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Care and Handling (ALSTROEMERIA, PERUVIAN LILY)
Supplemental
care and marketing tips: When re-cutting, remove the whitish or
blanched bottom portion of the stem, if present, for maximum solution
uptake and life. Leaf removal will reduce vase life if enough flowers
are not present for solution uptake. Flowers grown in cooler (55-60
degrees Fahrenheit) climates last longer than ones grown under warmer
(60-65 degrees Fahrenheit) conditions. Since alstroemeria is a member
of the amaryllis family from which many pharmaceutical products are
derived, it s not surprising that some humans get allergic dermatitis
from this species. See page 166 of this manual for additional
dermatitis information.
Botanical name: Alstroemeria spp.
Genus pronunciation: al-stre-MEE-ri-a
Common relatives: Onion, daffodil, agapanthus, nerine and kaffir lily, although in a different family.
Botanical
fun facts: The Swedish Consul in Spain, Klas Alstroemer, had seeds of
this species brought to Europe in 1754. The famous plant taxonomist
Carl Linnaeus, a friend of Alstroemer, subsequently named the species
after him.
Ethylene sensitive: It is ethylene sensitive.
Storage temperature (three days or fewer): 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit
Storage temperature (more than three days): 32-34 degrees Fahrenheit
Purchasing hints: At least one flower per stem should be open at time of purchase. Purchase only by cultivar name.
End-user life: 6 to 14 plus days (varies greatly by cultivar)
Special
concerns: Special concerns: Ethylene-induced damages include
transparent petals and flower fall. Cultivar-specific leaf yellowing is
also a problem aggravated by some fresh-flower foods. It is easier to
use cultivars that do not exhibit leaf yellowing than to have to treat
them with anti-yellowing solutions, solutions that are often hard to
locate. Grow and purchase cultivars that are less ethylene sensitive
and less prone to leaf yellowing.
What are we going to do with him.