Scientific name - Alstroemeria. Alstroemeria genus was named after the famous botanist Claus von Alstroemeria (1736-1794), who sent seeds of Alstroemeria Linne in Spain, in 1754.

Popular names - peruviano Giglio, Peruvian lily.

Distribution and Habitat - Alstroemeria includes about 90 species that grow in different habitats, from sea to share 4500 m. It has two major distribution centers in Chile, and Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

Description - herbaceous perennial. Rhizome long, soft, or short and nodosa. Stem 1 m tall, sterile stems short. Leaves alternate, short stalks, lamina linear - ovata, margins entire, nervatiune parallel. Blossom terminal umbela-loose. Flower zigomorfa very rarelyactinomorfa; tepale brush 6, 5 cm, 6 stamens in the periantului, uneven, curved, ovary inferior. Fruit capsule, 3-valve, dehiscence. Seeds globe-ellipsoidal, yellow-brown or brown. 2n = 16.

Alstroemeria species grown for cut flowers - A. Golden, A. ligtu, A. magnificent, A. PELEGRIN, A. pisttacina, A. pulchella.

Tolerances - the plants must be protected from prevailing winds and rain.

Requirements - soil pH 6.0-6.8, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Solution temperature it should be 13 ° C. They need 14-16 hours of daylight. During short winter days, light can add 4-5 hours with incandescent light. They need to 3000-3500 lux / m ^2, winter best quality is obtained with 8000 lux. Remove stems vegetative each month after the beginning of flourishing. Apply fertilizers, calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate. Avoid nitrogen fertilization on winter. Ideal humidity is 70-80% during winter indicated that humidity be below 90%. The level of CO ₂ must be maintained at 350-400 ppm in summer and hothouse windows should not open more than 20%.

Management - Area of planting 30-45 cm or 45 x 50 on two occasions in bed 90 cm wide and 20 deep. Plants are tutoreaza. For a longer period of prosperity, not cut more than 30% of the strains once, and harvesting is done when the first bud was swollen and open.

Propagation - division during rest, or by seeds. Rhizome is removed from the land in November, and is kept in the greenhouse until April, after which the plants again. Flowering starts in June, the flowers appeared earlier to be removed. Rhizomes planted in August are starting to bloom in October or March-April, when soil is cold hothouse.

Species, only 20% of seeds germinate very slowly.

Diseases and pests - Botrytis, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia, aphids, spiders and butterflies white. Proper soil preparation is essential to diseases and pests. Land steaming 30 minute / 7 ° C, kills nematodes, fungi, weeds, bacteria and insects.

Natural partners and grAdina - Aster, Colocasia, Dahlia, Hemerocallis, Phlox.

Cultivars and varieties - 'Amazone', 'Ballet', 'Cinderella' Diamond ', Dusty Rose', 'Irena', 'Jubilee', 'Lorraine', 'Pacific Sunset', 'Sunny Rebecca', 'Victoria'.

Properties and Uses - It is necessary to use gloves when working with Alstroemeria plants as skin irritation may occur.

Myth, Legend and Folklore --

References

AK Sfrozen - Flower Crops - New India Publishing Agency, 2006

Allan M. Armitage and Judy M. Laushman - Specialty Cut Flowers - Timber Press, 2003

C. Colston Burrell - The Sunny Border - Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2002

Javier Avalos - Dermatologic Botany - Informa Healthcare, 1999

John E. Bryan - Pocket Guide to Bulbs - Timber Press, 2005

Will Giles - Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate climates - Timber Press, 2007