Growing Freesia In The Garden

Freesia is a type of about 14 different species and all the Freesia species are of African origin. 12 of the 14 species are native to Cape Province in South Africa and the other two are native to tropical Africa. Freesias are very fragrant and usually come in white or yellow.

Growing freesias is relatively easy because these plants are hardy and can survive in a variety of different climates. They do best, however, when they are kept in well-drained soil and not allowed to get too hot. Freesias should be planted in full sun during a season that will give the plants plenty of time to establish their roots and to flower before the heat of summer sets in.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when growing freesias is that these plants do not do well if allowed to get too wet. They must be planted in soil that drains well, and sandy soil is ideal for freesias because water does not soak into it well, allowing the soil and the freesia’s roots to dry out completely. Moisture in the air can also adversely affect freesias, especially if the air is hot as well as humid.

The easiest way to start growing freesias in your garden is to buy freesia bulbs. Though these plants can be grown from seed, planting established bulbs helps to ensure that the freesias will be able to go into flower quickly. Bulbs should be positioned with their pointed sides facing upwards and then planted in holes about 2 inches (5 centimeters) deep. The plants will grow roots for a couple of months, so it will take a while before any growth is seen. In climates that do not drop below 20°F (-7°C), bulbs can be planted in the fall, otherwise, they need to be planted after the weather warms in the spring.

Freesias prefer to be planted in full sun, but If they are planted in the shade, it is harder for the soil to dry out which could water log the roots ad kill the plants. People who are growing freesias should water and fertilize them regularly and allow the soil to dry out completely in-between waterings.

In most climates, it is possible to grow freesias out of the same bulbs for many years. The plants will appear to die off after flowering and all the leaves may fall off but the bulb will remain alive. In climates with hot, humid summers, the bulbs should be dug up and stored in a cool, dry place until the weather cools before being replanted. People growing freesias in mild, dry climates can leave the bulbs in the ground and wait for them to sprout again after a dormant period of a couple months.

Growing facts

– The bulbo-tubers should be planted close to each other.
– The soil the freesia will be planted in should be light and well drained.
– Put the top of the bulbo-tuber 1 inch below the soil.
– To have blooms in winter, plant the freesia in late summer or early fall and keep them cool until frosts are due.
– During the winter season, bring freesia in and keep them in a sunny area.
– Prefer to grow in moist manure soil.

Freesia care

– Freesias are spread by offsets of bulbs and seeds.
– To grow better, Freesia plants need full sun and cool night temperatures.
– While the leaves and flowers are growing, make sure to keep the plant well watered.
– Watering should be then slowed down after the flower has bloomed and stopped after the season has ended.
– When the plant leaves take a brownish shade after the flowers have faded, the plants may be dried and the bulbo-tubers saved for next year.

Insect and diseases. The Freesia Plant is not much loved by insects and is disease-free. The mosaic virus is the most virus that doesn’t go along with Freesia. This virus affects many plants but with freesia it is best to remove the affected plants.