Establishment and growth of the rhizome of Alstroemeria as affected by temperature and the root system

The effects of temperature and the root system on growth and establishment were assessed for rhizomes of three Alstroemeria cultivars.-The numbers of lateral rhizomes, aerial shoots and tubers produced by rhizome ‘splits’ were not significantly affected by increase in temperature in the range of 8 to 18°C. Significant increases in root system and rhizome dry weight were seen for cv. Butterfly and in aerial shoot dry weight for all three cultivars used. Increasing temperature significantly decreased the number of plants establishing from rhizome ‘splits’ obtained from plants grown in glasshouse soil. For maximum rhizome production a temperature of between 13 and 18°C was found to be required. A second experiment employing rhizome ‘splits’ from container-grown plants showed no effect of temperature on plant establishment. The presence or absence of the rootsystem on the ‘splits’ at planting was found to be important in plant establishment, with removal of the root system producing a significant decrease in the number of plants establishing. It is suggested that the rootsystem, and damage sustained by it prior to planting, are more important than temperature for the successful establishment of plants of Alstroemeria.