Growing Alstroemeria For Cut Flowers

Alstroemeria is also affected by ethylene gas.

Growing alstroemeria for cut flowers. Once they start to shoot in spring feed and water well and they ll give you an almost continual flower harvest. Alstroemeria flowers in late spring or early summer and comes in shades of white pink yellow orange and red. For cutting back the alstroemeria take care to pull the stems from the plant when harvesting the flowers rather than cutting them from the base of the plant. Alstroemeria are free flowering producing attractive flowers in a wide range of colours from june until the first frosts.

Alstroemeria are tuberous perennials originating from south america. Mulch well over winter. If you have a greenhouse it is well worth growing alstroes inside too. To grow alstroemeria start by soaking the bulbs in water for 24 hours to jump start germination.

Here on our nursery we have cultivated alstroemeria for many years to use as cut flowers they are both easy to grow and suffer from very few pests. The flowers are sensitive to fluoride in water. It comes in an extensive color palette and has a long vase life. Culture methods and productivity.

Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers. Common names include lily of the incas parrot lily and peruvian lily. Save to my scrapbook. Plant alstroemeria in full sun in well drained soil.

When it has died back in the winter months it can then be tidied up by cutting the stems back to the base. Any time after this you need to be pulling the stalks up at the base as cutting them can affect the rhizomes they will respond to the damage above ground and will die. Let the water sit for a few hours before using. If you want to encourage the growth of your plant regularly dead head the spent blossoms so the plant isn t wasting energy on these and will put its.

Newly planted plants quickly form clumps that will produce flowers for the whole summer from june until the first frosts here in southern england. They are a great addition to borders combining well with other plants and making excellent cut flowers. Then make sure the bulbs get partial to full sun every day and water them frequently so the soil stays moist. Each flower has its own stalk so pulling up a few stalks will not harm the plant itself.

Using as a cut flower alstroemeria is prized by professionals and amateurs alike because of its striking azalea like blossoms. Finally fertilize your plants every week during the growing season to encourage lots of colorful blooms. Set the plants 1 foot apart. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

This growth is due to the fact that this crop is fairly easy to cultivate and does not require special demands. Pot them up into generous 5 litre pots and keep them frost free. Alstroemeria is a very popular choice of cut flower even though most people don t know it by its botanical name. Sturdy stems support hefty clusters of vividly colored petals that are often striated or flecked by contrasting colors.

The flowers are beautiful and have a very long vase life. For the first year that you have your alstroemeria you should cut the flowers. Next dig holes that are 6 8 inches deep in well draining soil and plant the bulbs with the pointy side facing up.