What is Alstroemeria psittacina used for?
Alstroemeria psittacina is cultivated as an ornamental plant by plant nurseries, for use in temperate gardens, such as in California. It is a popular ornamental plant in New Zealand, where it usually blooms at Christmastime and is referred to as New Zealand Christmas bell. Alstroemeria is a hardy herbaceous perennial, which means it lives for many years, with growth that dies back to the ground each winter. Ideally, plant alstroemerias in spring so they can settle in before flowering, spacing them 60 cm apart.Alstroemeria is usually placed into containers (or into borders) in spring. Plants will usually need to be repotted into a slightly larger container (or divided) every couple of years.Alstroemerias are best divided in April, though you may also undertake the task in May. While other summer flowering plants can often also be divided in autumn, between September and November, this is not the best time to divide Alstroemeria tubers because they can be a little tender.Overwintering: In climates where Alstroemeria aren’t winter hardy, you can overwinter the tubers indoors by digging them up in the fall after the first frost, being careful not to damage the roots.Container growing is extremely popular for alstroemeria, especially in gardens with challenging soil or limited space. These versatile plants perform beautifully in pots when given proper care. Ensure the pot you are using is large enough to keep the plants moist in warm weather.
Do Alstroemeria naturalize?
Alstroemeria (/ˌælstrɪˈmɪəriə/), commonly called the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Alstroemeriaceae. They are all native to South America, although some have become naturalized in the United States, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Alstroemeria has multiple nicknames, including Peruvian Lily, Lily of the Incas, and Parrot Lily. Contrary to their nicknames, alstroemeria do not belong to the lily family. Alstroemeria are fragrance-free, making them a nice choice for those sensitive to strong scents.Alstroemeria flowers are often called Peruvian lilies or lily of the Incas. Despite their common name, they’re not true lilies. Instead, they belong to the Amaryllidaceae family, which is entirely separate from the true lily family.Family: Alstroemeriaceae. The February flower of the month is the Alstroemeria! Commonly called the Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas, these perennials make great accents for bouquets and home gardens due to their wide variety of colors. Keep reading to learn fun facts and how to care for them.Long-lasting Blooms: Alstroemeria is known for its long blooming season. From late spring to early fall, you’ll enjoy an abundance of vibrant, lily-like flowers that provide a continuous display of color.Alstroemeria (Lily-of-the-Incas, Parrot Lily, Peruvian Lily, Princess Lily) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
Is Alstroemeria poisonous to humans?
Skin contact with any plant part may result in allergic reactions including rash, redness, swelling, brittle nails and asthma-like reactions. If eaten, it may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. University of California Davis lists them on their Toxic Plants list in Toxicity Class 2 (Minor Toxicity: Ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting and diarrhea. Class 4(Dermatitis: The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants may cause a skin rash or irritation.
Is Alstroemeria a potted plant?
Alstroemeria (Princess Lilies) These happy plants grow and bloom in partial sunny conditions and do well in flower beds, borders or containers. They will remain green in warm climates until the bloom period, so there is no reason to cut them back like you would with many perennials. Cutting Alstroemeria plants to the ground is not recommended, as it will stunt the vegetative growth and diminish blooms the next season.Keep your potted alstroemeria indoors after September when the frost could start appearing outdoors. You can move them to a location that is free of frost for the winter, such as a sheltered porch or greenhouse.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 6 inches (15 cm) deep.Be sure to plant alstroemerias in full sun or partial shade in a fertile, moist, well-drained soil to ensure they keep on flowering. Remove the whole stem at the base once the flower on it has finished as this will encourage the growth of new flowers.Alstroemerias are best divided in April, though you may also undertake the task in May. While other summer flowering plants can often also be divided in autumn, between September and November, this is not the best time to divide Alstroemeria tubers because they can be a little tender.
How long will Alstroemeria last?
Vase life: Long lasting, each individual Alstroemeria cut flower lasts about 1 week and each stem will have blooms for up to 2 weeks. Ethylene Sensitive: Yes, very sensitive. Ethylene damage includes flower fall and transparent petals. Vase life: Long lasting, each individual Alstroemeria cut flower lasts about 1 week and each stem will have blooms for up to 2 weeks.As you replant the bulbs, place them six inches down into pots or 12 to 18 inches apart in the ground. After about 10-15 weeks, your Alstroemeria will begin to flower and continue to do so for two to four years.Alstroemeria care: the basics Upon arrival, trim the stems and place the stems in water. With the help of a good drink they’ll blooming over a day or two to reveal their inner petals. Alstroemeria flowers love a little light, but not too much.Alstroemeria flowers can be grown in pots or containers as long as they are large enough. If the pot is too small, it can cause the soil to overheat which prevents the flowers from blooming. Be sure to move your potted Alstroemeria to shelter once the colder months approach.
Is Alstroemeria seasonal?
Alstroemeria plants will usually bloom continuously from late spring through fall and throughout most of the year in frost-free climates. During the hottest months of the summer, flowering may slow down or stop but should resume once the cooler weather of fall arrives. Alstroe in containers Keep your potted alstroemeria indoors after September when the frost could start appearing outdoors. You can move them to a location that is free of frost for the winter, such as a sheltered porch or greenhouse.Alstroemeria should be planted in the spring, early summer, or fall, depending on your climate. The ideal time to plant is when temperatures do not exceed 68° F and range between 40 and 50° F. If growing indoors, you can do so anytime as long as your Alstroemeria is in a temperate location.Mulch the clumps in autumn and winter to protect them further, and they will reliably overwinter outside. If you have a greenhouse it is well worth growing alstroemerias inside too. Pot them up into 5 litre pots in free-draining, gritty compost. Keep them frost free.Alstroemeria are winter hardy in zones 8–10 and shouldn’t require protection there. Bring Alstroemeria plants indoors in the winter in colder areas. Place near a sunny window, and don’t be concerned if a few leaves fall off as your plant adjusts to an indoor environment.If Alstroemeria is damaged by cold, it may not grow or flower as well the following season, or it may even fail to come back all together.
How to keep Alstroemeria blooming?
Alstroemeria don’t need too much water and overwatering can lead to rotting roots. So only water your alstroemeria when its soil looks dry! To get the most out of your beautiful Peruvian Lily, you can feed it Alstroemeria fertiliser when it’s in its ‘bloom season. This’ll help elongate the time it flowers! Overwintering. In warmer regions (zones 8 to 10), Peruvian lilies require no winter protection other than clipping back foliage as it dies back. Since zone 7 is a transitional zone, the plant roots should be covered with dry mulch for the winter.Peruvian Lily Winter Care In Pots Peruvian Lilies grown in pots will need to be cut back in the fall, just like plants growing in the ground. Potted plants can be left outdoors in the warmer reaches of this plant’s growing range.