Comments on: Freesia

By: justyna kostkowska

justyna kostkowska — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:02:33 +0000

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.

By: Jeremey Norris

Jeremey Norris — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:01:07 +0000

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”

By: Juanita Kern

Juanita Kern — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:27:56 +0000

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.

By: Petra

Petra — Sun, 31 May 2009 10:58:26 +0000

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.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:50:32 +0000

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.

By: Chandra

Chandra — Sat, 09 May 2009 05:47:53 +0000

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.

By: Connie Hochberg

Connie Hochberg — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:48:12 +0000

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.

By: Mary Tagiku

Mary Tagiku — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:03:37 +0000

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.

By: Lan

Lan — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:47:59 +0000

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.

By: Sue B

Sue B — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:11:27 +0000

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