Alstroemeria Growing Guide

Alstroemeria hybrids

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost, with a slightly acidic pH.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Winter hardy only in mild climates. Dormant alstroemeria roots can tolerate temperatures to −5 °C (23°F); a few cultivars are hardy to -10°C (14°F ).

Feeding

Drench with a liquid organic fertiliser when plants begin to grow tall in late spring or early summer. Feed again in midsummer, after the first big flush of flowers appears, using a high phosphorous fertiliser intended to support strong blooming.

Spacing

Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 30cm (11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Alstroemeria can be grown from seeds, but seedlings may not bloom for 2 to 3 years. It is much faster to start with a potted plant or dormant rhizomes in spring. The fleshy, finger-shaped roots should be planted as soon as they are received, setting them about 15 cm (6 inches) deep. Young plants need water when they are actively growing, but avoid keeping the plants too wet.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

In cold winter areas, use a deep mulch to reduce damage to the roots of alstroemerias grown in the ground. Bring containers into a cool garage, shed or glasshouse and allow them to dry out. Let the dormant rhizomes rest in the soil-filled pots until spring.

Harvesting

Instead of cutting stems as you would other cut flowers, grasp the flowering stem near the base and pull it out, then trim the end. This method encourages the plants to develop new bloom spikes. Cut alstroemeria stems last up to 14 days in a vase when trimmed and reset in fresh water every few days.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Alstroemeria

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail