When Should I Plant Freesia?
Several species of freesia grow naturally across southern Africa. Cultivars encountered by gardeners are hybrids that display the showiest or largest flowers. Freesias may be grown as potted plants or as temporary or outdoor garden plants, depending on the severity of your climate's winter. The corms--more commonly but incorrectly called bulbs--survive outdoors year round in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9b and warmer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Planting Depends on Geography
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In frost-free regions, freesia corms are normally planted in autumn and very early winter. The cool temperatures and winter rains cause the corms to grow roots and then sprout foliage, eventually producing flowers 10 to 12 weeks later in spring. Where winters are too cold for freesia to survive outdoors year round, gardeners plant corms in early to mid spring after the threat of frost so the plants bloom in early summer.
Planting Tips
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Freesia corms need to be planted in a moderately fertile topsoil that is moist but well-drained. A slightly gritty soil enriched with organic matter also suffices. Plant a corm in a hole 3 inches deep. Space additional corms 2 to 3 inches apart. Once leaves poke through the soil, maintain an evenly moist soil that becomes neither soggy nor bone dry.
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Growing Considerations
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In nature, freesias bloom in winter and early spring in southern Africa, which has a cool and rainy winter climate. Thus, once freesias are planted, they respond favorably to these conditions. The perfect temperature regime is between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with nighttime temperatures in the 50s. Overly hot conditions cause plants to grow quickly and results in few flowers that don't last long before the plant's foliage yellows. Heat causes freesias to enter a natural summertime dormancy.
Alternatives
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Besides growing freesias outdoors in the garden, they adapt well to container culture, especially when planted in fall. In fact, many greenhouses grow freesias in pots to sell as gift plants or for cut flowers. An easy container set-up includes a 6-inch pot with drainage holes and peat-based potting medium. Plant five to seven corms 2 to 3 inches deep in the pot and then place it in a full sun location in a cool temperature situation as previously described. After flowering the leaves will naturally yellow and die back. Reduce watering and allow soil to become fully dry.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Colorful freesia on yellow background image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
