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Alstroemeria longistaminea

This is a close look at the beautiful Alstroemeria longistaminea from the forests of Brazil.  It's quite different from the common Alstroemeria seen in floral arrangements.  Its unusual blooms have a delectable color combination of bubblegum pink and apple green.  My camera has a hard time capturing their color, but the pink is really intense!  It flowers profusely over a long season, providing a wonderful splash of color indoors or out.  This is an awesome and easy plant that deserves to become very popular.  It is seldom seen for sale.

Alstroemeria longistaminea

Its tubers send up numerous attractive shoots about 1½ to 2 feet tall.  Most of these stems are topped with blooms - usually about 8 to 14 per cluster.  The nodding, tear-drop shape of the blooms helps deflect water during Brazil's rainy season.  The stems make great cut flowers for arrangements!  The plant typically flowers for about half the year, and then the tubers go dormant for a few months.  This is a true species, not a cultivated hybrid.

Alstroemeria longistaminea

In the right conditions, it is easy to grow and quite vigorous.  It comes from a warm climate in Brazil, and while it can tolerate cool conditions, it seems to be happiest above 60 degrees F (15°C).  This forest plant doesn't need much sun, just bright light.  It might need some protection from strong afternoon sun.  It grows well in a pot in well-draining soil that's kept evenly moist during the growing season.  While the tubers are dormant, keep the soil slightly moist (not wet, not fully dry).

Alstroemeria longistaminea

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Tips on planting the rhizomes

 

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Turquoise Puya

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