Alstroemeria caryophyllae

For the first time in over 8 years this species is in bloom (it did bloom during the first 2 years of cultivation (which began in 1990). It has been in a minimally heated greenhouse for the entire time, but it was lifted, 4 years after the first brief bloom period.

The inflorescence is aromatic and as beautiful as any alstroemeria that I've seen (it resembles A. inodora, which lives up to its name and has no aroma). Miyake (in Chiba, Japan) has been able to produce outstanding hybrids of inodora with caryophyllae and pulchella (aka psittacina), but I have not seen any of these on the market...worse yet I have lost contact with Miyake.

Roy M. Sachs (Dec 11, 2002)