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Alstroemeria longistaminea

Alstroemeria longistaminea - Growing tips

 

Planting the rhizome

 

 Plant your rhizome promptly when received.

 You can start it in a pot about 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) wide.  Use a well-draining soil mix.  A typical mix is 2 parts quality potting soil to 1 part perlite.  An alternate mix is 1 part coco fiber to 1 part perlite, with some granular fertilizer mixed in.

 Plant the rhizome so the top is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface.  Don't compress the soil.  Add water until the soil is evenly moist, but not fully saturated.

 It should sprout within about 4-6 weeks, but may take up to 12 weeks, depending on when it went dormant.  Until it sprouts, keep it in a warm spot out of direct sun.

 Once it sprouts, give it bright light (see: "Growing indoors with LED lights").  Some sun should be ok, but watch for possible burning.  It may need some  protection from strong afternoon sun.  This forest plant doesn't need much sun, just bright light.

 While it's actively growing, keep the soil evenly moist (but not constantly saturated).

 Climate -- It comes from a warm climate in Brazil, and while it can tolerate cool conditions, it seems to be happiest above 60 degrees F (15°C).

 Support -- It makes long shoots, which you can either let ramble across other plants, or train upright on a trellis or similar support.  Don't trim the shoots, since the blooms appear at the tips.

Fertilizing -- Feed about every 3 months using a granular fertilizer that contains micronutrients, following the dosage on the package.

 Transplanting -- After about 3-4 months, you may repot it to a 3-4 quart (3-4 liter) pot, which should hold it for a year.  After 1 or 2 years, it will benefit from being dug up and repotted into fresh soil.

 Dormancy -- The plant may lose some or all of its leaves each year, and go into a rest period for a few months.  During this time, keep the soil lightly moist.  Don't let it dry out.  While it's dormant, you may repot it, trim away any dead storage tubers, and divide the rhizome if you wish.

 Pests -- Watch for any pests that can affect your other plants.  Try using insecticidal soap before using stronger remedies, since some may harm the plant.

General info on this plant is here.

Have fun growing it!

- Jeff

Strange Wonderful Things

 

 
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