An Encyclopedia of Horticulture. 



57 



Alstromeria — continued. 

 panulate ; inner segments narrower, two of which are 

 somewhat tubnlose at the base ; stamens included within, 

 ajid inserted with perianth ; stigma tritid. Leaves linear, 

 lanceolate, or ovate, and resupinate, or inverted in position 

 by the twisting of the petiole. Cultivation : Few plants 

 need less attention to grow them successfully, either in pota 

 or planted out. The best position for those kinds which 

 succeed outside is a deep and dry, sloping, sheltered border, 

 in a compost of two-parts peat and leaf soil, and one loam 

 with some sharp sand. Water freely if severe drought 



Alstromeria— f07i(i')ii(ed. 

 fleshy roots are readily separated into as many pieces as 

 there are crowns ; this operation may be performed during 

 September or October, or February and March ; but it 

 must be done carefully. Except for the sake of increase, 

 the less they are disturbed the better. They are excellent 

 subjects for pot culture (some can only be managed thus, 

 unless planted out in a house), and may be potted as early 

 in the autumn as possible, in Sin., lOin., or 12in. pots. 

 Thorough drainage is essential ; arrange the crocks care- 

 fully, and place a layer of thin tui-fy loam over them. A 



"A.^' ,;"'T>' 



Fig. 65. Alsopiiii-a Rebecce. 



sets in ; a surface covering of common moss, or cut fern 

 in winter, will prove an advantage. They are very effec- 

 tive in masses. Propagation : They may be increased by 

 seed or root division. Sow the former when ripe, or in 

 early spring, thinly in pans, pots, or boxes, and place in a cool 

 house or frame, so that they will receive some fostering in 

 their early stages. The seedlings should be pricked out 

 singly, when large enough to handle, and grown on till well 

 established under glass. A mixtm-e of peat, leaf mould, 

 and sandy loam, is the best compost in which to sow the 

 seeds and grow the young plants. When sufficiently esta- 

 blished, they may be placed in a warm sheltered spot 

 outside, and about 1ft. apart. The fasciculated masses of 



compost of equal parts turfy loam, leaf mould, and fibrous 

 peat, with an abundance of sand, mil suit them admirably. 

 Water sparingly at first, but when root-action is fully 

 resumed, they must never be allowed to get dry. Support 

 the stems by staking when they requii'e it, and just 

 previous to flowering, top-dress with some rotten manure 

 and leaf soil. Occasional syringings will be necessary 

 to keep down red spider, especially if the atmosphere is 

 very dry. As the plants finish flowering, and the leaves 

 fade, gradually diminish the supply of water until the 

 stems are quite down, when they may be placed somewhere 

 out of the way, free from frost, for the winter, but not kept 

 dry enough to make them shrivel. In repotting, as much ol 



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