General Home & Gardening Topics   Alstroemeria   Blooms of Bressingham   Delphinium   Lavendar   Penstemons   Main Care Sheets Page Alstroemeria   Native to the coastal region of So. America, Alstroemerias are a beautiful perennial plant that is valuable to florists for their long-lasting cut flowers.   Today's hybrids are easier to grow and considered better than ever, with shorter, sturdier stems that do not require staking and have a longer blooming season. Most varieties retain their foliage year round if temperatures stay above freezing.   Peak blooming time is spring, summer and early fall; often longer along the coast where temperatures are cooler. Alstroemerias grow in clumps and can reach a height and spread of 3 feet. LOCATION   Alstroemerias prefer cooler temperatures and need a rich, loamy soil that drains well. In coastal areas they need sun all day, but can take some filtered sun in the late afternoon. Inland areas will need morning sun with filtered light in the afternoon and good air circulation — do NOT put Alstroemerias against a hot white wall or in an enclosed patio with little air circulation. PLANTING   Alstroemerias can be planted in the ground at any time. Dig a deep, wide hole using 1/2 Roger's Planting Mix and 1/2 existing soil. Position plants so the crown is 2 inches below the soil line. Alstroemerias also do well in pots (start with a large container, since Alstroemerias need plenty of room for their large root system). WATERING   Alstroemerias are actually considered drought tolerant because they develop thickened storage roots to supply moisture over dry spells. They bloom best, however, with regular DEEP watering:   For plants in the ground _ water once every 7 to 10 days.   For plants grown in containers _ water once every 5 days.   Like most plants, Alstroemerias need to become "established" after planting, so more frequent watering may be necessary for the first few weeks. FERTILIZING   Alstroemerias do not require heavy feeding. They will bloom best and have a healthy foliage color if you use Roger's Soil Activator once a month March through September. REMOVING FLOWERS AND STEMS   There are three instances when you will want to remove stems from these plants:   1. When they send up spindly and crooked stems, quite inferior to the usual plump ones that grow thick and straight.   2. When a flower has faded on the plant, then the stem should be removed — the sooner the better, so that seed pods don't develop, which slows down the blooming process.   3. When you want to take flowers for bouquets.   When it comes to Alstroemerias, NEVER CUT — PULL! The method for "pulling" stems is to grasp the stem down at the soil line and gently pull, so that the stem will break away cleanly from the rhizome.   By pulling the stems away you are encouraging strong, sturdy stems and more blooms. DIVIDING   Like many rhizome type plants, Alstroemerias are easy to divide. They just need to be separated, or "pulled apart" to make more plants. Sometimes you will need to cut some of the roots when dividing.   Because they are slow to reestablish, Alstroemerias should be divided only when they have completely outgrown their place in the garden. Divide in October and don't be fooled into thinking more divisions are better. Divide each plant in half — you will have a full, lush plant sooner this way.   Be patient. Once your Alstroemerias are divided, you may not see much activity until January or February.