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Freesia

I live in NJ and want to grow freesia flowers so bad. I have tried for the last 2 yrs with no luck can anyone help me?

Freesia a native of So. Africa can be somewhat difficult to grow. In zone 9-10 where summers are dry and winter are cool and moist, they can be grown year-round outdoors but go dormant in the summer heat.
In the north (NJ) plant the corms in the spring in well-drained, sandy soil. Apply a 1/2 strength fertilizer every 2 weeks from the time they set bud to the end of flowering. They should bloom in 10-12 wks. (Hopefully before the hot, wet summer) They do best in daytime temperatures of 60-70 degrees and night temps of 50-60. When the sweet-fragrant flowers start to fade reduce watering and let the foliage die back allowing the plant to dry out, dig up the corms and store in a cool, dry place.

freesia

Freesia can also be started as a potted houseplant from late summer to early winter. Plant in well-drained potting soil, 2 inches apart. It should be kept in a cool, dark place and watered lightly until new growth start to show and then moved to a sunroom or greenhouse .

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13 comments to Freesia

  • Heather

    Heather
    I live around Ottawa, Ontario Canada. I have freesia bulbs to plant this spring and I was wondering if I have to dig them up in the fall like I do my glads.Can you help me please.

    Yes, you will need to dig them up in the fall as they cannot be grown outdoors in areas where the temperatures fall below 20 degrees F.

  • Sue B

    Reblooming freesia
    I dug up a bunch of Freesia corms from the beds and put them in a pot. Now, they won’t bloom, but the ones that I missed from the bed bloom in Spring. What is wrong?

    When you dug up the freesia did you let the foliage turn yellow allowing the corms to ripen? If not, the new corms might not have developed enough strength to bloom again. After blooming, the corms eventually die back, this takes 4-6 wks. and then they go dormant for 3-4 mo. This same method has to be duplicated when planting in a container. To bloom freesias also require lots of sunlight and night temp. between 55-60 and day temps of 10 degrees higher which may not happen indoors

    .

  • Lan

    I live in Toronto,Canada.Can I plant the freesia bulbs in Sept. to have blooms in June and July (as printed in the label) ? or they need to be planted in early Spring.After blooming do I need to wait for the 3-4 mos dormant period before digging up the bulb.

    Hi Lan
    Freesia are not hardy in Canada, therefore you will need to plant them in the spring when the soil warms up. You can dig up the corms after the foliage turn brown and dies back. Store in a cool, dry place until the following spring.
    If you are growing freesia indoors (greenhouse) you can plant them now in pots and with a little luck enjoy flowers 10-12 weeks later.

  • Mary Tagiku

    I live in southern california in Los Angeles.. I have planted freesia plants which are blooming now in the spring. After bloom is finished and the leaves are yellow, I understand that the plant needs to stay dormant for 3-4 months. Do I need to dig up the corms or can I leave them in the ground?

    Hi Mary
    Freesias are hardy in So. Ca.,therefore you can leave them in the ground. You don’t need to dig them up. Be sure to let the foliage die back naturally so that they can form a new corm. Keep the area that the corms are in dry during the dormant period (Summer). If that’s a problem dig them up and store them in a cool, dry place for the summer and replant in fall.

  • I live in Dallas and have bought some blooming freesia that have finished blooming. What is the best way to keep them alive to enjoy next year? I am willing to plant them in pots and bring indoors. Thanks.

    Hi Connie
    Dallas is a hardiness zone 8a. Freesias are hardy in zone 9-10. They may survive in the ground, if you mulch them over the winter and plant them in a protected area. Otherwise after the leaves have died back, dig them up and store in a cool dry place and plant outdoors in late winter after danger of frost has passed. Freesia is a native of So. Africa. They need a hot, dry summer for dormancy(3-4mo.) and cool, wet winter (45-60F) to start growing again.

  • Chandra

    I bought a potted freesia. Now the flowers have dried and the leaves are turning. What should I do next? I live in northern California.

    HI Chandra
    Freesia should be hardy in N. Ca. You should be able to leave them in the ground year round. Let the leaves die back for that they can rebuild the corm. see comment 3/12/09 Mary T.

  • Julie

    I live in Springfield, Missouri. My son sent me a freesia for Mother’s Day. Can I set the plant outdoors in a bed and will I need to dig the corms up?

    Hi Julie,
    Yes, you canset your freesia outdoors but you will need to dig up the corms. They are hardy in zone 9-10, you are in zone 6b.

  • Petra

    Hi I have freesia outside 10 hours a day on sun in pots in U.K but the leaves are turning brown.I water them every 2 – 3 day so they have lots of water but not too much. What to do?

    It may be too much water and too much sun.

  • Juanita Kern

    I live in Springfield, MO. I have a freesia plant that I purchased in a pot and it was blooming around Easter time. I would like to know if I can leave the corms in the pot and have it bloom again next year, or do I need to take the corms out of the pot and then replant them later? If I need to take them out, what time of the year should they be replanted in the pot? If left in the pot, should I keep the soil moist through the fall and winter?

    Hi Juanita
    Its best to remove the corms from the pot (May/June) and let them dry out, then store them in a mesh/paper bag in cool, dry place. You don’t want any moisture on the corms as they may rot. Replant in fresh soil in the fall (Sept/Oct).
    After bloom, continue to water and be sure to let the foliage die back naturally (turn brown) before you store your corms.

  • Jeremey Norris

    I bought some Freesia from Wal-Mart that have already bloomed… Can I trim the leaves and stocks back to the Corms. Then Let them Dry in a Cool Dry area. Once dried… Could I Try to Force Bloom them during the Winter in my house… if I use a Grow light for sun replacement? I know Freesia can be forced… Or is it better to Cut everything back and move the Bulb to new potting soil and apply Miracle Grow Bloom Burster to see if it will re-bloom? I live in around Colville, WA…. which is Hardiness Zone 5B. Thanks for any Input.

    Hi Jeremy
    You need to allow the green foliage to continue to grow and die back naturally. This process will replenish the corm with the nutrients required for the next bloom. If you cut the green foliage, they will not bloom. see After a dormant period of 3-4 mo. plant them in fresh soil. above comment “reblooming freesia”

  • justyna kostkowska

    Hi. I planted my freesias in the spring (came form a potted plant, the leaves were dried. Now it is end of October and I see big green leaves! Are they trying to bloom now? Should I put them in a pot and take indoors so they don’t freeze?
    I love in Middle Tennessee.
    THANKS!

    Hi Justyna
    Freesia are starting their growing cycle with a little luck they should bloom in winter. You will have to bring them indoors, they are not hardy in Tn.

  • Potted freesia
    I have a nine Freesia corn’s planted in a pot indoors for Late Winter or Early Spring flowing. it’s doing good infact one of them bloom early winter but some of the plant’s is die back before it get’s to the flowing stage. Some website’s say that a freesia need’s temperature around 40 to 45 at night. What do you say a freesia need’s at night so i can get back on track.

    Hi Jason
    They do best in daytime temperatures of 60-70F degrees and night temps of 50-60F. Make sure that you don’t keep them too wet and that the soil drains well.
    You might apply a 1/2 strength fertilizer every 2 weeks from the time they set bud to the end of flowering. Some freesia may not bloom due to improper storage or the way they were treated after bloom. Make sure the foliage gets a chance to die back so that it can replenish the corm for the next season.

  • Ace

    I just recieved freesia corms 3/6/10. I live in Fresno, CA, planting zone 9. I also recieved some ranunculus bulbs today, too. What should I do with them now? Should I plant them in the ground for next year (freesia and ranunculus)? I have some other freesia in the ground from years past and they are about ready to bloom.

    Hi Ace
    There’s still time. Plant them now and hope the weather doesn’t get too hot to quickly.

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