Freesia is a bulbous plant of extraordinary beauty. It produces flowers of such vivid and intense colors that it is a real joy to be able to have them and contemplate them in the garden or on the patio, since it is also very easy to care for.
You don't need much to be happy and healthy, but since we want you to enjoy them from the first moment, we have prepared this special for you. 🙂
Origin and characteristics of Freesia
Our protagonist is a bulbous plant native to Attica, mainly from the Cape province, in South Africa, which is popularly known as freesia, freesia or strawberry. Reaches a height of about 30cm and it has ensiform, flattened, green leaves that sprout from a corm that is found underground. The flowers, which appear in spring, are distributed in a unilateral spike-shaped inflorescence, are hermaphroditic and fragrant. The fruit is a capsule dehiscent by three valves.
It can be grown both in a pot and in the garden, so if you don't have much space you won't have to worry about anything. 😉
What are their cares?
If you want to get a copy, we recommend that you provide the following care:
Location
Ideally, it should be outside, in full sun or in semi-shade. In the case of wanting to have it inside the house, it must be located in a room where a lot of natural light enters, near (not next to) a window.
Irrigation
You have to water biweekly at most, avoiding waterlogging.
Earth
- Flower pot: universal culture substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts.
- Garden: prefers those that are slightly acidic and rich in organic matter, but can grow well in limestone as long as they do not get puddled.
Subscriber
It is advisable to pay it with a liquid fertilizer for bulbous plants following the indications specified on the product packaging.
Plantation
Freesia is planted three months before flowering, that is, late fall or early winter. You have to leave a minimum distance of 5cm between corms and plant it at a depth of about 10cm.
Multiplication
Freesia multiplies by seeds and by separation of corms in spring. Let's see how to proceed in each case:
Seeds
To sow your seeds you have to follow this step by step:
- The first thing we will do is fill a pot of about 10,5cm in diameter with universal growing substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts or with vermiculite.
- Afterwards, we put a maximum of 3-4 seeds on the surface of the substrate and spread a little copper or sulfur to avoid the appearance of fungi.
- Then, we put a thin layer of substrate.
- Finally, we water with the help of a sprayer.
Now what remains is to place the pot outside, in semi-shade or in full sun, and keep the substrate always slightly damp. A) Yes, the seeds will germinate in 15 days.
Corms
If we want to multiply it by corms we have to wait for them to reach an easily manipulated size. After, we will dig some trenches of about 30cm around, and with a serrated knife or a hand saw previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol we will separate it of the mother plant.
Finally, we plant it in a pot with vermiculite or black peat with perlite in equal parts and water with homemade rooting agents in order to help you cast new roots.
Plagues and diseases
It's very tough; However, if the corm is watered excessively it rots immediately, hence we recommend using substrates that facilitate drainage or planting it in soils that do not have a tendency to compact or puddle.
Rusticity
From experience I can affirm that If the freesia is sheltered, it can hold up to -2ºC without problems. as long as they are specific frosts and of very short duration. If you live in a colder area it is better to plant it in a pot and keep it indoors until the temperature rises above 10 degrees Celsius.
What uses does Freesia have?
This precious plant used as an ornamental plant, whether planted in a pot or planter, or in the garden. It looks great in any corner, as it can also be combined with other bulbous plants that grow more or less to the same height as hyacinths.
Its showy and fragrant flowers are often used to decorate vases, as they last for several days.
Where do you buy?
You can buy corms at any nursery, garden store, and farm store.. It is such a common and beautiful plant that in any business related to plant beings they do not hesitate to sell it. You will also easily find it in online stores.
Its price is very cheap: 10 units cost about 2,50 euros; In other words, you can have 10 little freesia plants, each with a lot of flowers, for just € 2,50. It's very interesting, isn't it?
And you, do you dare to plant some? Do it, surely you will not regret it 😉.