Gro 'n Sell
Alstroemeria for Professionals(18)
Oooh, this is some fancy Alstroemeria! By all accounts, Alstroemeria is one of the best cut flower crops out there, but it has had an image problem. It went from a relatively unknown flower to a commodity crop back in the mid-90's. It is super productive, ships well, and lasts forever which put it in the low brow category along with mums, carnations, roses and baby's breath. Of course we know all of those crops can be lovey in the right hands. HilverdaFlorirst has made some major advancements in the breeding of Alstroemeria and I've been begging them to let us sell them for quite some time. They have finally agreed!
This product line has some stipulations that are unlike our other crops. The breeder generally works with large scale international growers who produce acres of a single variety. The way most of us do things in America is new to them. Because of the way that Alstroemeria spreads by underground rhizomes it means they are very easy to propagate. If unscrupulous plant pirates (yes these exist) got ahold of these genetics it could cause real financial damage to the breeder. We negotiated with them that each grower would be required to produce a minimum of 72 plants. (they wanted 500 each to begin with so we appreciate their cooperation!) This comes out to 4 trays, of 18 plants per variety. You are most welcome to order more.
We have sold garden variety Alstroemeria in the past which are lovely but are nothing like these. These are truly a crop for professionals. Like professional professionals. Are you ready? Read the fine print.
They are expensive! You are required to pay a 5 year royalty payment up front. Large scale growers pay royalties annually based on actual production, but this it too cumbersome for the small and medium scale grower. So with purchase you have covered your obligation to the breeder for your first 5 seasons. If you choose to keep them growing for longer you will have the option to pay an annual royalty going forward.
You will be required to sign a legally binding contract with HilverdaFlorist. This is not optional. Within a few days of making your purchase, we'll send this to you via DocuSign. If you do not sign the contract your order will be terminated and refunded less a 10% processing fee. (Of course if we are unable to deliver your plants for any reason on our end you will be refunded in full, with no fees as usual) You can see the contract here. It's not scary. It's just a professional agreement typical of production in the rest of the world.
You may not split an order with another grower. All 72 (or more) plants must be planted at the disclosed location. We often recommend splitting orders to help meet minimums, but in this case it is not allowed. While it is unlikely that the breeder would do any on farm inspections the breeder does reserve the right to do so. Knowing where their plants growing is as a condition of sale.
The Pacific Northwest is an ideal climate for Alstroemeria. I have seen big beds of it growing in the field in Washington and Oregon where it is almost too prolific. It is adaptable in other areas but prefers a cool moderate situation. It would be happy across the northern tier of the US in a heated greenhouse or minimally heated tunnel. In general we think of Alstroemeria as being hardy to zone 7, but not all of these varieties have been tested under all conditions. I wouldn't worry if they get a frost, but I woudn't subject them to heavy freeze and thaw cycles. It is commercially produced in greenhouses in Minnesota and Ontario. In hot southern climates it may go semi dormant in the summer. Keep water to a minimum if you are in this situation. Prolonged hot and wet conditions may lead to rot.
Alstroemeria spreads by underground rhizomes and doesn't really like growing in a pot. You will be underwhelmed on arrival as you won't see much top growth on your plants. But when you take them out of the pot you will see big fleshy roots ready to spread out. We only guarantee that your plants are viable on arrival, not that they will be gorgeous. Alstroemeria will produce bigger and more vigorous clumps each year. It essentially propagates itself. You may not propagate additional plants, but you are encouraged to let the plants do their thing. By the second season your beds will be full of stems edge to edge. You will likely want some wide netting or at least to corral the plants as some of these varieties will get taller than you. Harvest just before opening. For local sales harvesting a bit open is also an option.
Variety selection and Availabilty
We have curated a list of what we we think will be most popular with you, but we may be wrong. If you look at the HilverdaFlorist website, see a variety that you have to have, and agree to purchase at least 32 of them (2 trays) we will do our best to add them. Some are simply not available this year, which is why we aren't listing them at this time. If this program goes well we will add new varieties each year. Please kcommunciate your needs with us so we don't have to guess! If something shows as sold out, in most cases we can get more. Email us with your desired order (remember, 4 tray minimum) and will do our best to secure availability. Gro n Sell and HilverdaFlorist are being very flexible with us to meet your exact desires and we are most appreciative.
Fashionista is a revolutionary new style of Alstroemeria. The typical spray of flowers has fused into one large focal flower measuring at least 4" across. It has the same lasting ability of the spray types in a whole new look. It is all the rage in Europe right now and will command a premium price.
Florinca is also a breeding breakthrough. Instead of producing 5 or 6 florets at the end of the stem it produces a 5 or 6 sprays of smaller flowers. Jade is a unique color and we expect many of you will be excited to try it.
Standards The other 11 varieties wold be considered standard types as they have the habit and shape we associate with Alstroemeria. In contrast to traditional Alstro many of these are lacking the stripes in the throat of the flower giving them a cleaner more versatile appearance. We have also chose the softest pastel and wedding colors as we feel the market is ready to accept these subtle beauties. They generally have larger flowers than what we currently know of Alstro.
These will ship in week 12-16 only, and cannot be ordered with other GnS Perennials.
Plants are grown in 4" pots, sold in quanties of 18 per vareity
Customer minimum order of 72 total plants. Available weeks 12-16.
About Tray Sizes (please read)
210 and 125 cell trays are full-sized trays, and three of these will fit in a shipping box.
50 cell trays are half-sized trays (unless otherwise noted) and two of these are the equivalent of one full sized tray. Six of these will fit in a shipping box. These trays are long and skinny. (Think hotdogs). There are not compatible with 25 cell half trays. Scoop scabiosa, veronica, solidago, gypsophila, hypericum, herbs, some tweedia, and others are grown in the 50 cell tray.
*Chrysanthemums are grown in the same 50 cell half tray as mentioned above, but due to their height, they take up twice as much space. So TWO half trays of mums takes up 2/3 of the box.
25 cell half trays are also half-sized trays, but they are short and square. (Think hamburgers). These are not compatible with 50 cell half trays. Limonium and astrantia are grown in this tray.
Gerberas are also grown in a 25 cell half tray, but are tall that the others, and FOUR of these half trays of gerberas fills a box.
18 and 32 cell trays are full sized trays specifically for our vernalized perennials. These have their own set of shipping rules (find details HERE) and cannot be combined with items grown in 210, 125, or 50 cell trays.
Growing Guides
Click here to access all of our comprehensive growing guides.
| Common Name | Alstroemeria, Peruvian lily |
| Genus | Alstroemeria |
| Species | A. pelegrina |
| Family | Alstroemeriaceae |
| Life Cycle | Herbaceous Perennial |
| Format | Perennial Plugs |
| Plug Care | You will likely receive these plugs as actively growing plants. They should be hardened off and planted out immediately if the chance of frost has passed, or bumped up into larger pots and grown on. Do not hold for a long period of time in the containers they arrive in or else they will become rootbound. |
| Netting / Staking | Not necessary for the Summer Paradise cultivars. |
| Temperature Range | Cold hardy to at least zone 7b (and possibly as cold as 5b - trial at your own risk!). The Summer Paradise series is tolerant of hot and weather as well, making them suitable for a wide range of climates. |
| Spacing | 18-22" |
| Soil Preference | Loose, fertile, moist but well draining soil. They require regular irrigation and fertilization to stay productive all season long. |
| Day Length | Plant in full sun, some partial afternoon shade in hot summer climates is OK. |
| Pinching | Not necessary. |
| When to Plant | Plant in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. If the plants come in a dormant state they can be planted before the last frost and will wake up and grow as the temperature warms. New growth must be protected from frost. |
| Harvesting | Depending on your zone and the point at which these perennials come out of dormancy, the Summer Paradise series has the ability to flower from May through to November, or first frost. To harvest alstroemeria it is better to tug and twist the stem to harvest, similar to how you harvest rhubarb. Do not use snips to cut the stem. Harvesting this way encourages the plant to develop new bloom spikes. |
| Post Harvest Care | After pulling the stem to harvest, snip the end off the stem to get a clean cut and immediately place into cool water. Store in a cooler at 36-38F for up to a week - vase life is approximately 2 weeks. Alstroemeria are very ethylene sensitive and exposure to the gas can cause premature flower fall and translucent petals. Use a floral preservative to maximize vase life and insure not all leaves are removed from around the flowers as they aid in water uptake and hydration. |
| Diseases / Insects |
Overwatering and Overcrowding can promote the development of fugal issues (leaf spot, fusarium wilt, anthracnose) which will present itself with spotting on leaves or mold growing on and around the roots. Cutting stems instead of the recommended harvest technique of twisting and pulling will leave behind plant residue that will rot and can lead to fungal issues. As with most of our crops, alstroemeria are susceptible to aphids, white flies and thrips. Slug and snail damage can be an issue in wetter areas. |
| Bailey's Notes |
The early generations of Alstroemeria weren't very well adapted to US growing conditions. They tended to not be very winter hardy, and not very tolerant of summer heat, which made them unsuitable for most of us. The Summer series may be what we have been waiting for. They are hardy at least to zone 7b (and possibly as cold as 5b- trial at your own risk!), aren't bothered by summer heat, and they're tall enough to cut! As they mature they will reach 3' in height. They also keep blooming all summer long as long as you keep cutting them. They do require regular water and good drainage. Alstroemeria, or Peruvian Lily were brought into cut flower cultivation in the '90's and then immediately became a mass-market darling because of their broad color range and extremely long lasting nature. |
| Resources |