Alstroemeria - when to plant out?

I recently bought an Alstroemeria (Indian Summer) plant mail order from Thompson & Morgan and to be honest and considering what it cost I was disappointed at the size as I could have got a more established one from a garden centre for just a couple of pounds more.. I have been growing it on in a small container on a windowsill until it is bigger but am unsure when I should plant it outside. It is currently about 8cm tall from soil level and I intend planting it in a fairly large pot outdoors. Is it still too small to plant outside?

 

I'd wait at least until it throws up another stem so you know its roots are settling. It's really rather small to fight its corner outside at the moment. If it came as just a plug plant, I'd hesitate to put it out for a couple of months. After a few years, it should get to this...

 

I was at a local nursery yesterday where they sell overstock from other nurseries.
They had a 10L pot with a huge Alstroemeria for £12 - I was tempted.. but resisted the urge.

You do have a small plant and its not suitable for a big pot yet, but it would be happier outside somewhere where it will get some sun rather than inside, just ensure the compost doesn't dry out or get too wet - they don't like a lot of wet.
See how it looks in a couple of months and if it's growing well, you should be OK for a bigger pot - but not too big

 

Please tell me that your squash bottle pot has good drainage so that I may sleep tonight .
tia.

 

That sounds a bargain - that thing I got online was £17.00!

 

Many thanks for the replies. I'll keep it for a month or two yet before putting it in an outdoor pot.

 

What???? That's outrageous - even standard garden centres near me sell plants in about 2 litre pots for £14

 

I would complain to Thompson and Morgan - it is not good enough.
For future reference, ask people on this forum about good places to buy - you'll get honest answers!

 

That plant is diabolical if it cost £17, take a picture and demand your money back.
I wonder if these places actually know what is being sent out, I think its often done via another supplier.

 

I've just seen this thread. 17 quid!!!
That's daylight robbery for something that size @Franco50 . I'm so sorry you've been hoodwinked.
No wonder people don't use that company for much apart from seed.
If there's a photo of what you can expect to receive from them, and it doesn't look like that, then yes- definitely complain.
It definitely needs to be outside though. Just find somewhere sheltered, and do as @Pete8 describes re water/sun etc. Hopefully, it'll grow a bit over the next month or two, depending on where you are and your conditions etc, and then you can put it in a slightly bigger pot for overwintering. If you have small plants indoors, it's better to use a saucer, or similar, to sit it on too.
As @CarolineL says - if you're considering buying online, ask on the forum and people will suggest various places to buy from. It might seem more expensive [although I doubt it!] but good, reliable sellers will refund or replace if things aren't right, and will certainly respond to any emails etc.

 

I would be inclined to put it into a slightly bigger pot, put it in a sheltered corner and grow it on until next year. The root system is rather like dahlia tubers so if frost is forecast you could move it into a shed or porch, plant it out next Spring when hopefully, it will be strong enough to cope with open ground conditions.

 

From my own personal experience and that of my gardening friends, I would rather stick pins in my eyes than buy any living ( living being the operable word!) from either T&M or van Meuven, I think they are connected but could be wrong.
That old expression of “ buy cheap buy twice” is apt altho re the above purchase, this was not cheap! The companies must be commended for their fantastical brochures which show more often than not gargantuan plants which upon purchase look like match sticks! They also seem to achieve borders bulging with all sorts of plants all flowering at the same time while in reality the plants flower at different times of the year.
I would even go as far as to say you are slightly better buying from those well known German supermarkets. At least you see what you are going to get for your money! Whether they survive or not time will tell.

 

The nursery I often use has Alstroemerias for £12 in 2 litre pots. At this time of year, and into early autumn, they'll be filling those pots really well, and would split into 2 or 3 plants. They usually have a sale in September too, so it's even better value.

I hope it survives for you @Franco50 , but don't over cosset it either. They're tough plants. As long as it's root system is growing well, and you can pot it on in the next month or two, it should be fine for planting out next year.