Freesia spp.
Freesia is a genus of about 16 aromatic flowering species within the Iridaceae household that additionally consists of gladiolus and iris.
The blossoms are showy, with three higher petals and three sepals beneath, forming a tubular or funnel-shaped vessel favored by honeybees.
Colours embody a placing number of lavender, orange, pink, purple, pink, white, yellow, and bicolor combos.
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These most available to in the present day’s gardeners are hybrids. In Zones 9 to 10, they’re perennials.
Elsewhere, they might be grown as annuals to be discarded at season’s finish, tender perennials lifted earlier than first frost and saved over the chilly months, or grown indoors for winter blooms.
This information discusses all you should know to develop and take care of freesia at your own home.
Right here’s what we’ll cowl:
Let’s begin with a little bit of background.
Cultivation and Historical past
Cool-weather freesia grows from a bulb-like tuber referred to as a corm and blooms from mid-winter to spring in its native South Africa, getting into dormancy when the temperatures rise above 70°F.
It’s winter hardy in Zones 9 and 10 however frost-tender.
The foliage is grass- or sword-like, just like that of a gladiolus or iris.
Flowers seem in succession alongside one facet of a leafless, arching raceme and bloom from the underside to the highest.
The typical mature dimensions are 12 to 18 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches huge.
Cultivation dates again to nineteenth century England through the heyday of plant hunters who found new species for British collections.
With six to 12 aromatic flowers per stem and longevity as a reduce flower, these thrilling species had been destined for chopping gardens and florist retailers.
By the late nineteenth century, hybridization was underway in Europe.
The preliminary crossbreeding of species just like the greenish-yellow, yellow, or white F. refracta and creamy F. leichtlinii, with its slight lavender tinge and yellow blush, opened the door to a booming floriculture.
Different species that might make their method into improvement embody the extremely aromatic, predominantly white F. alba, pink and typically pink F. grandiflora, and “flowering grass,” F. laxa in numerous colours, together with pink.
As we speak’s gardeners and floral designers have entry to hybrids that date to the Nineties, when species throughout the Freesia genus had been crossed to create new flowers with options like disease-resistance, double petals, and taller heights than their wild counterparts.
Sadly, some cultivated varieties’ candy and heady perfume was misplaced within the course of.
Subsequent, we’ll discuss the best way to begin crops.
Freesia Propagation
In its native habitat, freesia multiplies by self-sowing seeds and/or rising offsets or “daughter” corms.
We will begin new crops at dwelling by shopping for corms, dividing present clumps to acquire offsets, and sowing seeds. Let’s focus on.
By Division
We will additionally begin new crops by division.
To divide, wait till the crops have completed blooming and the foliage is withering, then dig up the clump of corms.
Separate and take away withered mum or dad corms and retain the contemporary, younger offsets that grew up beside them to sow in containers or different places.
From Seed
Whereas corms are available and sooner to sprout, it’s also possible to begin with seeds.
Some species, like F. laxa, self-sow, dropping seeds that assist to make sure the species’ survival within the wild.
Hybrids don’t at all times produce viable seeds. After they do, the seeds don’t develop into clones of the mum or dad however can range in traits like colour, type, and high quality.
In case you begin crops this manner, make sure to buy seeds or accumulate them from a species plant, not a hybrid, after the inexperienced seed pods flip brown.
When you could have your seeds, soak them in water for twenty-four hours.
Use biodegradable seed starter pots with two to 3 seeds in every.
Calmly cowl the seeds with backyard or potting soil.
Moisten the soil, however don’t oversaturate it.
Sprout the seeds in darkness at 55 to 64°F for greatest outcomes. You may cowl the pots loosely with foil and use a warmth mat to attain these circumstances.
As soon as they sprout, skinny the seedlings to at least one per pot.
Preserve even moisture and a temperature between 41 and 50° F.
Enable six months for the seeds to germinate and one to 2 years for them to mature to corms that flower.
Transplanting
A corm, like a bulb, shops the entire vitamins a plant must thrive.
If you’re rising in containers, they need to be eight inches deep to accommodate freesia’s lengthy taproot. Within the backyard, work the soil to a crumbly consistency to the same depth.
Set the corms two to 3 inches aside, with the pointed finish going through upwards, located simply above the floor of the soil.
Freesia corms bought from backyard facilities or nurseries could also be heat-treated or untreated.
Warmth-treated corms are supposed for planting in cool zones that have freezing temperatures and frosts. Plant them in early spring for a late summer time bloom, roughly 110 to 120 days later.
In case you reside in a zone that freezes, and don’t need to develop freesia as an annual or elevate corms yearly, it’s also possible to develop them indoors for winter flowering. Plant them in early fall for blooming in 10 to 12 weeks.
You may as well pot up corms to develop in a cool greenhouse in areas that freeze, for a chopping backyard by way of the winter. The perfect temperature is 41 to 50°F.
Untreated corms are appropriate for heat zones. They need to be planted in late summer time for spring flowers the next yr.
As soon as we’ve got our crops it’s time to handle cultural necessities.
The way to Develop Freesia
Freesia wants full solar to flower abundantly, although it would tolerate half shade places, notably in sizzling climates.
The soil must be organically-rich, sandy loam that drains properly, with a barely acidic to impartial pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
In case you backyard in containers, select a top quality potting soil that’s mild, ethereal, and moisture retentive.
Two to three-inch spacing creates a swath of colour and permits crops to help one another.
Nonetheless, it might improve the chance of fungal illness in moist climates as a result of buildup of moisture and humidity.
If extra moisture is a matter, you may area your crops extra loosely and set up round helps at planting time to keep away from floppy stems.
Half-Spherical Plant Assist Rings
These help rings are half-circles manufactured from sturdy, weather-resistant inexperienced plastic that blends properly with inexperienced backyard foliage.
Place them round bulb groupings in the course of the rising season and reuse them once more the next yr.
Half-Spherical Plant Assist Rings are accessible from Zotuk by way of Amazon.
Present minimal moisture when you anticipate the corms to sprout. As soon as sprouts seem, keep even moisture however don’t oversaturate the soil.
When buds type, fertilize bimonthly with an all-purpose, potassium-rich liquid product, like one formulated for tomato crops.
Keep away from fluoridated water and fertilizers that include phosphorus fluoride, as freesia reacts adversely to those chemical substances.
After a complete stem finishes blooming, it’s possible you’ll snip it off close to the bottom or enable pods to type and self-sowing to happen. Do not forget that seeds from hybrids won’t produce true to the mum or dad plant, so it’s possible you’ll not need them to go to seed until you’re curious concerning the doable outcomes.
As soon as the entire flowers end blooming, discontinue fertilizing and watering.
If you’re rising perennials or lifting corms at season’s finish to retailer them, enable the leaves to stay in place to feed the corm for subsequent yr’s flowers.
If you’re rising annuals to discard post-bloom, take away them solely to the compost heap when the flowers end. At all times clear all particles to keep away from harboring pests and pathogens.
Rising Suggestions
With one of the best cultural practices, freesia thrives and delights with a spectacular show. Assist its well being and sweetness by remembering to:
- Use the suitable sort of corm in your rising area.
- Present a location with full solar.
- Use organically-rich, sandy loam or potting soil that retains satisfactory moisture whereas draining properly.
- Sow corms at acceptable distances to self-support in dry areas and keep airflow in moist circumstances.
- Set up help buildings at planting time as wanted.
- Preserve even moisture with out oversaturation through the rising season.
- Fertilize bimonthly with a potassium-rich liquid product as soon as buds seem.
- Cease fertilizing and watering when blooming finishes.
- Carry and retailer corms to reuse.
Now we’ll transfer on to upkeep.
Upkeep
In case you reside in a heat zone and revel in rising freesia as perennials, upkeep consists of digging and dividing corms, relocating divided offsets, and eradicating withered foliage at season’s finish.
After blooming within the spring, it’s possible you’ll need to elevate and retailer to keep away from rotting throughout wet spells.
Right here’s how:
- When the flowers fade, enable the foliage to wither.
- Dig straight down about 10 inches and elevate clumps of corms.
- Take away the withered foliage and brush off the soil.
- If you wish to divide offsets from the mum or dad corms, achieve this now.
- Lay out the corms you want to retailer on newspaper in a single layer, ensuring they don’t seem to be touching.
- Examine the corms for indicators of illness, and discard any which might be discolored and/or delicate.
- Mud the remaining ones with a fungicidal powder if desired.
Per the Royal Horticultural Society, retailer the corms in a paper bag in an 80°F location with excessive humidity of about 75 to 80 % for 14 to twenty weeks.
Word that with increased warmth and moisture, corms are vulnerable to fungal illness, so examine them usually and get rid of any which might be affected.
Make sure you label the luggage, particularly you probably have totally different varieties.
Conversely, if you’re gardening in a zone that freezes, elevate the corms to retailer them after they wither and earlier than the primary frost.
Right here’s how:
- Dig up the corms when the entire foliage finishes feeding the bulb and turns brown.
- If you wish to separate offsets from the mum or dad, now’s the time.
- Lay the corms on a tarp or newspaper in a single layer with area between them.
- Place them in a cool, dry location out of direct daylight to remedy for 2 to 3 weeks.
- When they’re dry, mud with fungicide if desired.
Retailer the corms in labeled paper luggage in a cool, dry location between 35 and 40°F.
Freesia Cultivars to Choose
There are quite a few kinds of this extensively hybridized floriculture star accessible. Listed here are some to whet your urge for food:
Double Combine
Freesia x hybrida Double Combine boasts double blossoms that trace of mint, honey, and citrus, and show assorted shiny colours.
Double Combine
Sow within the fall for perennial cultivation in Zones 8 to 11. Plant within the spring as an annual in Zones 2 to 7.
Vegetation mature to heights of 12 to 16 inches.
Double Combine freesia is accessible from Eden Brothers.
Single Purple
Freesia corymbosa ‘Single Purple’ has vibrant pink blossoms, wealthy yellow throats, and a peppery fragrance.
‘Single Purple’
Plant in autumn in Zones 8 to 10 or within the spring in Zones 1 to 11. Count on mature heights of 15 to twenty inches.
‘Single Purple’ is accessible from Nature Hills Nursery.
Single Yellow
Freesia corymbosa ‘Single Yellow’ is a buttercup yellow magnificence that emits a contemporary spring scent because it basks in full solar.
‘Single Yellow’
Sow it within the fall in Zones 8 to 10 and within the spring in different temperate zones. Vegetation mature to heights of 12 to 16 inches.
‘Single Yellow’ freesia is accessible from Nature Hills Nursery.
Managing Pests and Illness
With high quality corms from a good purveyor and greatest cultural practices, you might be unlikely to expertise issues.
Nonetheless, there are a selection of pests and illnesses to pay attention to.
Pests
Pests to pay attention to embody, night-feeding slugs and snails, and sapsucking aphids and thrips.
In case you discover the leaves chewed off, it’s seemingly slugs and snails have feasted upon them throughout moist climate or overwatering.
Inform-tale indicators of sapsuckers are leaf distortion, discoloration, and desiccation, adopted by leaf drop and a failure to thrive.
These pests are sometimes illness vectors that trigger in depth injury when infestations go unchecked.
As well as, herbivores like moles and voles could feed upon bulbs below the soil. Screening bulbs with a mesh enclosure at planting time is a preventative measure to contemplate.
Illness
Illnesses to look at for embody:
Grey Mould
Grey mould, attributable to Botrytis cinerea, happens with excessive humidity and seems as a grey fuzz on foliage, flowers, and buds. Black stiff or “sclerotic” buildings could also be seen.
Broken crops are most weak to softening, decay, and demise.
As there are not any efficient therapies, growers ought to take avoidance measures, like sanitary practices, the discount of humidity, and the removing of broken or decaying plant materials.
Iris Leaf Spot
Mycosphaerella (syn. Didymellina) macrospora fungus causes iris leaf spot. It could have an effect on the foliage or buds and first seems as rounded, yellowish lesions.
The lesions dry, and the desiccated patches enlarge till the leaves flip brown and curl up. Untimely leaf demise leads to a failure to nourish the corms for subsequent yr’s flowers.
Proactive measures to keep away from iris leaf spot embody:
- Rising in full sunshine
- Utilizing organically-rich, well-draining soil that isn’t overly acidic
- Avoiding low-lying panorama areas with poor airflow
Destroy all affected foliage and deal with remaining flora with a spray-on fungicide.
Viruses
Freesia Mosaic Virus (FreesiaMV) spreads by way of the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphoribae, and the inexperienced peach aphid, Myzus persicae.
Freesia Sneak Virus (FreSV) is the results of a soil borne fungus, Olpidium brassicae, and is related to the little understood Freesia Leaf Necrosis Illness (FLN).
Widespread viral signs are the event of yellow or “chlorotic” spots that unfold, merge, dry, wither, and result in general decline and demise.
Sadly, plant viruses aren’t treatable. Their presence requires the removing of affected flora, sanitization of instruments, and rotation to a brand new location subsequent yr.
Finest Makes use of for Freesia Flowers
Showcase aromatic freesia in cottage backyard beds among the many cosmos, dahlias, geraniums, and ranunculus.
Pair it with candy alyssum in sunny borders and containers for aromatic variations in peak and type.
Fill a piece of your chopping backyard with lots of cheerful stems for bouquets and vase preparations.
Scatter bulbs for a naturalistic show that can enlarge through the years.
Interplant freesia with gladiolus and iris. Their comparable heights and sword-like foliage present continuity punctuated by various and crowd pleasing blooms.
Fast Reference Rising Information
| Plant Sort: | Tender herbaceous perennial | Flower/Foliage Shade: | Bicolor, lavender, orange, pink, purple, pink, white, yellow/inexperienced |
| Native to: | South Africa | Tolerance: | Some shade |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 9-10 | Upkeep: | Average |
| Bloom Time: | Mid-winter-spring (perennials), late summer time (annuals) | Soil Sort: | Organically-rich, sandy loam |
| Publicity: | Full sun-part shade | Soil pH: | 6.5-7.0 |
| Time to Maturity: | 110-120 days | Soil Drainage: | Properly-draining |
| Spacing: | 2-3 inches | Attracts: | Honey bees |
| Planting Depth: | Tip of corm above soil degree | Companion Planting: | Cosmos, dahlia, geranium, gladiolus, iris, ranunculus, candy alyssum |
| Top: | 12-18 inches | Makes use of: | Annual, beds, borders, containers, cottage backyard, chopping backyard, naturalized plantings |
| Unfold: | 6-12 inches | Household: | Iridaceae |
| Water Wants: | Average | Genus: | Freesia |
| Widespread Pests and Illnesses: | Aphids, slugs, snails, thrips; grey mould, iris leaf spot, viruses | Species: | Alba, armstrongii, grandiflora, laxa, refracta |
Fabulous, Aromatic Freesia
Whether or not you develop it as a perennial or an annual, freesia is certain to attraction.
For container gardening, bear in mind to make use of a top quality potting medium that’s mild and well-draining.
Within the backyard, develop in organically-rich, sandy loam that’s barely acidic and drains properly. Keep away from overwatering to stop the corms from rotting, and elevate them in locales that freeze within the winter.
The slender, arching racemes could have a fragile look, however freesia is sturdy sufficient to last as long as three weeks in a vase, offered you give the stems a contemporary reduce and alter the water each day.
It’s time so as to add freesia to your backyard planner in the present day for a strong show of fabulous, aromatic seasonal blooms.
Do you develop freesia? Have you ever any tricks to share within the feedback part beneath?
In case you discovered this text informative and need to examine different frost-tender flowering perennials typically cultivated as annuals, we suggest the next guides subsequent: