlias.

Adult alstroemeria can be covered with spruce branches. Before this, all shoots must be trimmed so that about seven to eight centimeters remain above the ground. It is also recommended to use leaves and sawdust for shelter.

Cutting alstroemeria plant

Most often, these colorful plants are grown for sale. Their value lies in their special durability. Many flower lovers love the way alstroemeria looks in a vase. Among other flowers in the bouquet, it looks very elegant and adds a touch of originality to any floral arrangement. In cut form, with proper care, this plant can last up to a month. Experts advise cutting flowers when color appears on the buds. Then the flower in the bouquet will last much longer and will delight you with its fresh look and beauty. When cutting, it is important to remove lower leaves one third of the stem. Check out the article: .

Some flowers seem to be the living embodiment of fairy-tale images, instantly sinking into the enchanting soul tender beauty, fragility and grace. This is the favorite of florists - alstroemeria, the cultivation of which is possible not only in specialized greenhouses, but also in open ground. Caring for this bright miniature lily, despite its exotic nature, will not take much time; even novice gardeners can handle it.

Site preparation

Alstroemeria is quite unpretentious. If you follow a few simple recommendations, it will definitely please the eye with luxurious blooms. The most important stage is planting the plant. Successful breeding of Peruvian lilies is directly related to choice right place location on the site. It should be a well-lit, but not too sunny and hot area with loose soil that freely allows air and moisture to pass through. It is optimal if the soil contains an admixture of sand.

Planting alstroemeria on heavy, clay soils has a detrimental effect on its development: the flowers wither, grow frail and weakened and almost do not form buds, even despite careful care. Experienced gardeners In this case, it is advised to first prepare the soil and create a good drainage system. You can use any baking powder of natural origin for this, for example:

• high peat;
• rotted manure;
• leaf compost.

Slightly acidic or neutral soils (with a pH value of 5.5 to 6.5) are ideal for alstroemeria.

If the soil in the area is alkaline (pH is more than 7), then planting Peruvian lilies in it is possible, but to obtain flowering plants you will have to fertilize it with phosphoric acid.

Subtleties of landing

In order for young alstroemerias to quickly take root in open ground, they are planted in dry soil, choosing a clear sunny day for the procedure. A little organic fertilizer is added to the hole. There is no need to deepen the seedlings; it is best to bury them at the same level as the seedlings were when home growing in a container. If bulbs are used, they are buried to a depth of no more than 20 cm.

Alstroemeria bushes grow quite strongly and branch well, so they will need space for uniform development. Holes in the same row are made at a distance of 30–40 cm from each other. Between the rows leave 60 to 20 cm of free space, focusing on the size of the young bushes and the strength of their growth.

Count on abundant flowering Alstroemeria can only be grown when the soil is mulched. For this procedure, sheet compost is most often used; peat can also be used. The composition is scattered generously around the seedlings, avoiding contact with their tops. The mulch layer should be thick and at least 7.5 cm. This is necessary to protect the plant’s root system from heat. A peculiarity of Peruvian lilies is that when the soil heats up above 23°, their tubers enter a phase of intensive growth, which has a bad effect on the formation of buds. In addition, mulch will help control weeds and keep the soil loose.

Planting is completed by abundant watering until the soil is completely moistened.

Basic rules of care

Although the epithets “capricious” and “demanding” do not apply to this flower, alstroemeria still needs some care. Peruvian lilies are very moisture-loving and do not tolerate dry soil. But excess moisture will not benefit the bushes: in waterlogged soil, the roots are quickly affected by rot. Therefore, when the planting is left behind, and the flowers have taken root in the open ground, water them often so that even the surface layer of the earth does not dry out too much, but in moderation.

Support necessary for plants The moisture level can be achieved by mulching and regularly loosening the soil around them.

Caring for alstroemeria includes mandatory feeding. It is done often, every week. On initial stages development of seedlings for fertilizer use complex mineral compounds containing a lot of potassium. When the plant gets its first buds, the fertilizer is specially designed for flowering plants. mineral mixture with a low percentage of nitrogen.

Organic fertilizers loved by many gardeners - bird droppings, mullein - are also suitable for Peruvian lilies. But here it is important to be careful and not to overdo the dosage, otherwise you can burn the roots of the delicate plant. Natural nutritional compounds are added in small quantities, using only well-rotted and highly diluted substances.

Do I need to prune alstroemeria?

Proper planting and care of alstroemeria will definitely lead to its flowering. It happens very intensely. Up to 80–130 very small buds can form on one bush. To improve appearance plants resort to pruning. It is carried out as needed throughout the growing season.

• In the spring, when the first shoots appear, the bush is thinned out, without regret getting rid of weak branches, leaving only the most powerful ones. During the first pruning, alstroemeria loses about a third of all its shoots.
• Further care consists of constant monitoring of the plant, timely disposal of drying foliage and wilted flowers. Old shoots without buds are also removed, cutting them at a height of 10-15 cm from the root.

Thanks to these simple measures, alstroemerias do not lose their attractiveness throughout the summer, and their flowers become larger. Pruning also reduces the risk of plants being damaged by diseases and pests.

Preparing for winter

Alstroemeria varieties are diverse, and their number inspires awe: more than 190 varieties of the plant have already been bred. Most of them love warmth and do not tolerate frosty winters well, although there are some that can survive in extreme cold (down to -25°C). Therefore, with the arrival of autumn, the perennial Peruvian lily requires special care.

Watering is stopped completely. After the bush has flowered, it is pruned, leaving about 6–7 cm above the ground. It is important not to miss the moment and do this before the first frost. Then the plant is tightly covered. You can use fallen pine needles, spruce or pine branches, dry leaves, and straw for this. Lay on top plastic film, fixing it with a layer of earth or mulch. Under such a warm “fur coat,” alstroemeria are not afraid of the cold.

In northern latitudes, where winters are very long and severe, it is not recommended to leave plants to overwinter in the open air. Experts advise removing tubers from the soil before the onset of frost and storing them in basement-type rooms in which the air has a low but positive temperature.

To avoid rotting of the roots of a dug-out flower, you should not completely remove the soil from them; you just need to slightly dry the lump of earth along with the tuber.

Alstroemeria - very unusual plant, capable of bringing exotic charm to any corner of the garden, decorating and enlivening even the simplest bouquet. For all its obvious tenderness and fragility, this mountain flower has amazing durability.

Don't doubt your abilities or be afraid possible difficulties, because when growing alstroemeria they are unlikely to arise. Caring for it differs little from caring for those already familiar to gardeners. flowering plants. Compliance with the basic rules of planting and watering, frequent fertilization and regular pruning are the basic principles on which the successful breeding of alstroemeria is based. You just have to try, and these beauties will definitely win your heart!

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 very beautiful and mysterious flower Alstroemeria, which is often called 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. South Africans also held the 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 constantly reigns with severe frosts, 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 shadows to avoid sunburn of the plant.

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 It is considered spring to plant a flower, 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.

The plant blooms from mid-June to mid-August.

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 are root rot, 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 mold- it appears from high humidity and poor air permeability, which is why you need to sterilize the soil before planting the plant.