Alstroemeria patagonica

[Maren]

Hi, I'm quite new to alpines but an experienced grower of the sort of alstromeorias you can get in England.

Recently I have seen a number of beautiful presentations featuring alstromoerias from Patagonia. The ones I liked best were in the red/orange spectrum and fairly dwarf.

Does anyone know where to get seed of these lovely plants? I am sure they would grow very well in my corner of England.

[Maggi Young]

Chileflora are one source, Maren.   http://www.chileflora.com/

 Diane W mentioned their seed just today,  here : http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8596.0

[Ezeiza]

Maren, they should be grown as species tulips. Perhaps a bulb frame would suit better than any other method.

[PeterT]

Could you say a little more about their growing cycles and their seasons please Alberto?

[Maren]

Thank you, I shall try to get some.

[Ezeiza]

After a dry summer autumn rains activate the roots. Snow cover keep the rootstock cool and dryish. Spring snow melt encourage leaf and flower production. By late spring the cycle is over. Higher in the mountains the season gets delayed until flowering occurs in summer but basically this is the cycle for most Patagonian bulbs.

[PeterT]

Thankyou Alberto,
sometimes it is hard to work out what plants from other climates should do. Some Alstromerias will grow Winter and Summer here, with a 'dormant' Spring and possiably Automne. I imagine, from what you say, that this means they interpret mild winters as Spring, and damp Summers as another spring season. Sometimes this behavior makes them look like summer growers.