Alstroemeria Plants
A Few Facts About Alstroemeria Plants
Alstroemeria plants are generally not very well known. The plant does well only in relatively frost free areas, so in the United States you're apt to find them only in gardens in Southern California, Florida, and perhaps elsewhere along the Gulf Coast or the Rio Grande. Where most people become familiar with Alstroemeria plants are as cut flowers, and in many cases people probably either purchased an arrangement from a florist or received an arrangement or bouquet as a gift, without knowing the name of these beautiful lily-like flowers.
There Are Some Limits - These plants are native to South America, principally to Brazil, Peru, and Chile, and are often called the Peruvian Lily, of the Parrot Lily. There are several species of Alstroemeria plants, and a large number of varieties and hybrids. When one considers all of the varieties there are available, plus the hybrids, and then finds out that only a few varieties are sold in nurseries, one may well wonder where all the other varieties are at. As far as the hybrids are concerned, most of the hybrids are produced in laboratories and not all of them propagate easily. Still, when one considers all of the varieties one can purchase as a cut flower, it seems strange that the plants are nowhere to be found. The simple explanation is that most varieties of are patented. They are only sold or leased to retailers who will sell the cut flowers, but who may not sell or even give away the plants. Sell one of these patented varieties, or plant one in your garden, and the “Alstroemeria police” will track you down and take or destroy your plant. This situation is probably not unique to the Alstroemeria, but there are likely few other plants where so many varieties are patented, and not for sale as plants.
Still, if you love in a location where Alstroemeria plants can be grown, there may be enough different varieties available to keep you satisfied. The plant's blossoms come in many different colors. Interesting, none of the blossoms have a solid color, but usually a base color, with spots, streaks, or patterns of another color or two. If you have an orange Alstroemeria, the blossoms will likely be orange, streaked with green or pink, or both. Even the petals are striped on many varieties, though not on all of them. If you get an Alstroemeria as a cut flower, it will last for about 2 weeks, not bad for a cut flower, and one reason why it is a favorite of florists.
Planting Considerations - Alstroemeria plants are not sold as seeds, but usually in pots. When transplanted, they're placed in the ground so the dirt around the plant is at the same level it was in the pot. Alstroemerias are sun loving plants, and need a well drained soil to do well. Individual plants should be placed about a foot apart. As is the case with most any other transplant, the soil needs to be kept moist until the plant becomes established. After that, a weekly watering will suffice. Even though the plant prefers direct sun, if the weather becomes too warm, such that the soil becomes too warm, the plant will cease producing flowers. When the soil becomes warm, the plant, for whatever reason, decides it's time to grow larger, and puts all of its energy into the root system. If the soil is consistently too warm, one will end up with a plant with very large roots, a fair amount of foliage, but no flowers.
If you view some images of Alstroemeria plants, you'll agree that it's a shame they can't be grown in more areas, or that all varieties are not available on the market as plants. It is an exceptionally beautiful little plant.