Alstroemeria Care
Alstroemeria flowers are native to South America Where they mostly grow wild in Chile, and eastern Brazil. where they are regarded as beautiful relics, with large brightly coloured, often spotted petals that give off a delightful scent. While Alstroemeria seeds can be bought and grown in the UK, there are precautions that should be followed to better ensure their healthy growth. Please read on:
There are over a hundred species of Alstroemeria, which almost strictly grow in Chile and Brazil, and in these respective areas the Alstroemeria flower in different seasons, with Alstroemeria in Chile flowering in winter, and Alstroemeria growing in Brazil flowering in summer, so for the purpose of this guide, we will cover summer growing Alstroemeria. Over many , many years, Alstroemeria flowers have adapted to their mountainous climate, so it is best to make sure that you follow the necessary guidelines to ensure they can grow in the UK properly, so feel free to continue reading our free guide to growing and caring for Alstroemeria flowers:
Environmental needs
Thanks to their native environments, Alstroemeria flowers can grow in a wide range of conditions, and can still grow at temperatures as low as 23 degrees Fahrenheit, so you shouldn’t have to worry too much about when you will keep your flowers. But still, we recommend picking a location that has good sunlight exposure and good airflow.
Soil and planting
Alstroemeria can be planted in virtually any flower growing soil in the UK, thanks to the fact they are genetically resilient to very harsh environments.
Plant the Alstroemeria tuber around 8 inches into the soil and cover lightly , if growing multiple flowers, plant them at least 12 inches apart from each other. Remember to plant them away from Weeds, as they will kill the starve and kill the young flowers.
Watering
It is imperative that you keep the soil your Alstroemeria in damp, as they need a lot of water to allow them to grow and bloom, but it is also important not to over water them, as roots cannot tolerate stagnant water. So, it is best to use well draining soil, and, if you’re planting indoors, use pots with decently sized holes to allow proper draining.
Protection
You can apply simple flower protection techniques to Alstroemeria flowers, like anti slug/snail pellets and using well draining soil. But did you also know that you can introduce ladybirds into the same vicinity of the Alstroemeria flowers , and they will provide excellent protection from insects that would eat your flowers, namely spider mites and greenfly.
We hope you make use of this free guide to grow your very own beautiful south American Alstroemeria’s!