The alkali lily is a delicate, almost exotic flower that looks very elegant in the garden. So read here how you can plant the inca plant.
The Alstroemeria, which actually comes from the subtropics, is certainly one of the most popular varieties of garden lilies. Especially since it thrives quite well in our latitudes and is available in garden shops in many bright colors - mostly even multicolored. The Alstroemeria is also ideal as a cut flower and looks extremely decorative in glass vases.
Hint:
If you want to spice up a rather simple bouquet, then just put a few lilies in between. This way the bouquet looks much more elegant.
Growing Lilies
You can plant the alkali lily as a perennial that can reach a height of between 50 and 100 centimeters. You can achieve the perennial form by planting at least 3 to 5 individual lilies as a group about 20 centimeters apart in the garden bed.
Hint:
You can grow lilies from seeds on a sunny window sill from March onwards.
When planting, you should then make sure that you choose a moderately sunny and wind-protected location for this filigree summer flower. A nutrient-rich, water-permeable soil is clearly the best choice. You should enrich this with humus in good time before planting the alkali lily. By the way, you can also plant lilies in pots.
Care for alkali lilies properly
» Overwintering:
Inca lilies are only conditionally hardy and must either overwinter in a frost-free room or remain well protected outdoors. In the meantime, however, specialist retailers also offer hardy varieties.
Hint:
Dig up the rhizomes in late autumn and overwinter them in moist soil in a frost-free room (handle as for dahlias). After the ice saints, you can then bring them back into the open air. You can also cover the outdoor plants with straw and additionally cover them with a jute cloth (weight it down with stones).
» Fertilize:
During growth and flowering - the Alstroemeria blooms every yearfrom June to October - they also need regular fertilizer, which you can add about every two weeks via the irrigation water.
» casting:
You have to adapt the amount of irrigation water to the current weather situation and you should also avoid waterlogging around the plant. The soil must also not harden. If necessary, you must periodically loosen the soil with a rake.
» multiply:
Once the Alstroemeria have developed into magnificent plants, you can easily propagate them by dividing the rhizomes in spring.