There is no doubt that one of the most beautiful flowering plants you can find is Alstroemeria. Its maintenance is very easy and it will not take you long to get it.
This plant with flowers so similar to lilies, but much easier to care for, will brighten up your garden. But, what if we show you what its care is?
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How is Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria is also known as astromelia or Peruvian lily. It is characterized by being a very lively and rhizomatous plant. It can reach, if left to itself and with proper care, more than a meter in height.
As for its leaves, they are very long, fleshy and also end in a point. They are totally green, but not too bright and not dull either. And it is that the most characteristic of this plant are its inflorescences.
Flowers can be of several colors, which perfectly combine with its greenery. The most common are red, orange, purple, pink and white. In fact, when you first see it, it impresses you that something so small is able to show great beauty. These flowers accompany it during the spring and part of the summer. In addition, it is widely used in bouquets because it is a flower that can last up to 2 weeks without withering, which is a record.
He is originally from South America but he is not one of those who need tropical care to get ahead, quite the contrary.
Alstroemeria: Important Precautions
You already know a little more about Alstroemeria and it is possible that at this stage you want to have this plant at home (we already tell you that it will be a good choice because it is very beautiful).
But, to have it well and in good health, it is necessary to provide it with the care it needs. And what is the care of Alstroemeria? We reveal them to you:
Location
Although it may seem that Alstroemeria is a houseplant, the truth is that it is not. He really likes being outdoors. In this case, you can choose between partial shade or direct sun, as long as it does not burn too much.
Our recommendation is to place it in a place where it receives the morning or afternoon sun, this way it will be much better nourished.
Temperature
That said, as you will have understood, high temperatures take them well. The problem is when they drop too low. If this happens, you must put it inside the house or protect it so that it can withstand the winter.
In general, for this to happen, the temperature should drop to -2 ° C, if this happens, it is better inside the house or protect the earth and itself.
earth
You must provide a loose substrate containing organic matter. Again, we recommend using a mix of organic soil and some drainage to prevent too much water from accumulating.
In winter, you can place a mulch of dead leaves on top of the soil; this way you would protect its roots from the cold.
Irrigation
This is one of the most important cares for Alstroemeria, and it is where we can most fail and ruin the plant. He needs water, yes, but not too much. It is better for her to water a little but several times a week, than all at once. So write this:
In summer, water twice a week. If you live in a warmer region, you may need more.
In winter, once every 10-15 days will be enough. If you are in a colder region, it can be once a month.
If you don’t want to take any risks, what you can do is put “automatic” watering sometimes with drops. This way you would leave the irrigation and it would take a few days or weeks to have to replace it. And it is that when it comes to watering you must always do it from below, not from above because if the water touches the flowers or the leaves they will wither and it will not be pretty.
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Payment in spring and summer will help you not to spend too much energy on your flowering. So try giving it some mineral fertilizer. In the fall you can also apply compost which will be great.
Cut
Pruning is one Alstroemeria care you should consider. And it is that in autumn it is always necessary to cut the stems and the flowers at ground level. Then you can cover it to withstand the winter.
Now, keep in mind that this is a perennial plant so if you provide it with the right temperature, it might remain unpruned (except for spent flowers, which should be removed).
Transplantation
The transplant should be done every 3 years or so. It is a way of renewing the earth and letting it grow little by little. Of course, always choose a slightly larger pot, don’t upgrade to a very large one as it may not be good for the roots.
Plagues and diseases
Alstroemeria is one of the most resistant plants against pests and diseases. However, we recommend that you protect it from scale insects, slugs and snails. These are the three main enemies.
But don’t worry, because if they attack you, you can walk past.
There are other pests you also need to watch out for, although normally the plant itself is able to get rid of them on its own (only when weak will they attack it). For example: aphids, mites, whiteflies, viruses (mosaic and spotted wilt).
As for diseases, the main one and the one that can affect it the most is root rot. This happens when you water too much and the soil stays too wet for too long. If you catch it in time, it is possible that changing its pot and removing as much soil as possible can prevent it from dying.
Multiplication
The reproduction of Alstroemeria is carried out by the division of the rhizome. This should be done in the fall, but if you usually live in an area with very cold winters, it’s best to do it in the spring.
You can also get it from seed, but keep in mind that it will take 2-3 years to flower because it first develops all the roots and then devotes its energy to the flowers.
As you can see, Alstroemeria care is not difficult to apply, and if done correctly, you will ensure that you have a very healthy, flower-filled plant that will brighten your day. Do you dare to have one?