Propagation: Question about alstromeria seeds, 0 by Ursula

Ursula wrote:
Hello Kylee!

The ones sold as cut flowers are usually hybrids and rarely produce any seeds.

I am enclosing a picture of a wild-growing Alstroemeria ligtu sp. simsii that is producing seed pods. The pod provides sort of a spring-system that ejects the seeds far from the mother-plant once they are ripe. That's why many people that grow Alstroemeria species (not hybrids), wonder why they suddenly have plants all over the garden (given the proper conditions). All they have to do to keep them under control is dead-head the wilted flowers.

The seeds inside are usually round (may have an irregular shape if too many seeds are jammed in one pod), are very hard when ripe and the colour varies according to the species from yellowish, to rusty, dark brown, etc.

Some species flower onw year after having been sowed and others may take up to 3 years.

I LOVE Alstroemerias and (in my humble opinion) even if pretty, no hybridizer has accomplished as beautiful flowers as the nature provides them.

Hugs,

Ursula