Alstromeria Seed Pods

I have some Alstromeria plants that produced seed pods after the flowers fell. Some are already turning brown. Do I only use the green ones or can the brown ones be used as well? What is the process for germinating these seed pods?

The green ones likely aren't ripe yet so if you try to take seeds out of them they probably won't grow. The brown ones would be the ones to use. I've never tried Alstroemeria from seed so I don't have any tips beyond that, but I've heard they can be tricky to germinate. Hopefully someone will come along with some ideas for you, but if not you should try looking through old threads on here and maybe on the Propagation forum too--I remember seeing Alstroemeria germination discussed before.

Hi,

I have some Alstroemarias that I started from seed. I covered the seed with some grit, and kept the growing medium moist. It took about three months for the first sprouts to show. Apparently it takes a few years for the plants to flower (round about three if I remember correctly)

Hope it helps,
Elsa

This message was edited Jul 9, 2007 6:51 AM

golfbuf, first of all it would be important to establish which Alstroemeria you have. If it is a hybrid, you most likely have .... empty seedpods. If it is an Alstroemeria species, you will have fertile seeds.

If you don't have a picture of your flowers and don't know the name, try to find your Alstroemeria among the entries to our Plant Files http://davesgarden.com/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=alstroemeria&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search Should yours be a Chilean native species, read the whole page and don't forget to scroll down to the 'Comments' section where I have entered the necessary information.

Check the pictures I posted for Alstroemeria pelegrina and see how I bag my seedpods to collect the seeds. Otherwise, the 'spring' system in the pod will make them fly all over your garden and you might end up having Alstroemerias where you don't want them.

Let me know if I can be of further help.

Ursula