Alstroemeria ‘Golden Tiara’ offers vibrant color and a prolonged blooming season, making it a popular choice. Its distinctive charm and straightforward care contribute to its widespread appeal. This guide explores cultivating this plant.
Understanding Alstroemeria ‘Golden Tiara’
Alstroemeria ‘Golden Tiara’, also known as Peruvian Lily, is a specific cultivar renowned for its striking golden-yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. These blooms often feature coral-orange throats and distinctive reddish-brown flecks or burgundy spots. The plant typically reaches 18 to 30 inches tall, extending up to 45 inches with flowers, and can spread up to 3 feet wide, forming a mounded habit of dark green foliage. As an herbaceous perennial, it dies back to the crown each winter and regrows in spring. Its long-lasting cut flowers are a favorite for floral arrangements.
Planting Alstroemeria ‘Golden Tiara’
Site Selection and Soil Preparation
Selecting a planting site is important for vigorous growth. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. In hotter regions, afternoon shade protects foliage and blooms.
Soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter. Alstroemeria prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally 5.5 to 7.0. Before planting, incorporate compost, aged manure, or other organic amendments. This improves drainage, enhances moisture retention, and provides essential nutrients.
Planting Guidelines
When planting from tubers or potted plants, ensure the weather has warmed sufficiently, typically after frost danger has passed in spring or early fall. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equally deep. For tubers, plant them 6 to 8 inches deep, positioning them horizontally with any visible ‘eyes’ facing upwards.
If planting a potted specimen, gently remove it from its container and loosen any circling roots before placing it in the hole. Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart. Backfill with amended soil, gently firming it to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Ongoing Care for ‘Golden Tiara’
Watering
Consistent moisture is important, especially during dry periods and active growth. Water deeply once or twice weekly, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering, as soggy conditions can lead to root rot.
Monitoring soil moisture helps prevent drought stress and waterlogging. During prolonged dry spells or heat waves, more frequent watering may be necessary. A regular watering schedule helps maintain consistent soil moisture.
Fertilization
To support abundant flowering, ‘Golden Tiara’ benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Alternatively, a liquid feed can be applied every 2-4 weeks during blooming.
Higher phosphorus fertilizers promote flower production. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions to prevent over-fertilization, which can burn roots or encourage excessive foliage growth. A light top-dressing of compost in mid-summer provides continuous nutrients.
Pruning and Deadheading
Deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowers. Instead of simply cutting flower stalks, grasp the spent stem near the base and gently pull upwards. This technique stimulates rhizomes to produce new flowering shoots more effectively than cutting.
Removing faded flowers diverts energy from seed production back into bloom formation. If the plant becomes leggy or overcrowded, pull older, non-flowering stems to improve air circulation and encourage fresh growth. This maintains tidiness and promotes vigor.
Winter Protection
In USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9, Alstroemeria ‘Golden Tiara’ can typically remain in the ground year-round. A 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, applied in late fall, insulates rhizomes from freezing temperatures. This retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds.
In colder zones, where deep freezes are common, lift rhizomes after the first hard frost. Dig up clumps, shake off excess soil, and store them in a cool, dark, dry location, such as a basement or garage, in slightly damp peat moss or sawdust. Replant in spring after frost danger passes.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Pests and Diseases
‘Golden Tiara’ is generally robust, but can occasionally encounter pests like aphids, slugs, or spider mites. Aphids can be dislodged with a strong water stream or treated with insecticidal soap. Slugs are often managed with bait or by hand-picking them. Spider mites, indicated by fine webbing, thrive in dry conditions and can be controlled with increased humidity and miticides if severe.
Fungal diseases, such as root rot or botrytis (gray mold), primarily occur in overly wet or poorly drained conditions. Proper soil drainage and avoiding overwatering are the best preventative measures. Removing affected plant parts and improving air circulation also helps mitigate fungal spread.
Lack of Blooms
A common concern is when ‘Golden Tiara’ fails to bloom. Insufficient sunlight is a frequent culprit; the plant needs at least six hours of direct sun daily. Moving it to a brighter location resolves this. Improper fertilization, either too much nitrogen or insufficient phosphorus, can hinder flowering.
Environmental stress, such as extreme heat or inconsistent watering, can cause the plant to withhold blooms. Consistent watering and afternoon shade in hot climates can help. Newly established plants may take a full growing season for rhizomes to mature for a robust floral display.
Leaf Discoloration
Leaf discoloration often signals an underlying issue. Yellowing leaves, especially lower ones, can indicate overwatering or poor drainage, leading to root stress. Conversely, uniformly yellowing leaves with stunted growth might suggest a nutrient deficiency, particularly nitrogen. Adjusting watering and providing a balanced fertilizer can correct these issues.
Browning or crispy leaf edges typically point to underwatering, excessive heat, or low humidity, which cause the plant to dry out. Consistent moisture and some shade during the hottest parts of the day can alleviate these symptoms. Spots or blotches on leaves may suggest fungal infections, best managed by improving air circulation and avoiding overhead watering.