The Garden Community for Garden Lovers
 

Shropshire, United Kingdom Gb

Alstromeria "Indian Summer".

This morning I received in the post a Alstromeria - Indian summer plant. I had been lusting after one since last year and after being told by a fellow member that they were being sold at half price I ordered one. Probably a bit silly as I now have to get it through the winter. Can anyone give me some advice on how to do this. It is in a 2L pot but the roots are just starting to come through the bottom. So
1. Do I repot it now rather then plant out?
2. If so, what is the best compost to use?
3. If I have to keep in a pot over winter, my greenhouse is not heated so would by a cooler, window in my conservatory be ok or a cooler window in our workshop office be better. (Office not so bright)
Sorry, think I'm looking for an idiots guide on how not to kill it over winter so I don't have to admit to hubby that I was a bit of an idiot in buying it now and not waiting till next spring :-). Thanks for any help and advise you can give me.
Jen




Answers

 

I think I'd risk planting it out, as its in a 2l pot and its only just starting to get cold, which means the soil will still be warm. Harden it off first if its been inside, and so long as the temperatures haven't dropped to -5C day and night by then, plant it, mulch round it to give it extra protection. Listed as H4 by the RHS (hardy throughout most of the UK -10 to -5 degrees C)

1 Nov, 2017

 

Thank you Bamboo. Will do as you suggested. :-)

1 Nov, 2017

 

If the winter turns out to be a humdinger, you can always cut the bottom off a 5 litre water bottle, leave the top off, and stand it over the top of the plant. Either that or pile up more mulch over the top once its died down below ground.

1 Nov, 2017

 

Thanks again. Love the idea about water bottle, have added to next weeks shopping list so will have it ready if needed. Must admit, I am ashamed to admit, that I have never mulched in my life so had been looking up on net on now to do it but you saying about covering the crown once plant had died down explained it better then anything I had found on net. Thanks again Jen

2 Nov, 2017

 

I don't know whether you want this info or not, but here it is anyway

A mulch is anything you place on the soil in a layer, and can be organic or inorganic, so things like bark chips, composted animal manure, good garden compost, pebbles, stones, chippings, slate, even shredded paper or shredded cardboard. A 2 inch layer prevents weed germination; an organic layer such as composted manure will get taken into the soil over time by various creatures in the soil, and improve the soil and growing conditions for plants. Without digging, which has to be a bonus!

You'll only need the 5l bottle if the winter is like 2010 - below zero day and night for a few days, doesn't matter about a bit of snow, that acts like an insulating layer anyway.

2 Nov, 2017

 

Lol. I understand about bottle. We live about 5 miles from the nearest town and the supermarket there not very good. Never manage to get all my shopping list, so if I buy one now then already have it just in case.

Will look for composted manure as my soil is not very good and Sandy. Had to get rid of previous owners compost piles as they had been used as a rubbish pile as well. Not rotted my leaves as had canker on one tree and problems on another one that you told me about. Thanks for all the information, really appreciate it. Jen

2 Nov, 2017

 

I live in the south west, don't know where you are, and can confirm they're tougher than you might think.
I grew a dozen different types in my last garden and found them to be as tough as old boots and invasive.
I gardened on thin, poor, stoney, soil and this appears to suit them just fine.
They survived frosts easily - indeed flowering right up until those started, and actually not dying back at all, there was no need to lift them or baby them they just did their own thing.
They are a great perennial and are available in various sizes and colours.

4 Nov, 2017

 

Thank you Louise 1. I moved to Shropshire 2 years ago from Kent. Still getting used to what the weather will throw at me up here and fairly new at taking gardening a bit more seriously. The 1st one I saw was on a post of Daylilly's and fell in love with it. She also lives in the Midlands so know it will grow here, just knew that it was late in the year to plant it but couldn't help myself buying it :-). Thanks, its nice to know that it grows so well, sounds like it will live up to what I am looking for in this garden (things that flower over long periods and works hard for it's living). Thanks again Jen

4 Nov, 2017

How do I say thanks?

Answer question

 


Not found an answer?