Freesia: planting and care

Freesia belongs to the iris family. Her homeland is South America. In nature, there are about 20 species of decorative flowering bulbous plants.

How a potted plant is grown Freesia hybrid Freesia hybrida – plant about 50-60 cm tall, with narrow linear leaves about 20 cm long and 2 cm wide. Inflorescences on a long peduncle, bears about a dozen flowers.

The flowers are funnel-shaped, very fragrant (somewhat reminiscent of lily of the valley in aroma), about 6 cm in diameter. The color of flowers can be very diverse: all shades of yellow, red, lilac, purple, white.

To maintain their shape, freesia leaves need a garter to the support, otherwise they hang, break and the bush does not look attractive.

Care Tips

• Temperature and care: During the growing season within 20-25 ° C. When the plant has faded, the dry peduncle is cut off. The leaves begin to wither and die off, at this time, watering is reduced, only occasionally moistening the soil, and for 1-2 months they continue to be kept in a warm and dry place, at this moment new bulbs are formed. Then the bulbs are removed from the ground and stored at about 15 ° C until planting (but not in the refrigerator or cellar).
• Lighting: Bright sunlight, no shading required.
• Watering: Abundant during flowering and moderate at germination. Avoid excessive moisture, the bulbs can easily rot.
• Fertilizer: During the period of growth, budding and flowering, every two weeks. Fertilizers are suitable, for example, Kemira-lux.
• Air humidity: Loves humid air, regular spraying is required, especially on hot days in summer (after spraying, shading is necessary so that the plant does not get burned).

From personal experience

Bibisara: My freesia grows all year round at home, on the windowsill, and nothing breaks, it blooms and smells. I plant several types of them in one pot, and it turns out a lush bush. As it gets warmer, I take it out on the balcony. Which were planted in September, blossomed on March 8 and are still in bloom. And the second pot was planted at the end of December – 16 pcs. in one pot, sit and grow very luxuriantly. They smell very sweet, like perfume – I really like it. I wait for the leaves to dry and dig out the bulbs. I clean them, separate the children, dry them and re-plant them in another land – large bulbs separately, children separately.

polin: I bought already sprouted onions. She took a low wide pot, and “stuck” everyone there. Then, after a couple of weeks, she began to fertilize “for decorative flowering”. It looks like a kind of “grass” grows. To prevent the “bushes” from falling, I stuck bamboo sticks along the perimeter of the pot, pulled a wire between them – the bushes rested on it, then the flowers hung in twigs through it – it turned out very nicely. After flowering, the tops began to brown and dry a little. A month after “drying” I shook out the contents of the pot – there was a scattering of new bulbs.

irina-bahus: I have a southern balcony, sun from morning to evening, freesias grow well. In order not to fall, they must be buried deeper (or the earth should be poured, if possible), because they are planted in the garden to a depth of 3-4 cm. And they must be supported. The bulbs are kept at home dry and warm (while heat is a prerequisite for laying flower buds), planted in spring, dug out in the fall after flowering.