Bomarea salsilla
Family: Alstroemeriaceae
What it is like
Bomarea salsilla is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 2
Where it is found
Woods and thickets in mountains, by the coast in C. Chile, favouring humid areas.
S. America - Chile.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Tuber - cooked. Starchy.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a warm sunny position and a well-drained slightly acid soil. Plants are possibly hardy in the milder areas of Britain. They tolerate temperatures down to about 0°cc, but the roots will survive lower temperatures if they are given a good thick organic mulch over the winter. Plants prefer a minimum night temperature of 10°c. Keep the plants almost dry in winter. The mulch should be removed as growth commences in the spring because the young shoots are very susceptible to slug damage. This genus is closely related to Alstroemeria species.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse, it will germinate in a few weeks. Stratify stored seed for 3 weeks at 20°c, then 3 weeks at 5°c. It usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring, with care since the roots are brittle. Each portion must have some roots and a growth bud. Pot up the divisions, grow them on in the greenhouse until they are well established and then plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer or late spring of the following year.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Perennial Climber
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist