Alstroemeria

Fides’ Inticancha alstroemeria series has been bred specifically for pot plant use. The genetically dwarf, free-flowering plants are available in nine varieties. One 2-inch rhizome liner can fill an 8- to 12-inch pot. Plants should not be grown in smaller pots because the rhizomes will not have adequate space to develop.

The liners should be planted into a well-drained growing medium (i.e. 60 percent peat and 40 percent coco fiber) with a pH of 5.5 and electrical conductivity of 1.0.
 
Liners planted in the fall should receive a minimum 24-hour average temperature of 54°F-57°F. Keep the humidity below 85 percent to prevent Botrytis.
 
The natural light levels in North America are high enough so that lighting is not a critical issue. The production time for the plants is about 16-20 weeks. Fall planting production takes longer than spring plantings because of the seasonal lower light levels.
 
Inticancha Sunday and Sunlight have a more vigorous habit and grow larger than the other varieties. These two are better suited for outdoor production or in areas like the southern United States that have higher light levels. The other varieties can be produced both indoor or outdoors.
 
Moisten the medium thoroughly, but do not overwater to avoid root rot diseases. Fertilize with a standard soluble fertilizer with trace elements (i.e., 14-14-28). Maintain an electrical conductivity level of 2.0. This level can be gradually increased to 2.5 later in the production cycle to stimulate flower initiation.
 
Plants can be moved to final spacing six to eight weeks after planting. Plants grown too close won’t achieve a rounded, compact shape. Plants should not require any plant growth regulators.
 
Plants don’t need to be pinched. Growers should remove blind shoots, which causes the plants to induce flowers in new shoots. Plants can be sold with a minimum of two to three open flower rosettes.
Insect pests can include slugs, thrips, aphids, spider mites and whitefly. 
 
For more: Fides North America, (805) 525 7125; www.fidesnorthamerica.com
 

1. Inticancha White Pink Heart, 2. Inticancha Sunlight, 3. Inticancha Sunday, 4. Inticancha Creamy Dark Pink, 5. Inticancha Red, 6. Inticancha White Pink Blush, 7. Inticancha Dark Purple.