Alstroemeria advice

Advice from Bob Willard, general manager of de Jager Bulbs

Alstroemeria is a popular cutting flower, as the flowers last so long after cutting and it really is an easy plant to look after.

Plant the tubers in March or April, 5inches (12cms) deep in a sheltered sunny position in the garden, in a well-drained fertile soil. Unlike many tubers, Alstroemeria prefers to be left untouched in the ground for several years. So choose a space where they can stay happily undisturbed.

Occasionally, no top growth is seen during the first year, so don’t worry if this happens to you. Also, until the clumps are established, it is best to remove only a few flower stems for indoor use. When necessary, use twiggy sticks for support.

Remember to deadhead Alstroemeria unless you need some seeds and, when autumn arrives, cut the stems down to the ground level after the leaves have died.

During the dormant winter period they appreciate being tucked up in a mulch of peat or composted material. This should even be done to those that have shown no top growth the first year, so remember where you planted them!

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