Alstroemeria bare root plants
Surrey,
United Kingdom 
I ordered 6 bare root plants back in June, and have just received a packet from the mail order company. They have sent about 9 single roots between 1 and 5 inches. They look quite healthy, but as I only got home late this evening, I am planning on getting up early tomorrow to plant them up before work. I would like to know what to do if I want to grow these on in a coldframe. When they said a bare root plant - I thought they would be in clumps, like Hardy Geraniums, not an individual root! Do they go into a pot flat or on their side, how big should the pot be, what type of compost should I use, how often should they be watered once they are in the pots etc. Hope people are awake to answer my question. Thanks!
1 Oct, 2009
Answers
Thank goodness you are - or I was going to have to put them in the fridge until Saturday - even though I'm not sure that would have done any good... How deep should I put them in the pot - as far down as they can comfortably go flat, or nearer to the surface? Sorry if these questions sound dim - I've never dealt with this sort of potting on before!
1 Oct, 2009
no not at all dim, my fault for not saying . about 2-3 " deep will be ok.
1 Oct, 2009
That's fab thank you. Have you tried these before? Oh, and one more question (sorry!) If I do not get up early tomorrow morning (which is looking less likely as I stay up all night on the internet) would I be ok to put them in the fridge? Or can I just leave them in the plastic bag until I can plant them on Saturday? Thanks again.
1 Oct, 2009
Leave them in the plastic bag, but not over a radiator or in the sun or near a hot cooker!
1 Oct, 2009
id wrap them in damp kitchen towel myself then not put them in the fridge. . sorry i went to bed before you posted again.
2 Oct, 2009
Lol! Thanks Bamboo - sensible advice. I was just about to pop them in the oven too! I didn't get out there this morning, so they are wrapped in damp tea towel now. Thanks for replying.
2 Oct, 2009
lol'-))
2 Oct, 2009
hi i am still awake. i would lay them horizontal/flat in a pot that is about 7"-8" diam and similar depth. any multipurpose compost will do. water well and pop in cold frame and just keep an eye on them so they dont dry out. they probably wont sprout until the spring so dont worry if nothing seems to grow until march/april.
1 Oct, 2009