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Re: Fwd: Alstroemeria

	I have a collection of hybrid alstroemeria in Sacramento, and have
collected seed in summer and autumn for several years.  I sow the seeds in
plug trays in autumn, moisten the soil, and leave the trays outside during
winter.  Our normal winter temperatures provide adequate chilling for the
seed.  
	Germination has generally been erratic.  Some seeds of a batch will
germinate in January, but other seeds of the same batch will not germinate
until February or March.  Watching for germinated seeds teaches patience!
I also need to be vigilant to protect the seedlings from snails and slugs.
	I generally transplant the seedlings to pots or bedding areas in April or
May, but I have left some seedlings in plug trays for up to a year.  By
this time the seedlings generally have small tuberous roots, approximately
one-half inch long.  I remove the seedlings from the plug trays by
inverting the seedling + soil plug into my cupped hand.  When planting the
seedling, I've found that as long as I handle the seedlings by grasping the
tuberous roots, the plants are pretty tough.  If I try to handle the
seedlings by grasping the leaves, I often bend the leaves or break them off
the plant.  
	I've found alstroemeria to be extremely tough plants, as long as they are
grown in soils that drain well.  I have grown them in pots and in beds, and
have never encountered problems with root disturbance.  If you break roots
off a plant, the loss will slow the plant's growth until they roots can be
replaced, but the plant will survive as along as the shoot tip is attached
to at least one tuberous root.  Although there isn't much cultural
information written for alstroemeria, I've found that the tips that are
published for cultivation of dahlias (in California) work well for
alstroemeria.  


	At 02:32 AM 10/16/97 -0400, you wrote:
>
>---------------------
>Forwarded message:
>Subj:    Alstroemeria
>Date:    97-10-14 17:56:30 EDT
>From:    Ccopuntia
>To:      seeds-list@eskimo.com
>
>I have just been given some freshly harvested Alstroemeria seeds.  After
>looking up the sowing instructions in several books, I've found the info to
>be a bit confusing.  Anybody have experience with these seeds they can share?
>
>The T&M catalog advises pre-chilling for 3 weeks, although none of my books
>mention it.  Necessary?  Also, the books advise a warm water soak for 12
>hours prior to sowing.  Another mentions that A. dislikes root disturbance,
>so I'm thinking of sowing in plug trays.  This will be under controlled
>conditions using flourescents, with temps between 65-70.  
>
>Thank you in advance for any thoughts on the subject.   C. Carter, CA/Z9
>
>
>
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