TOW - F&W Alstromeria germination
David Victor (Sat, 17 Jan 2004 09:41:14 PST)

Hi there Diane,

John Watson was not specific about locations, only describing collections
areas in 2001. The ones covering Alstromerias were notated as A & B, where

A - Chilean Northern Pacific Coastal and Inland Desert
Climate - High subtropical latitude. Hot in summer, mild winters. Usually
low to extremely low (near zero) rainfalls, but with exceptionally heavy
rains at approx 5-10 year intervals during El Nino events. Inland diurnal
temperatures are more extreme: nights can be very cold,
including freezing, and atmosphere is low in humidity. Proximity to
Pacific reduces diurnal and annual temperature extremes (frost free) and
generally increases ambient humidity, in particular as a result of many
days of damp sea fogs throughout the year. Above average precipitation and
fogs increase progressively over ca 100m on the 2000m plus coastal
hills. In partiuclar the high range behind Taltal and Paposo attract
significant regular annual rainfall and mists, creating a high oasis which
flowers more or less well virtually every year.
Terrain. Dry, more or less bare, rocky hillslopes and coastal
plain. Coastal shores and immediate hinterlands often consist of pure
sandfields or semi-stable dunes.
Altitude. 1-1300m
Vegetation. Mostly concentrated in valleys, hollows, etc where any
precipitation runs or collects. Also in sandy places and summit
regions. Basically xeric and succulent shrubs, cacti, annuals and geophytes.

B - Chilean coastal pacific mediterranean zone -
Climate.Hot dry summers, partially modified by regular sea fogs; Winters
and spring mild, with very variable but regular significant rainfalls,
peaking at 5-10 year intervals by el Nino. Virtually frost free.
Terrain. Low coastal hills, plains and valleys, cliffs and clifftop plateaux.
Altitude. 1-500m
Vegetation. Rich and overall. Mostly open littoral shrublands, beach and
dune communities and annual-grass dominated meadows. Shrubs (often
semi-xeric), cacti and succulents, perennials, annuals, grasses (mainly
fairly ephemeral), geophytes and occasional trees.

This one was from 2002, conditions V

Climate. Mediterranean alpine type. Long summers, mainly hot and dry, but
somewhat shorter and marginally cooler than further north in the central
temperate cordilleras and punctuated by more frequent unsettled periods and
mountain mists. winters are correspondingly longer than further
north. Locally, summer nights are milder than for the main Talca
cordillera due east.
Terrain. (for this one) upper crumbled white granite fields and meadows at
treeling.
Altitude. 1000-2000m
Vegetation upper flattened nothofagus, bunch grass and Andean flora.

Hope that helps.

Best regards,
David Victor