Inca Aurelia® Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian Lily, brings vibrant color and lasting beauty to gardens. This popular perennial offers cheerful blooms, making it a favorite for garden beds and cut flower arrangements. Understanding its specific needs allows gardeners to enjoy its charming presence throughout the growing season.
Characteristics of Aurelia Flowers
Inca Aurelia® is a cultivar of Alstroemeria, known as Peruvian Lilies. This tuberous-rooted herbaceous perennial typically reaches a garden height of 8 to 12 inches, with a spread of 14 to 16 inches. Its growth habit is upright and bushy, featuring well-branched stems adorned with green foliage.
The flowers are a bold yellow, often featuring speckled centers that add intricate detail. Some blooms may also display a subtle hint of pink at their base and green on the outer tips of the petals. It blooms from spring through autumn. This variety is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10. Its compact size and vibrant appearance make it suitable for use in borders, containers, or as a focal point, and its blooms are excellent for cutting.
Growing Aurelia Flowers
Inca Aurelia® Alstroemeria needs a suitable planting location. It performs best in part to full sun, requiring at least four to six hours of daily sunlight. In regions experiencing extreme heat, providing some afternoon shade can help protect the plants from stress.
Consistent moisture is important; Inca Aurelia® cannot tolerate soggy conditions, which lead to root rot. During dry periods, about an inch of water per week is sufficient. For plants grown in containers, water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Once established, they can endure short periods of drought.
The plant prefers well-drained, fertile soil, ideally with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Incorporating compost improves drainage and nutrient content. Applying a layer of mulch around the root zone helps retain soil moisture and insulates the roots, offering protection against temperature extremes.
Inca Aurelia® grows well within a range of 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). Gardeners in colder climates outside its hardy zones may need to protect the tubers over winter. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in spring to encourage growth and blooms. Container-grown plants benefit from a monthly feeding with a water-soluble plant food throughout their active growing season. Initially, when planting, a high-nitrogen fertilizer can support early development.
Reproducing Aurelia Flowers
Inca Aurelia® Alstroemeria can be reproduced through division. Over time, plants form large colonies, making division practical for managing spread and creating new plants. The ideal times for dividing are either early spring or early fall.
Carefully dig up the clump of tuberous roots and gently separate into sections, ensuring each contains healthy tubers. These divisions should be replanted immediately at the same depth as the original plant, then watered thoroughly to help them settle into their new location. Alstroemeria can be slow to re-establish after division, sometimes taking a year or two to resume blooming.
Cuttings are another viable propagation method. Take cuttings during late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Select healthy, mature stems 5 to 8 inches long with at least two to three nodes.
Make a clean, diagonal cut just below a node, then remove any lower leaves from the stem. Dipping the cut end into rooting hormone can accelerate root development and improve success rates. Plant cuttings in a well-drained potting mix and maintain high humidity by covering them with a plastic bag. Roots may begin to form within 15 to 20 days.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Inca Aurelia® Alstroemeria may encounter pests and diseases. Common pests include slugs, snails (targeting young foliage), aphids, thrips, spider mites, and whiteflies, which feed on plant sap. Thrips and aphids can transmit plant diseases. Applying insecticidal soaps can help manage infestations of aphids and spider mites.
Root rot is a common disease, often resulting from overly wet soil. This manifests as wilting, stunted growth, and stems that become weak and collapse. Botrytis (gray mold) can develop with excessive moisture or poor air circulation. Peruvian Lilies are also susceptible to viruses, including Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). If a plant shows signs of viral infection, it should be promptly removed to prevent further spread.
Other growing problems can affect plant health and bloom production. Both overwatering and underwatering can lead to issues such as yellowing or browning leaves, wilting, and stunted growth. Consistent moisture is key, but allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings helps prevent root rot. Lack of blooms can indicate stress from pests, diseases, or improper watering, as both excessive and insufficient moisture can cause flower buds to remain closed. Nutrient deficiencies may also cause discolored foliage, such as yellowing, purple-tinged leaves, or brown edges.