OverWintering Alstroemerias

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by ricky101, Oct 3, 2022.

  1. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2016
    Messages:
    3,420
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Sheffield
    Ratings:
    +4,338
    Hi,

    We got some large plug plants earlier this year and they have grown very well in pots outdoors and produced quiet large plants, approx 3ft x3ft ; being able to pull out the whole spent flowering stems from the roots as they say we should.

    As they are in pots seems it best to keep them in a frost free place overwinter but wondered how do you deal with the foliage when bringing inside before the frost particularly as they still have lots of flowers?

    Do we just let it die back, cut it off at soil level or pull them out like the flowering stems ?


    001431.jpg
     
  2. noisette47

    noisette47 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2013
    Messages:
    6,450
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
    Ratings:
    +15,734
    Hello Ricky, I'd let them die back naturally if you can. Pulling live, flowering stems is likely to bring the tuber with it, and cutting the leaves off will deprive the plants of energy for next year.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jun 3, 2008
      Messages:
      32,382
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +49,788
      They might not even defoliate overwinter in a frost free place, just let them do their own thing. Mine sometimes send up occasional flowers in the greenhouse.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • strongylodon

        strongylodon Old Member

        Joined:
        Feb 12, 2006
        Messages:
        14,983
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Wareham, Dorset
        Ratings:
        +29,827
        I have always left mine in the ground, the new growth in Spring can get cut back by late frosts but always recover quickly. I do pull out dead flowering stems.
         
        • Agree Agree x 2
        • Like Like x 1
        • ricky101

          ricky101 Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 15, 2016
          Messages:
          3,420
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Sheffield
          Ratings:
          +4,338
          Thanks all, they seem very good and colourful plants, not sure why we have not grown them before.

          Saw a film clip of a uk commercial grower of these plants and he had a grid of wire or similar over the beds to hold the stems up.
          When in pots they can sag over the side a bit too much, was thinking of making some form of elevated hoop to help hold them in place next year.

          Do you use any support methods ?
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • CarolineL

            CarolineL Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 12, 2016
            Messages:
            1,983
            Gender:
            Female
            Occupation:
            Retired Software engineer
            Location:
            Rural Carmarthenshire
            Ratings:
            +5,103
            The really dwarf alstros are fine without, but I like the ones about a metre tall - and they are floppy. I use link stakes so that I can adjust the shape of the corral to the clump. Wilko do their own version of link stakes that seem reasonably solid
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • Agree Agree x 1
            • Spruce

              Spruce Glad to be back .....

              Joined:
              Apr 10, 2009
              Messages:
              8,776
              Gender:
              Male
              Ratings:
              +12,361
              I keep mine in pots ,,, they go in the greenhouse over winter...

              A lot of the varieties were grown for the floristry trade so yes some are very tall .. and need staking ... do you know the trick once a stem is finished flowering dont cut but pull the stem out the soil ...
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Spruce

                Spruce Glad to be back .....

                Joined:
                Apr 10, 2009
                Messages:
                8,776
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +12,361
                I grow Rock n Roll its a stunner and not too tall and I dont stake

                [​IMG]
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 15, 2016
                  Messages:
                  3,420
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Sheffield
                  Ratings:
                  +4,338
                  Yes , thanks, our three as in the top picture are about 3ft tall and wide so do need a little support to keep then neat when in pots.
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

                    Joined:
                    Jun 3, 2008
                    Messages:
                    32,382
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Surrey
                    Ratings:
                    +49,788
                    You do the same when picking them for a vase , pull up don't cut.
                     
                    • Agree Agree x 1
                    Loading...

                    Share This Page

                    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                      Dismiss Notice