Alstroemeria in the September Flower Agenda
Alstroemeria kicks off the indoor season in all the colours that this cut flower offers, with white being the utterly on-trend colour. What's unique about alstroemeria is that it saves its beauty for the right moment.
In the shop the flowers hide in their buds; it’s only after the customer gets them home that they will start to show off their full beauty. The smooth stems also appeal to a younger market, and this cut flower’s impressive vase life fits with the trend for choosing things that you can enjoy for a long time.
Origin
Alstroemeria, also known as the Inca lily, originates from the cool mountain regions of the Andes in Brazil, Peru and Chile. The current production of alstroemeria as a cut flower takes place in greenhouses, where the plant is highly productive. The quality of the flowers has improved considerably in recent years, resulting in sturdy stems, attractive green foliage and a longer vase life.
Range and assortment
Although white plays the leading role in September to reinforce the feeling of a new start, alstroemeria features many different cultivars with fabulous clear, bright colours and markings on the flower. The flowers come in virtually all the colours of the rainbow. The markings can also range from entirely plain to spots or stripes on the petals. In terms of flower shapes there are new forms such as double-flowered varieties and alstroemerias with very large flowers. There is also the spray alstroemeria Florinca, with sturdy stems, small flowers and a long vase life - up to 3 weeks.
What to look for when buying alstroemeria
- When buying alstroemeria check the length, firmness, leaf quality and the number of buds per stem. The weight determines the price.
- It’s very important to check the ripeness. Buds with enough colour will open better, have a more intense colour and offer larger flowers and a better vase life.
- When buying alstroemeria it is important that the flowers are free of pests and diseases. The flowers or the leaves can sometimes show botrytis (blight/grey mould). The buds may also be shrivelled or drop off easily.
- Alstroemeria is sometimes pre-treated by growers to improve the lifespan and counter yellowing of the leaves. This should be indicated when they are offered.
Care tips for professionals
- Place Alstroemeria in clean buckets or vases with clean water with a preservative added. This ensures that the flowers open well, the leaves do not yellow, and the water is not contaminated by bacteria.
- Trim 3-5 cm off the stems with sharp secateurs or a sharp knife and remove the bottom leaves. Make sure that there’s no foliage in the water.
- Ensure that the flowers and the foliage cannot get damp due to excessive humidity or from condensation in the cellophane. This will encourage botrytis, a fungus which rapidly diminishes the decorative value. With alstroemeria this is often called blight because of the small spots on the flowers, or grey mould when it is between the leaves.
Display tips for professionals
After the relaxed mood of the summer, September provides structure and the need for order again. For the styling of alstroemeria that means peace and rhythm to show the flower’s purity to its best advantage. There is also increasing interest in sustainability and accountability. Vases can hint at re-use (painted bottles) or multifunctionality (vases that can also serve as a jug or carafe). This creates a harmonious coherence in which you retain an overview. The supporting colours can be muted: white, grey, black, blue and a hint of russet.
Care tips for customers
- Trim the stems diagonally and remove the bottom leaves so they don’t dangle in the water.
- Arrange alstroemerias in a clean vase with fresh water and some cut flower food.
- Avoid placing the vase in full sun, near a fruit bowl or near the central heating.
- Remove wilted flowers and regularly top the vase up with tap water.
Inspiration & information
Inspiring images of every flower on the Flower Agenda have been produced in line with the Horticulture Sector Trends 2019 (Groenbranche Trends 2019). These trends are a translation of the latest consumer trends and are specifically aimed at the horticulture sector for use both indoors and outdoors. If you would like to find out more about the Flower Agenda, click here.
Images and credits
Alstroemeria will be on the Flower Agenda in September. You can download and use these inspirational images free of charge if you credit Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk.
Instagram: @howflowersdothat
Facebook: @funnyhowflowersdothat
Twitter: @flowersdothat
