Alstroemeria, which has a dozen different names, is a rhizome perennial plant, home to which is South America. Despite the southern origin, growing alstroemeria both at home and outdoors in our latitudes is also possible. But if you have to tinker with a plant that is grown on the street, then care of the room alstroemeria in a pot does not represent complications. Have you decided to replenish the collection of indoor plants with this beautiful exotic? Then read some of the nuances, and success is guaranteed to you.
Brief information about the plant
Variety species and hybrids of alstroemeria are known a lot. The Peruvian lily or Inca lily, as this plant is also called, can have a different color of inflorescences, the shape of the bush and its height. The stems of alstroemeria are very flexible, but they are erect. They, like arrows, grow out of the rhizome, and end with magnificent inflorescences. Flowers in alstroemeria have the shape of a funnel, can be painted in different colors, there are varieties with one-color striped or contrasting stripes. Externally, the flowers are like inflorescences of orchids and lilies. As for the leaves, they are long and inverted in alstroemeria, that is, the front side is directed downward, and the rear side, respectively, up.
As already mentioned, planting and caring for alstroemeria is easier to do at home or in a greenhouse. Gardeners, containing greenhouses, prefer taller hybrid varieties. But lovers of home plants should not be upset. Breeders took care to give them a house plant - alstroemeria of domestic low-growing varieties. Such plants in height do not exceed forty centimeters, have large flowers, the diameter of which can reach seven centimeters. Blossoms mainly in the summer. The most beloved varieties of room alstroemeria are "Sara", "Ella" and "Camilla". Such plants will give you inflorescences of pink, salmon and white, respectively.
Features of care for alstroemeria
If this exotic plant has appeared in your house, provide him with a place where the lighting will be bright, but diffused. There are no special requirements for the temperature regime. Alstromeria dies at 4 and below degrees of heat, but at home such temperatures are hardly possible. If you want to quickly see the flowering, provide the plant a temperature of +15 for three weeks. As soon as the first buds appear, raise it another three degrees.
As for watering, moderation and regularity are the basic principles. And this he must be always, since alstroemeria does not have a pronounced phase of rest. If the root system has grown and entangled the entire pot, it is necessary to transplant the flower. It is better to time this event to the beginning of spring or postpone until the flowering ceases. Do not want to have such an overgrown plant? Then divide the rhizome, leaving a minimum of a dozen stems. If during the transplant the damaged areas were found, safely cut them with a knife and treat the rhizome with a disinfectant. But the feeding should be done weekly. It is better if you alternate mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers. Only in the flowering phase, fertilize alstroemery
Reproduction of alstroemeria is possible and seeds, but only two years later you can wait for the first buds. Sow the seeds in a loose moistened substrate, cover with a film. In three weeks, the shoots will pop out. The film is then removed, and the seedlings are cared for as in the case of an adult plant.
Take into account, this tender-looking beauty is poisonous and contains in its juice tulipin - a toxic substance that can corrode the skin. Take care of your pets who like to gnaw the leaves. A large amount of toxin can provoke poisoning, and in small animals and birds - death.