Alstromeria
(in honour of Baron Alstromer, a Swedish botanist, friend of Linnaeus). ORD. Amaryllideae. Tall handsome stove, half-hardy, or hardy tuberous-rooted plants, with leafy stems and terminal umbels of richly-coloured flowers. Perianth regular, six-parted, subcampanulate; inner segments narrower, two of which are somewhat tubulose at the base; stamens included within, and inserted with perianth; stigma trifid. 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 pots 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 sets in; a surface covering of common moss, or cut fern in winter, will prove an advantage. They are very effective 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 mixture of peat, leaf mould, and sandy loam, is the best compost in which to sow the seeds and grow the young plants. When sufficiently established, they may be placed in a warm sheltered spot outside, and about 1ft. apart. The fasciculated masses of 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 8in., 10in., or 12in. pots. Thorough drainage is essential; arrange the crocks carefully, and place a layer of thin turfy loam over them. A compost of equal parts turfy loam, leaf mould, and fibrous peat, with an abundance of sand, will 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 require 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 of the old soil as is practicable should be removed, without seriously disturbing the roots, and the plants shifted into larger or the same sized pots, according to their condition. Alstromerias were at one time much more largely grown than they are at present, and the genus was represented in nearly every garden.
A. aurantiaca (golden).* fl. orange; two upper perianth segments lanceolate, streaked with red; arranged in a five to six stalked umbel, bearing ten to fifteen blooms. Summer and autumn. l. numerous, linear-elliptical, obtuse, glaucous, twisted and turned back at the base, about 4 1/2in. long. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Chili, 1831. A variable but very showy species, quite hardy. A. caryophyllaea (clove-like scent).* fl. scarlet; very fragrant, perianth two-lipped; peduncles longer than the involucre. February and March. l. spathulate-oblong. Stem erect. h. 8in. to 12in. Brazil, 1776. This stove species requires perfect rest in winter. SYN. A. Ligtu. A. chilensis (Chilian).* fl. blood-red or pink, large, the two upper interior petals longer and narrower, variegated with yellow lines; in pairs on a five to six stalked umbel. Summer and autumn. l. scattered, obovate, spathulate; upper ones lanceolate, twisted at the base, minutely fringed on the edges, glaucescent. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Chili, 1849. Hardy. There are many varieties of this species, varying in colour from a rosy white to a deep orange or red. A. densiflora (thickly-flowered).* fl., perianth scarlet, dotted with black spots inside towards the base; umbels many-flowered, dense; pedicels pubescent, rarely bracteated. l. alternate, ovate, shortly acuminate, pubescent underneath. Stem climbing, glabrous. Peru, 1865. Tender species. A. Flos Martini (St. Martin's flower). Synonymous with A. pulchra. A. Hookeri (Hooker's). Synonymous with A. Simsii.
A. Ligtu (Ligtu). Synonymous with A. caryophyllaea.
A. Pelegrina (the native name).* fl. white, or pale yellow, striped with rose, and yellow spot on each segment; pedicels one-flowered, on a six or more stalked umbel. Summer. l. lanceolate, twisted at the base. h. 1ft. Chili, 1754. Rather tender.
A. p. alba (white).* Lily of the Incas. fl. white. Perhaps this is the most chaste of all the Alstromerias, and more tender than many others; it should have a specially warm spot, or the protection of glass. 1877. A. peruviana (Peruvian). Synonymous with A. versicolor. A. psittacina (parrot-like).* fl. bright crimson at the base, greenish upwards, spotted with purple; upper perianth segments slightly hooded, hence the specific name; umbels many-flowered; peduncles angular. September. l. oblong-lanceolate, acute, twisted at the base. Stem erect, spotted. h. 6ft. Mexico, 1829. Hardy.
A. p. Erembaulti (Erembault's). fl. white, spotted with purple. August. h. 2ft. 1833. A beautiful but rather tender hybrid.
A. pulchella (pretty). Synonymous with A. Simsii.
A. pulchra (fair).* St. Martin's Flower. fl. in umbels of from four to eight in each; the lower perianth segments purplish outside, and edges of a sulphur-white; the upper part of the upper segments of a fine yellow, dotted with deep red spots, the lower part of a flesh colour; pedicels twisted. l. linear lanceolate. Stem erect. h. 1ft. Chili, 1822. A beautiful species, but one requiring protection. SYNS. A. Flos Martini, A. tricolor. A. rosea (rosy). A synonym of A. Simsii.
A. Simsii (Sims's).* fl. brilliant yellow, with red streaks, very showy; umbels many-flowered; peduncles two-flowered. June. l. spathulate, ciliated. Stem weak. h. 3ft. Chili, 1822. Hardy species. SYNS. A. Hookeri, A. pulchella, A. rosea.
A. tricolor (three-coloured). A synonym of A. pulchra. A. versicolor (various coloured).* fl. yellow, with purple marks; lowest segment the broadest; umbel of usually three shortly-stalked blooms, very floriferous. Late summer. l. linear-lanceolate, sessile, scattered. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Peru, 1831. This is a very robust species, with several beautiful varieties, which are both easily obtained and very cheap. SYN. A. peruviana. A. v. niveo-marginata (snowy-margined).* fl. rose, crimson and white, with green tips and black spots. l. lanceolate, stalked, white-edged. 1875. A charming but scarce variety.