Alstroemeria hybrida, 'Dandy Candy'

Germination

Sow directly in autumn. Sow indoors Feb-July. Seeds need a period of cold-warm-cold to germinate. Easiest to sow directly and allow natural winter cold to offer ideal conditions for germination the following spring as weather warms. Indoors, sow 6mm deep into moist, well-drained seed compost, add a layer of vermiculite. Propagate. Ideal temp. 20-25°C for 3 weeks then cold stratify. Move to 5°C for 3 weeks then return to warmth, 20°C for germination. Germination takes 30 days approx. but if sown directly in spring can take up to 1 year. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots or acclimatise and sow out.

Growing

Prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full or partial sun. Young plants are best left undisturbed to form clumps. Mulch for the first two winters. If you live in a cold area plant in pots and bring indoors over winter.

Cultivation

Propagate by division in autumn or very early spring. Pull stems up after flowering leaving the tubers in the ground.