How to Take Care of Alstroemeria Flowers

All flowers are beautiful in their way, but florists have their favourites, and alstroemeria flowers, or, in other words, the lily of the Incas, is one of the favourites. This flower makes any composition voluminous and airy, has a lot of shades, and keeps it fresh for a long time. 

A bouquet of delicate alstroemeria is a beautiful gift for every woman, man or child. The bouquet will delight the eye for up to two weeks without special care, and some simple manipulations will help keep the flowers fresh for about a month.

In this article, we decided to tell you how to care for cut flowers alstroemeria. Caring for alstroemeria does not require any unique manipulations from the bouquet owner. It is enough to follow the standard rules for the care of flowers. 

Right away, let's solve a little secret; it's not difficult to do. Read, and remember how to enjoy alstroemeria as long as possible.

Alstroemeria is from South America

The Inca lily is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Alstromeria family. The flower is native to South America, where it grows wild on the slopes of the Andes. Alstromeria flowers were introduced to Europe in the 19th century by Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg and soon became one of the most popular indoor plants.

Since the plant was introduced to Europe, breeding efforts have begun worldwide, and today we can see wide new varieties and species of alstroemeria appear.

The alstroemeria's natural habitat is meadows, fields, and edges of forests. In the wild, this herbaceous perennial can grow up to a meter in height. But breeders have created wide varieties of dwarf alstroemeria that are perfect for bouquets.

Alstroemeria Bouquet Care

So you've learned a little bit about the history of alstroemeria. But now there are a thousand questions in your head about how to care for alstroemeria. Do not worry, you are not alone in this situation, because alstroemeria is not as popular as, for example, roses.

According to the generally accepted rules, caring for a cut bouquet of alstroemeria is not complicated and, with some exceptions, resembles the usual care of any flower. But still, there are some nuances that you should know if you want to prolong the life of your favourite alstroemeria flowers.

Let's start with the most basic and essential rules. And then, we will move on to the nuances:

Remove Bottom Leaves

When alstroemeria flowers last in a vase of water for a long time, the lower leaves deteriorate and rot. It is because the plant absorbs oxygen not only through the leaves but also through the stem. When the leaves are in the water, they lose their ability to gas exchange and begin to rot, leading to the entire stem and flower rotting.

To prevent this from happening, remove all the lower leaves from the stem before putting the alstroemeria flowers in a vase of water. Hold the stem under running water and gently pull back the leaves with your fingers.

After that, with sharp scissors or a knife, cut about 2-3 cm from the end of the stem at an angle.

Change the Water Daily

To properly care for alstroemeria, be sure to change the water in the vase every day. It is necessary because the plant quickly absorbs all the water's nutrients, and it begins to wilt after a day.

In addition, it is worth adding a special floral fertilizer to the water according to the instructions. It will help to nourish the plant and prolong its life.

Place Alstroemeria in Warm Water

How long do alstroemeria flowers last in a vase? For a long time, if you follow the temperature regime. The optimal water temperature in a vase for alstroemeria is 20-22 degrees Celsius. If the water is too cold, the plant will absorb it slowly and begin to wilt. If the water is too hot, the plant cells will burst, and the alstroemeria will quickly wilt.

You can check the temperature of the water with an ordinary kitchen thermometer. If you don't have one, dip your finger into the vase - it should be warm to the touch but not hot.

Place the Alstroemeria in a Bright Place

It's best to put the vase of flowers in a bright place but away from direct sunlight to make your alstroemeria bouquet live longer. The plant needs light for nourishment, but too much sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow and wilt.

The best place for an alstroemeria is near a window on the east or west side of the house. You can also place the vase on a table near a lamp.

Cut Off Dead Flowers

As the flowers of alstroemeria fade, they must be cut off. It is necessary to prolong the plant's life and stimulate the growth of new buds.

Hold the stem under running water and gently snap off the faded flower with your fingers.

 Bottom Line

As you can see, caring for an alstroemeria bouquet is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. By following these simple rules, you can prolong the life of your favourite flowers and enjoy their beauty for a long time.

And to have something to enjoy, you can find the best bouquets of alstroemeria here. We offer to your attention grown alstroemeria in combination with other flowers. You won't regret stopping at one of our colourful bouquets.

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