Alstroemeria Species, Golden Lily-of-the-Incas, Peruvian Lily

Have been growing this plant for a few years now, but this past year with the long extended (13 days) of continuous cold temps found that...Read More an established plant in the ground could survive very well. I had covered with a large container and mulched around base real well. After the cold weather, uncovered and no cold damage at all. The plants are located in a plant bed area in front of an outside garden storage shed. Have purchased seeds and am going to attempt growing them from seed this year to get more colors. This plant is not found in very many nursery's around my area and really needs to be.

I love this flower! It cannot take too much afternoon sun here in Atlanta. It will grow in full sun but the leaves look bleached and burn...Read Moreed. When I moved it into an area that has afternoon shade, it flourished and grew big.

Also I divided it when I moved it and now have 6 or 8 big patches. You really can't get all of the roots so when you move it, some will get left behind. Think of that area as your alstroemeria nursery. Friends always want some.

Cutting flowers: cut the stalk all the way to the ground. It will not make another flower and will die back anyway.

This Alstroemeria is native to the southern cone of South America (Chile and Argentina).

Alstroemeria aurea loves full sun...Read More to part shade and nutrient rich well drained soil. It is recommended to fertilize once a year (during Autumn, when the plant has lost its foliage) with manure.

Propagation from seeds: stratified sowing during Autumn, in a mix of three portions of compost and one portion of river sand. Transplant into individual bags/pots once the plantils have reached some 5 cm (2"), handling very carefully the extremely brittle rhizom & fleshy roots.

They can also be sowed directly in Spring, in previously prepared soil.

On occasions plants grown from seeds will bloom during the first year, but they usually do so during the second or third year. The amount and quality of flowers will improve each year.

In Chile, the roots are used to manufacture flour/starch used in baby food.

This Alstroemeria species is very adecuate to be planted framing a path, as well as for flower beds, pots and containers.

Great 'cut flower' pulling the flower stem is recommended by some authorities.

To collect seed allow pods to dry, test by ...Read Moreholding them, if they are ripe they spring open.

Tuberous perennial plant from Chile.

Has lance shaped, mid- greyish green, smooth leaves. Bears umbels of bright orange o...Read Morer yellow flowers with streaked tepals.

Flowers June-August

Likes a well drained but moist, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade.

Dislikes too much disturbance so leave it be to form good sized clumps before dividing. In places where they are happy they can become a little invasive. Not very hardy, may survive short periods as low as 7F but not much more.

Sow seeds in pots in Autumn and place in a cold frame. Sow sparingly as the seedling tuber is very delicate and easy to break. Best to plant them out straight from the pot without pricking on. Winter mulch the young plants for the first year or two.

Makes an excellent and long lasting cut flower.

Peruvian lilies can be grown in colder climates if planted 6 to 8 inches deep and mulch well.