914 



PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GARDEN PLANTS alstrcemeeia 



growth they like a sufficient supply of 

 moisture, but when at rest the bulbs 

 should be kept as dry as possible if they 

 are not taken up every autumn — say about 

 September. In this case the bulbs may 

 be kept in sand during the winter months 

 free from frost, and about the ^nd of 

 March they and their offsets may be 

 replanted in the open border. Seeds are 

 sometimes freely produced and should be 

 sown in cold frames or greenhouses as 

 soon as ripe. They germinate the follow- 

 ing spring, and the second or third year 

 after sowing produce flowers. Owing to 

 the slender nature of the flower stems 

 they should be supported by means of 

 thin stakes. In a cut state the flowers 

 last a long time in fresh water and are 

 useful for decorations. 



I. kolpakowskianum. — A rare species 

 native of Turkestan where it has been 

 foimd at an elevation of 3000-6000 ft. 

 The bulbs are only about half the size of 

 I. montanwm, with tufts of grassy leaves. 

 The blue or whitish flowers are borne in 

 April and May, and are composed of very 

 narrow segments about 1 in. long, and 

 cohering loosely at the base. 



Culture dc. as above. 



I. montunam {I. Pallasi ; Alstrosmeria 

 montana ; A. triflora ; Amaryllis tnon- 

 tcma). — A distinct and beautiful plant 

 from Western Asia with ovoid bulbs about 

 1 in. in diameter, and with a neck 2-3 

 in. below the lower tuft of grassy leaves. 

 The bright lilac funnel-shaped or some- 

 what spreading flowers are borne in loose 

 and graceful umbels in early summer, and 

 have the segments distinctly 3-5-ribbed. 

 The variety tatcvricum (or Ledehouri) 

 has more slender stems and awl-shaped 

 leaves, and flowers somewhat smaller 

 than in the type. The form known in 

 gardens as macramthum has much larger 

 flowers than the type. There is a good 

 deal of variation in the colour, which is 

 sometimes very deep and sometimes pale. 



Culture dc. as above. 



ALSTRCEMERIA (Peruvian Lily). 

 This genus is remarkable in having no 

 bulbs but a mass of thickened or tuberous 

 roots from which spring leafy stems bear- 

 ing clusters or umbels of richly coloured 

 and often spotted flowers, with a more or 

 less irregular limb, the lower segment of 

 the inner row especially being different 

 from the others, while the 3 outer seg- 



ments differ in shape from the inner ones. 

 The linear lance-shaped or ovate leaves 

 are inverted by the twisting of the stalk. 



Culture and Propagation. — When 

 grown in large masses or beds, Alstroe- 

 merias are very effective and showy 

 plants in the flower garden. They require 

 a deep rich and well-drained soil com- 

 posed of sandy loam and leaf soil, and 

 also well-rotted manure added some 

 weeks before planting. A warm sheltered 

 position with a more or less southern 

 aspect suits them best, especially near 

 a south wall or thick hedge. During 

 active growth and the hot summer mouths 

 copious waterings may be given, and a 

 mulching of well-rotted cow or stable 

 manure will impart additional vigour to 

 the plants, and enable the flower stems to 

 stand erect without being staked. The 

 period of flowering may be considerably 

 lengthened by cutting away the fading 

 flower stalks as early as possible. As the 

 blossoms last well in a cut state they are 

 useful for indoor decoration, and their 

 detachment from the plant is beneficial to 

 the latter. 



Alstroemerias are readily increased by 

 carefully separating the clusters of fleshy 

 roots into as many pieces as there are 

 crowns either about September when the 

 foliage is browning, or in early spring just 

 as growth is about to begin. The plants, 

 however, are best left undisturbed unless 

 there is urgent need to increase the stock. 

 Seeds may also be saved, and sown very 

 thinly in cold frames or greenhouses in 

 shallow boxes, pans or pots when ripe or 

 in early spring. When the seedlings are 

 large enough to handle they should be 

 pricked out into a nice compost of sandy 

 loam, leaf soil and a little peat, and grown 

 on in a greenhouse until established. 

 They are best left growing in pots or pans 

 for the first year, as owing to their brittle 

 nature they are readily injured if trans- 

 planted to the open border when too 

 young. 



The best time for planting Alstroeme- 

 rias is probably in March or April accord- 

 ing to the season an^ the state of the 

 weather. The roots should be buried about 

 6 or 9 inches deep, and about 1 ft. should 

 separate one plant from another. Although 

 fairly hardy, it is wise in severe winters, 

 especially in northern parts, to take the 

 precaution of covering the plants with 

 leaves or litter as a protection against 

 frost and cold rains, so as to keep the 



