You might recognize the Alstroemeria ( Alstroemeria spp . ) from cut flower arrangements . They are prized for their cut longevity , lasting up to two week in a vase . This native of Chile is normally known as the Lily of the Incas or Peruvian Lily .
You might recognize the Alstroemeria ( Alstroemeria spp . ) fromcut flower arrangement . They are prized for their gash length of service , lasting up to two weeks in a vase . This native of Chile is commonly known as the Lily of the Incas or Peruvian Lily . The plant life produces bloom of youth in a variety of color including blue , orangish , pink , cherry and white .
The Basics
Alstroemeria flowers grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10 . They thrive in well - drained soil in partial Sunday to full Lord’s Day and blossom throughout the summer . In colder areas , they add color when used as a container or indoor plant . Deciduous and evergreen coinage exist , both with green to chartreuse leaves . Under the right conditions , Alstroemeria grow 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet panoptic , but some purebred species have creeping radical that form colonies to become much large . Because of this , some specie of Alstroemeria are look at invasive and should not be planted near other vegetation . grower have naturalise noninvasive versions to combat this quality , some call " dwarf " and others " hybrid . " For place planting , count for specie with one or both of these Scripture in their name or consult a garden center for suggestions .
Common Care
Alstromeria , more often than not gloomy - maintenance plants , resist deer and attract birds and helpful insects . Although they expect well - drained soil , do not allow the grease to whole dry out and provide enough water to soak the earth around the flowers during droughts or dry spells . On the colder end of the approved USDA hardiness zones , mulch around the roots helps to protect the plant from moth-eaten and helps to keep wet levels during the growing season .
Pruning and Fertilizing
To control unwanted spreading , deadhead flower to prevent the seeds from falling and reseeding . To prevent disease , soak pruning shear in a root of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water for five minutes . rinse off them with piddle and air dry out them before beginning to reduce . Cut each stagnant bloom back just above the leafage node unaired to the flower . utilise fertilizer during the increase phase in recent wintertime or former spring , choosing one with a eminent engrossment of N than other elements . ( Nitrogen is the first figure in the thee - number set on fertiliser bags . ) A vernacular proportion is 16 - 4 - 8 , which would be appropriate for this plant life . Although you should always default to package directions , the general app rate for a 16 - 4 - 8 fertiliser for decorative plants is 1/2 dog pound per 100 square feet of space .
Debugging Flowers
Some pests revel snacking on the Alstroemeria , but most should n’t cause alarm system . aphid touch on primarily young plant ; eliminate them by introducing their born enemy , the lady beetle , into the domain . Pick harlequin bug , a eccentric of stink beetle , from the leaves to stop their munching . Snails and slugs are easiest to remove by bait and trap . Draw them to a covered localisation , such as an overturned pot , with a snail bait and helping hand - remove them . whitefly are the trickiest pest to handle since they can not be well transfer by deal and commercially available pesticide do little to discourage them . Catch them using fly trap or monish them from the field with reflective foils advert around the garden .
Deadly Enemies
Alstroemeria ’s diseases are hard to treat and normally fatal to the works . Root rot is a fungus that come when too much water supply exist around the pedestal of the plant life . The first sign of contagion is dull and yellowing foliage that extend to wilt . Buds fail to egress , and the antecedent , which turn dark , become brittle and break easily . Prevent it from lease hold by planting the blossom in well - drained soil and send theme balls in the ground at the same depth they were in the original commode . establish the stem too deep can lead to excess moisture along the theme and fugal contagion . Viruses start out as spotted or streaked leaves that eventually lead to wilted stems and plant destruction . In either case , the only truthful cure is to dig out and destroy diseased plant .
References
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