Home	Strange Wonderful Things Rare and exotic plants & seeds

Parrot Lily

Alstroemeria psittacina

» These seeds sprout best if placed in the refrigerator for 3 weeks, after an initial 3 weeks at room temperature. This is to trick the seeds into thinking winter has passed. The tips below explain the process.

First, soak the seeds in a cup of water for 24 hours.

Put the seeds in a small ziplock bag or a cup with a small amount of soil - about 1/4 cup (100 mL).  Stir the seeds & soil together, then water it until it is evenly moist (but not soggy).  Dark-colored soil is best, because it will make it easier to find and remove the tan seeds from the soil later.

For the next 3 weeks, ensure that the soil stays moist.  Keep the seeds at about 70 to 85°F (21-30°C).

After 3 weeks, zip up the bag (if you used a cup, enclose it in an airtight container or bag) and place it in the refrigerator.  Make sure the temperature stays above 35°F (2°C).

After 3 weeks (mark your calendar) remove the bag from the refrigerator and pick the seeds out from the soil.  Plant 1 or 2 seeds per small pot, about 2-3 inches tall (5-8 cm).  For soil, use a mix of about 2 parts potting soil to 2 part perlite or coarse sand.  Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep (6 mm) and water the soil until evenly moist.  Put the pots in a spot that generally stays between 65 and 75°F (18-24°C).

Germination occurs over a long period, starting 1 month from removing them from the refrigerator and continuing for 4 months.

Once they sprout, give them sunlight, with protection from strong afternoon sun.  Keep the soil evenly moist, and feed every 6 weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer.  Many potting soils contain fertilizer, so if yours does, your seedlings shouldn't need feeding the first 3 weeks of growth.

You may transplant them to larger containers when the plants are 3 months old. Repot gently to avoid breaking apart the soil ball.  Water before transplanting, to keep the soil ball together.  Always shade the plant from prolonged sun for a week after transplanting, and don't feed it for 2 weeks.

Tips on growing adult plants are here.

Good luck!

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