From early summer until the first frost, alstroemerias bloom with bright flowers in a wide range of colors. They look great in borders and containers. Most are hardy and easy to grow, blooming generously for many years. They also make long-lasting cut flowers.
Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian Lily, is a stunning flowering plant that can make a breathtaking addition to any garden. With their brightly colored flowers and lush foliage, alstroemerias add vibrant pops of color and texture. One of the best things about alstroemeria is that they can be easily propagated from cuttings. Growing alstroemeria from cuttings is a simple, low-cost way to multiply your plants and create a gorgeous flower garden. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to successfully grow these beauties from cuttings.
Why Grow Alstroemeria from Cuttings
Propagating alstroemeria from cuttings has many advantages over other methods like planting seeds Here are some of the key benefits
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Fast and easy – Starting alstroemeria from cuttings is much quicker and easier compared to growing from seeds which can take months to germinate and establish. Cuttings will root in just 4-6 weeks.
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Higher success rate – Cuttings taken from healthy, mature plants and cared for properly have a very high rate of successful rooting and growth
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Maintains plant characteristics – Propagating from cuttings ensures that the new plants are identical clones of the parent plant and have the same flower color, growth habit, etc.
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Cost-effective – Taking cuttings only requires a small upfront investment and saves the cost of buying multiple plants. Each cutting can grow into a new, mature plant.
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Great for sharing – Once rooted, the cuttings can be gifted or swapped with other gardeners to get new varieties.
When to Take Alstroemeria Cuttings
Timing is crucial when taking cuttings for the best chance of success. For alstroemeria, the ideal time for propagation is:
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Spring – The period from early spring to early summer is the prime time. Alstroemerias are actively growing during this season.
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Early morning – Take cuttings in the morning when the plant is full of moisture. Avoid extreme heat.
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Healthy growth – Select stems with healthy, vigorous new growth. Avoid any diseased or stressed stems.
Avoid taking cuttings in late summer/fall when plants are going dormant or in winter when they are fully dormant.
How to Take Cuttings from Alstroemeria
Follow these simple steps for taking perfect alstroemeria cuttings:
Step 1. Select a Healthy Stem
Choose a healthy stem from a mature, established alstroemeria plant. Select stems that are 6-8 inches long with 3-5 nodes (the points where leaves emerge). The stem should be green, flexible and free of damage, disease or flower buds.
Step 2. Make a Clean Cut
Use a sterile, sharp knife or pruners to detach the stem. Make a straight cut just below a node. Be sure to cut at an angle to expose more surface area for absorbing water and rooting hormones.
Step 3. Remove Lower Leaves
Strip off the leaves from the lower half of the stem. Keep 1-2 leaves near the top. Removing leaves reduces transpiration so the cutting does not dry out.
Step 4. Apply Rooting Hormone
Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder/gel. Tap off any excess. The hormones encourage faster, more successful root growth.
Step 5. Stick in the Growing Medium
Gently insert the cutting 2-3 inches deep into the rooting medium like perlite, vermiculite, peat moss etc. Firm the mix gently around the stem.
Step 6. Provide Warmth and Humidity
Place the potted cutting in a warm spot (65-75°F) with indirect sunlight. Enclose it in a plastic bag or propagator dome to retain moisture and humidity.
Caring for Alstroemeria Cuttings
To ensure your cuttings establish successfully, provide proper care:
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Check soil moisture daily, water when the top 1-2 inches become dry. Avoid overwatering.
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Mist the leaves every 2-3 days with water to maintain high humidity.
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After 2 weeks, give a half-strength balanced fertilizer biweekly.
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Watch for new growth as a sign of rooting. Gently tug cuttings after 4-6 weeks, resistance means roots have formed.
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Remove the plastic bag once cuttings are rooted to slowly acclimate them to normal humidity levels.
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Transplant into the garden or larger pots once well-rooted. Harden off for 7-10 days first.
Tips for Growing Gorgeous Alstroemerias from Cuttings
Follow these tips to maximize your success with alstroemeria cuttings:
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Take 2-3 cuttings from the same plant to ensure at least one roots successfully.
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Avoid entanglement of new shoots. Space cuttings at least 2 inches apart.
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Keep leaves dry to prevent disease. Water cuttings from the base.
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Provide temperatures between 65-75°F for optimal root growth.
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Ensure the rooting medium drains well but also holds moisture.
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Be patient! Rooting takes 4-6 weeks. Avoid disturbing the cuttings.
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Pinch off any flowers that begin to bloom on the cuttings so energy goes to root growth instead.
In just a few weeks, you can have beautiful new alstroemeria plants ready for the garden. With proper care, cuttings will establish quickly and grow into mature, blooming plants that grace your garden with color and texture. Follow this guide for successfully propagating alstroemerias from cuttings anytime you want more of these perennial favorites.
All you need to know Before you get started
Alstroemerias are fleshy-rooted herbaceous perennials, which means they grow from tubers that look like bulbs. Every spring, they send up new leafy stems, flower in the summer and fall, and then die back in the winter. They live for a long time, and even though they look crazy, they are usually hardy enough to be left in the ground all winter. They originate from South America, hence their common name of Peruvian lilies. A wide range of flower colors has been bred into them, and the petals are often spotted, streaked, or dotted with other colors.
The flower clusters look like lilies and are at the top of leafy stems. They bloom one after the other from early summer to late fall. These can range in height from just 15cm (6in) up to 1m (3 ¼ft) or more.
Choosing the right alstroemerias
A warm, shady, sunny spot with soil that doesn’t stay soggy is all that alstroemerias need to be happy in your garden. The flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects, so alstroemerias are perfect for a wildlife-friendly garden. There are many cultivars to pick from, and the flowers will match or stand out against the plants you already have. They grow to various heights to suit all positions in borders and even containers:
- Flowers: The bright blooms look like lilies and come in purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, or white. They are often spotted, streaked, or blotched with other colors. Because they are so different, there are options for most color schemes and garden styles, from bright, exotic plants to sweet, cottage-style borders. They get along well with other perennials, which are plants that live for at least three years. This word is also often used for herbaceous perennials that live for a long time (annual means one year, biennial means two years). perennials and will extend your flowering displays well into autumn.
- Leaf color ranges from bronze to gray-green. Variegated means that the leaves or other parts of the plant have streaks, blotches, or patches of different colors. Most of the time, these are two colors mixed together, like green and gold or green and white. variegated cream and green.
- Plant height: most grow to be between 50 cm (20 in) and 1 m (3¼ ft) tall, but there are also options that are taller or shorter to fit any spot in a border. The small cultivars (up to 15 cm/6 in. tall) also do well in pots. Check plant labels for height and spread before buying.
An RHS Award of Garden Merit has been given to 15 alstroemerias. This means they did well in RHS trials and are good choices. To browse photos and descriptions of alstroemerias, go to RHS Find a Plant. To help you choose, you can search by flower color, height, type of soil, RHS Award of Garden Merit, and other factors.
How to Grow Peruvian Lily| Alstroemeria | Propagation & Tips for More Blooms
FAQ
Can alstroemeria be propagated from cuttings?
Can I divide alstroemeria?
How do you grow Alstroemeria from cuttings?
For alstroemeria to grow successfully from cuttings, you’ll need ample light, but not direct sunlight. The soil shouldn’t dry out; therefore, water it often (once or twice per week) during dry times and at least once per day when it is wet when it is it is necessary.
Should you cut Alstroemeria flowers?
For the first year that you have your Alstroemeria, you should cut the flowers. Any time after this you need to be pulling the stalks up at the base, as cutting them can affect the rhizomes – they will respond to the damage above ground, and will die. Each flower has its own stalk, so pulling up a few stalks will not harm the plant itself.
Can Alstroemeria be grown in a pot?
Yes, alstroemeria can be grown in a pot. Just make sure that the pot has drainage holes and that you use well-drained soil. Water regularly and fertilize monthly during the growing season. How Long do Alstroemeria Flowers Last?