Freesia cultivation and care at home. Specific characteristics of freesia. Freesia planting rules

The homeland of beautiful freesia is South Africa. Gardeners of the French court were busy planting, caring for and selecting a flower. That is why freesia flowers are considered a symbol of the aristocracy. A fresh and amazing smell, the porcelain structure of the petals gives the freesia basket a sensual tenderness. It symbolizes youth, tranquility and love of life.

Freesia Features

The color scheme of the plant has all shades of the rainbow. Freesia baskets have a racemose shape, which is completed by a graceful peduncle, framed by xiphoid leaves.

The smell of freesia is similar to the amber of lily of the valley.

The plant belongs to bulbous perennials of the iris family. She loves warmth very much. Previously, freesias were grown only in closed conditions for the purpose of cutting. Breeders have received new varieties of freesia that grow well in open field in the southern and western regions of the Russian Federation.

Specific characteristics of freesia:

the fragrance of the fragrance lasts for quite a long time, so it is used in the cosmetic industry;
successfully used in landscape design;
the plant is excellent for growing both in open ground and at home;
red-yellow shades of the flower grow faster than others.

There are about 20 types of freesia and many variations, but cultivated - three.

hybrid freesia blooms for a long time and has wonderful view. The three main varieties of this species are:

Red Lion. The flowers are red, the texture of the petal is terry.
Vinita Gold. Yellow or orange.
Royal Blue. Blue basket.

Landing

Freesia is grown both in garden and at home. The plant grows well in both cases.

Tubers are taken for planting in open ground. The preparation of planting bulbs begins in early spring. They are planted in a substance that is prepared as follows: turf/peat/humus/sand.

Fertilizer with bone meal, potassium salts is added to the mixture of soil prepared for planting on their own.

Bulbs are placed in a pot for planting with a certain interval so that the sprouts can grow freely.

It is necessary to streamline the irrigation regime so that the earth does not oversaturate, but also does not remain dry.

If the climate allows, tubers can be planted immediately in open ground, after examining the condition of the tubers.

Planting is best done after spring frosts, approximately in mid-April - early May.

The site for planting must be selected in advance, taking into account the peculiarities of freesia care. Although she is from South Africa, she does not tolerate heat and direct sunlight. A darkened area, calmness, lack of drafts - this is all that an affectionate flower loves, and that ensures its normal flowering.

Peat is added to the ground before planting. The soil is loosened and pegs are pre-inserted in order to use them to tie the plant.

Holes are prepared for planting tubers approximately 6 cm deep, between 5 and 12 cm. After planting, fertilizer is evenly distributed over the holes.

To admire freesia flowers at home, they are also grown in flowerpots.

Summarizing fit requirements, the following can be distinguished:

Freesia needs to provide a long daylight hours.
The flower is sensitive to drafts.
The soil where the flower is planted should be loose, with excellent drainage.
Broad-leaved varieties of freesia need more space, narrow-leaved varieties can be planted more compactly.
Cut flowers are allowed after the first two flowers have appeared in the basket.
Withered flowers must be removed to useful material don't waste your money on them.
The flower loves moisture, it needs to be provided with regular spraying. Do not allow water to get on the leaves and dissolutions.

Freesia care

It is necessary to organize flower care, respecting the following rules:

It should be borne in mind that the first top dressing is carried out with ammonium nitrate.

Growing freesia at home

At home, the cultivation of freesia is aimed at winter - spring flowering. To prevent freesia from becoming moldy in January, the tubers are planted in the soil at the end of August.

The bulbs are moistened in advance in azotobacterin, prepared with the calculation of 0.5 g per 10 liters of water, with a duration of half an hour. Drainage substance and charcoal are settled on the container tray, then the soil is poured with the addition of potassium-phosphorus top dressing. 5 bulbs are placed in a pot to a depth of 6 cm. It is better to place a container with freesia in a well-lit room, with a moderate temperature. Until the leaves appear, the plant is not watered. After the appearance of the first leaves, the flower is transferred to a warmer place and watered.

Freesia care at home is easier than in the garden or greenhouse.

In winter, when growing freesia at home, it is necessary to provide it with light; lamps are used for this.
To grow a slender flower, you should not forget about the props. They will help the freesia straighten up and grow normally. In the care of the plant, an important place is occupied by the irrigation regime. Water procedures must be performed with settled water when upper layer the soil becomes dry.
When caring for freesia, one should not forget that she loves humidity and the spraying procedure is required.
Feed the flower should be 2 times a week until the leaves dry.
After the flowering of home freesia, the leaves and stem are cut off, and the bulb continues to be looked after so that other bulbs appear in it. Then the tubers are removed from the soil, treated with potassium permanganate, dried and placed in storage.

bulb aging

Proper storage of tubers- a guarantee of growing healthy and beautiful flowers for the next year.

In those climatic zones where cold winters are excluded, the bulbs can be left in the ground, covering them with spruce branches.

If affected areas are found on the flower, they must be removed immediately.

bulbs before storage disinfect with a solution of potassium permanganate.The procedure should be repeated before planting. Having grown this magnificence in the garden, on your windowsill, you can enjoy its delicious flowers every year, inhaling the delicate and noble aroma of freesia.

beautiful freesia flower

Thanks to the fragrant flowers of various colors, freesia has become one of the most valuable corm plants for cutting. It is not surprising that freesia, planting and caring for it in the open field, which is akin to caring for gladioli and lilies, is increasingly appearing on summer cottages.

Features of growing freesia in open ground

Freesia, originally from the African continent, loves light, warmth, needs loose soil and regular watering. Stable development and flowering can be expected:

with daylight hours lasting at least 12–14 hours;
in the presence of protection from direct sunlight and wind;
at air temperature within 18–22 ºC.

Violations of the light and temperature conditions, long periods of heat and drought, lead to the formation of empty, unopened buds on freesia or a complete rejection of flowering.

The place for planting is chosen so that the brittle stems of the plant do not suffer from the wind, and the delicate flowers do not burn the summer sun. Already at air temperatures above +22 ºC, the biological rhythm of the plant is disturbed, and this is reflected in the quality of flowering.

When grown outdoors, freesias are better acclimatized in soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. In areas with heavy dense soil, it is deoxidized and mixed with sand, peat. Soils poor in organic matter and minerals must be fertilized.

Plants are not hardy. In Russia, they must be dug up for the winter, and they are taken out into the ground when the threat of recurrent cold weather and frost on the soil has passed. If planting in the ground occurs in May or early June, freesia blooms from the second half of July to the end of August. However, this is only valid for the middle band. To see freesia flowers when planting and leaving in Siberia, not bulbs are transplanted into the ground, but plants already grown in a room or greenhouse.

Preparing a site for planting freesia in open ground in spring

A site for planting freesias is chosen in partial shade or under the protection of tall shrubs or trees planted on the south side. Such a natural barrier will protect the flowers from the wind and midday sun.

In the fall, the soil for planting freesia is dug up to a full bayonet, carefully choosing perennial rhizomatous weeds. At the same time, they bring organic fertilizers. In the spring, they dig up the soil again, breaking up the clods. Planting pits or trenches for bulbs are made with a depth and width of about 30–40 cm. Although the planting depth is much smaller, filled with loose, consisting of equal parts of garden soil, peat, humus and sand, the pit will allow the root system and the whole plant to actively develop.

Preparing freesia bulbs for outdoor cultivation

Bulbs purchased or stored after autumn digging begin to prepare for planting in early April. They remove the hard surface skin, and then immerse them in a solution of phytosporin or another fungicide for half an hour. This precaution will protect the bulbs from putrefactive bacteria and fungi living in the soil.

30-45 days before the freesia is planted in open ground in spring, the bulbs are placed in deep peat pots filled with nutrient soil. The embedment depth is 5 cm, the substrate is lightly tamped and then watered. With high humidity, freesias soon wake up and form the first sprouts. Now it's time to move the bulbs to the light.

It is important that the sprouts do not stretch out before falling into the ground, they are dense and healthy. Therefore, if necessary, plants provide additional lighting.

Planting freesia seeds

Like many related species, freesias can be propagated by seeds. From the moment of sowing to the appearance of the first buds, at least 8-9 months should pass. If you plant freesias in the ground in the fall, in the spring the plants that have already gained strength are taken out into the garden.

Sowing is carried out with seeds pre-treated with potassium permanganate or phytosporin to a depth of 3-4 mm. Best results can be achieved in a home greenhouse, where it is easier to maintain high humidity soil and air. Until shoots appear, moisten the soil with a spray bottle. Then accurate watering and illumination, which is indispensable in the autumn-winter period, are possible. Planting freesias in open ground and caring for them are no different from caring for plants from adult bulbs.

Freesia planting and outdoor care

The conditions for planting freesia in a flower bed in regions with excellent climatic features are different time. IN middle lane and in the Moscow region, planting freesia in the ground and caring for plants begins in mid-May.

If there is a chance of frost, tender plants are best left at home for a couple of weeks.

Bulbs are planted at a distance of 3-5 cm from each other. Freesias do not form a lush bush, so for more decorative effect in the flower garden they can be planted in small curtains of 10–15 pieces, not forgetting to provide the stems with reliable support.

To simplify care in the open field when planting freesias for cutting, leave at least 15 cm between rows.

The depth of planting bulbs depends on their size and soil properties.

On light sandy loams, freesias are deepened by 10–12 cm.
On loose, fertile garden soil, the bottom of the bulb should be at a depth of 7–9 cm.
In dense soil, freesia is most difficult to develop a root system and sprout. Here the bulbs are planted at a depth of 5-6 cm.

Carefor freesia when grown outdoors

From the moment of planting until the digging of the bulbs in autumn, the flowers need watering, loosening the soil, removing weeds and complex top dressing.

Due to the fragility of the bare stems, bearing a mass of buds, supports must be provided for freesias.

It would seem that such care is practically indistinguishable from caring for lilies, irises, gladioli. But growing freesia, as well as caring for it in the open field, is associated with some difficulties.

The fact is that freesia blooms only at temperatures below +22 ºC. In order for the leaves and flowers not to suffer from a lack of moisture, the air must be constantly humid, it is extremely difficult for plants to endure sharp fluctuations in day and night temperatures. Because of these features, the flower is often grown in greenhouses or under greenhouses.

In open ground, freesias are regularly irrigated in the evening hours. warm water, trying not to fall on flowers and buds that have not yet opened. Watering begins immediately after germination and ends 2 weeks before digging the bulbs.

For fertilizing flowers, you can use complex fertilizers for decorative flowering plants or before flowering, apply a mixture with a predominance of nitrogen, and use potassium-phosphorus agents closer to the middle of summer.

In order for the bulbs to ripen better, and the plant to bloom again, wilted ones are cut off one by one or in groups. Inflorescences with two or more opened corollas are suitable for bouquet cutting. You can shorten or remove leaves damaged by fungus or pests. Bulb digging is carried out in autumn, from September to October, before the arrival of night frosts.

Preparing freesia bulbs for planting - video

Freesia or freesia (lat. Freesia) is a perennial corm plant of the Kasatikovye (Iris) family. The name is given in honor of F. Fries - a German doctor, botanist. Due to the pleasant aroma of inflorescences, freesia is also called Cape lily of the valley. The homeland of the flower is South Africa, where it prefers places among shrubs and on wet shores.

Freesia is very popular in horticulture and as a cut crop.

The height of the plant is about 1 m. The leaf plates are xiphoid, 15-20 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. The flower-bearing stem is naked, thin, gracefully curved. The top is crowned with spike-shaped inflorescence, consisting of 3-10 individual flowers. The diameter of the corolla is 3-5 cm. The colors are monochromatic (snow-white, cream, pink, red, yellow, orange, blue, etc.), most often the throat is highlighted with a contrasting shade. They can be simple (1 row of petals) and terry (2 more rows of petals).

What is freesia good for:

Wedding bouquet of the bride from freesia photo

Freesia inflorescences will be a wonderful component of the bouquet, they are especially popular in wedding compositions;
Flowers are used in the manufacture of luxury perfumes;
Very popular in landscape design, also decorate the greenhouse, window sill;
Varieties of yellow-red colors are distinguished by faster growth rates.

When does freesia bloom?

When grown outdoors, the first buds appear in late July-early August, and flowering starts by the end of the month. Remove wilted corollas in time so as not to take strength from the plant. The flowering period lasts 1.5-2 months.

Can be planted for forcing.

Growing freesia from seeds at home

Freesia seeds photo

Freesia seeds are sown in March. They are pre-soaked in warm water for 8-12 hours.
Place a good drainage layer of expanded clay at the bottom of the sowing container. Then pour in a nutrient soil mixture (sand, peat and humus in equal proportions) or use a universal substrate for bulbs.
Plant the seeds shallowly, up to 1 cm deep.
Cover the top of the container with glass or cling film, and do not forget to ventilate daily to get rid of condensate.
Keep the air temperature at 20-25°C.
Maintain soil moisture by irrigating with a fine mist sprayer.
The first sprouts will appear in about 10 days. Get rid of the shelter gradually over the course of a month.

Freesia from seeds seedling photo

By the beginning of May, the container will be completely filled with green sprouts. They need to be planted. Take a spacious container, plant plants at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Be careful - the sprouts are very delicate and fragile.

You can take the container to the balcony, but protect it from strong gusts of wind. Return indoors as soon as the air temperature drops to 10 °C. Provide regular watering throughout the entire time, apply complex mineral fertilizers every 15-20 days.

Around February, expect the first bloom. In August, dig up the onions to dry, in October they can be planted for distillation.

Reproduction of freesia bulbs

Freesia bulbs photo

At the beginning of flowering, the bulbs begin to accumulate strength, at this time baby bulbs form around them, the main bulb is also reborn. To support this process, do not forget to remove wilted buds.

After the end of flowering for about 7 days, the plant should be in the ground, then dig and separate the daughter bulbs.
Plant them for growing on the site.
In the first year, they will not bloom: in the fall, dig up the bulbs before the leaves begin to wither, rinse, pickle (hold for 30 minutes in a 2% concentration of foundationazole), dry and store.

IN room conditions everything happens in the same way (only for growing, plant in bowls).

Growing freesia in open ground

Growing freesia in the open field photo in the garden

Professionals cultivate freesia year-round, growing in greenhouses or greenhouses. We will look at how to grow a flower in open ground and on a windowsill (indoor freesias bloom in winter).

Freesia Growing Conditions:

The plant needs daylight hours lasting 12-14 hours. Shade from direct sunlight, light partial shade is possible.
Be sure to protect from drafts.
Fragile peduncles may need support (especially varieties of broken freesia).
The soil requires loose, well-drained, neutral or slightly acid reaction. A soil mixture of equal proportions of humus, sod, leaf soil is suitable.
Plant small-flowered narrow-leaved plants more compactly, and broad-leaved and sprawling plants - more freely.
In order for flowering to be abundant and long-lasting, it will be necessary to ensure a temperature of 22 ° C.
If the weather is too hot / cold, the flowers are deformed, empty buds grow.
Cut inflorescences can be carried out when at least 2 buds have blossomed.
Pick off the buds as soon as they begin to wilt so that the plant doesn't waste energy feeding them.
Maintain high humidity. When spraying, avoid getting drops of water on the buds and flowers. It is better to carry out the procedure in the evening hours.

Planting and caring for freesia in the open field

Planting freesia in spring in the ground Growing freesia from bulbs How to plant freesia in spring

When to plant freesia in spring

The bulbs are planted in open ground with the establishment of real heat when the threat of return night frosts has passed (about the 10th of May). Make holes, deepen the bulbs by 3-6 cm. Between individual plants, keep a distance of 3 cm for small bulbs and 5 cm for larger ones. Between the rows, a distance of about 15 cm is required.

After planting, level the soil surface and cover with a layer of mulch (peat, coniferous earth) to protect the bulbs from overheating.

How to feed

The plant needs timely and regular feeding. When sprouts appear, add a solution of ammonium nitrate (2 g of fertilizer per 1 liter of water). Then every 15 days, feed with superphosphate and potassium salt (4 g and 2 g, respectively, per 1 liter of water).

Loosen the soil regularly (be very careful not to damage the bulbs), remove weeds. These procedures are especially important at the beginning of the growing season.

How to water

How to water freesia

Follow a specific watering regimen. During active growth water abundantly, keep the soil slightly moist. After flowering, watering is reduced each time, by the time the bulbs are dug up (early October), it should be stopped completely.

Also, the plant needs to be sprayed with shoots and leaf plates. The procedure is carried out in the evening, but the moisture should be absorbed before sunset.

Diseases and pests

To prevent diseases, be sure to pickle the bulbs in a weak solution of potassium permanganate after digging and before the next planting. Also water properly: the surface of the soil should not be dry, but do not allow moisture to stagnate.

Diseases: scab, various rots, fusarium. Infected plants should be dug up and disposed of.

Pests: spider mite, aphids, thrips. Treat with an insecticide.

Freesia cultivation and care at home

Forcing freesia at home photo

In room conditions, freesia is grown for flowering in winter time And in early spring: in this dull time, the inflorescences look especially impressive, solemnly.

In order for flowering to begin in January, the bulbs are planted around October. You can plant freesia in a pot in the spring, you will get flowering 3 months after planting. Preliminarily treat the planting material in azotobacterin solution (0.5 g of the substance per 1 liter of water), immerse for about 30 minutes. On doing, they are additionally treated with a growth stimulator (epin, rootin).

Planting freesia in spring in a pot

For planting, you will need pots with a diameter of at least 15 cm. Be sure to lay a good drainage layer at the bottom (expanded clay, pebbles, clay shards), place charcoal on top. Soil mixture: 2 parts of soddy land, 1 part of sand and humus soil, mix in a portion of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. Up to 6 bulbs are planted in one such container, deepening by 5-6 cm. After planting, place under diffused lighting, maintain the air temperature in the range of 10-15 ° C, no need to water - wait for the appearance of leaf plates. After that, watering begins, the air temperature should be raised to 20-22 ° C.

Growing freesia indoors is easier than outdoors, and even in a greenhouse.

Blooming freesia in a pot photo

It is necessary to create optimal conditions:

In autumn and winter, the daylight hours are short, and the plant needs lighting for 12 hours a day. Place a container with a plant on the windows of an east or west orientation, use artificial lighting (fluorescent lamps).
Under the weight of lush inflorescences, the stems can be injured - tie them to a support in a timely manner.
Water as the topsoil dries out. During the flowering period, water more abundantly. Use softened water (thawed, rain, filtered or ordinary tap water, which is defended at least for a day).
During work heating systems the air in the room is too dry. Regular spraying of leaves and shoots will be required. When placed in a cooler room (loggia, glazed balcony) this step is not required.
Twice a month, feed with complex mineral fertilizers (continue until the leaf plates die completely).

Freesia after flowering

When growing at home:

After the corms have finished flowering, continue to water for another 1-1.5 months.
Then dig, cut the leaves and stems, treat the bulbs with a solution of potassium permanganate or another fungicidal preparation, dry in a warm room (25-28 ° C) for several days.
Sorting (damaged and rotten bulbs are disposed of) and put away for storage.

When grown outdoors:

When to dig freesia and how to store bulbs

Flowering ends in late September-early October. Dig up when the yellowed leaf plates droop. Further actions are similar to those described above.

If your region has mild winters, you can not dig up the bulbs - just cover them with dry leaves and spruce branches.

bulb storage

It is best to store corms in a grid in a suspended state. The air temperature should be 20-25 ° C, humidity - 70-80%. To maintain the required level of humidity, a container with water is placed under the grid. Every 4 weeks, inspect the bulbs, discarding diseased and rotten ones. A month before planting, transfer the bulbs to a cooler place - 10-15 ° C.

It is possible to store bulbs in dry peat.

Types and varieties of freesia with photos and names

Freesia Armstrong Freesia armstrongii

Plant height is 65-70 cm. The inflorescence consists of 3-5 bell-shaped flowers of red, scarlet or pink color.

The most notable variety of this species is the Cardinal (Freesia armstrongii Kardinal) - one bulb produces 3 peduncles about 35 cm high, each ending in a paniculate inflorescence (9-11 corollas each). The color of the petals is dark red, the core is marked with a yellow spot, the stamens are also yellow, the pistil is blue, and the anthers are purple.

Freesia hybrid Freesia hybrida

A well-branched shrub 1 m high. Coloring can be monophonic: yellow, raspberry, purple or combine several shades.

Varieties:

Freesia hybrid Ballerina Freesia hybrida Balerina

Ballerina. (Freesia hybrida Balerina) - the petals are corrugated, snow-white, at the base of the corolla there is a light yellow speck. The top of the peduncle 25-30 cm high is crowned with about 12 flowers.

Freesia hybrid variety Bruce Frye

Rose Mary (Freesia hybrida Rose Mary) - peduncle 20-25 cm high. In one inflorescence there are about 7 corollas of a rich crimson hue.

Pimperina (Freesia hybrida Pimpernel) - the length of the peduncle reaches 20 cm. The inflorescence consists of 7 corollas. The petals are red with a darker edge, slightly corrugated, the lower part of the corolla is decorated with yellow strokes.

Freesia hybrid Single Pink Single Pink photo

Orange Favorite (Freesia hybrida Favorite) - the height of the plant is 40-50 cm. The flowers are bright orange in color with a contrasting (darker) throat.

Freesia hybrid Hot Pink Hot Pink

Helsinki (Freesia hybrida Helsinki) has interesting colors. The perianth has a purple hue, turning into a lilac tone. The lower part of the petal is decorated with a yellow speck, the pharynx is decorated with strokes of the same color.

Freesia Royal Blue Freesia hybrida Royale Blue

Royal Blue (Freesia hybrida Royale Blue) - a tall peduncle (up to 70 cm) dangles in large corollas of a blue hue.

Freesia white she is refracted or broken Freesia refracta

A miniature plant no more than 40 cm high. Flowering stems are thin, sprawling. The inflorescence consists of 2-5 corollas of a white or yellow-orange hue.

Varieties:

Freesia Alba Freesia refracta var. alba photo

Alba (Freesia refracta var. alba) - a snow-white flower with a yellow throat and strokes of a purple hue.

Fragrant (Freesia refracta odorata) - the inflorescence consists of 3-7 yellow corollas, the base of the corolla is decorated with an orange spot. The aroma is pronounced.

Freesia in garden design photo

How to plant a freesia Photo of flowers in the garden variety Single Pink

Freesia in garden design photo

Freesia in landscape design photo

Freesia in the flowerbed photo

Freesia in the flower bed photo of flowers

How to believe in yourself and make your dream come true? An exquisite flower of aristocrats, a delicate and fragile freesia, will help you with this. Cape lily of the valley, according to legend, charges with unheard of militant fortitude and thus opens the way to victory. Not only that, the African iris (another name for freesia) is famous for the divine aroma of lily of the valley and a whole palette natural shades. Luckily, freesia is an easy flower to grow and is great for beginner growers to practice. Unlike other bulbs, its flowering is constant, that is, having begun to bloom in July, it will continue to bloom until frost. Take advantage of our tips and tricks for proper fit freesia in open ground, thorough care and cultivation, and you will undoubtedly win!

Types and varieties of freesia

The most popular types of freesia are:

Video: types and varieties of freesia

How to prepare freesia bulbs for planting

It is necessary to plant freesias in open ground at the age of 2 months, therefore, as a rule, in mid-late March, freesia bulbs should be taken out of the refrigerator in order to plant them for germination.

From the outside, all bulbs usually look quite good because they are scaled. But when you start to clean them from scales (except for the tips, you don’t need to touch them, only the bottom), then you may find dried specimens that you have to get rid of.

To stimulate the formation of roots, each bulb should be smeared with aloe juice - this is one of the simplest and most folk ways. Naturally, you can use more effective purchased products, for example, Kornevin or Heteroauxin.

Planting freesia bulbs for germination

As a landing container, you can use the most ordinary plastic cups (0.2 liters). Don't forget to make drainage holes in them.

Advice! If your bulbs are small, then in 1 cup you can plant 2-3 pieces, if large enough, then 1 piece.

Soil for planting should be used loose and airy. You can cook according to the following recipes: take humus, turf and leafy soil in a ratio of 1:1:1.

Step-by-step instructions for planting freesia bulbs for germination:

Carry out the preparatory procedures with the bulbs.
Choose the appropriate container and soil.
Fill the glass halfway with soil and water lightly.
Put an onion in it.
Cover with earth so that the tip of the sprout slightly sticks out on the surface.
Place landing containers on the east or north window, where there will be no direct sunlight, or on the south or west, but be sure to shade.

Video: preparing freesia bulbs and planting them for germination

By the way! If you want to plant freesia babies for germination, then they need to be placed in a fairly deep pot (about 15 centimeters) at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other, depending on the size of the children. In this container, the children will grow all summer, and in the fall they should be dug up and stored.

Freesia care after planting for germination

The optimum temperature for the germination of bulbs is + 15-18 degrees. In order to maintain such a sufficiently low temperature on the windowsill, you can use a screen, for example, from ceiling tiles. This effective remedy for protection from domestic hot and dry air.

Important! At high temperature freesias inevitably stretch and thin. As a result, their peduncle will be weak, and the flowers will be small. It is unlikely that such a plant can please the eye.

Gradually, the temperature outside the window will begin to rise, and hence on the windowsill, which should not be allowed, as the bulbs will begin to grow an excessively large green mass. Therefore, closer to the time of disembarkation, you should begin to make landings during the day on the veranda or loggia, when the temperature is above +10 degrees there, and at night bring it in and return it back to the window.

Freesia bulbs planted for germination should be watered like ordinary seedlings, that is, as the soil dries up.

When the seedlings grow noticeably, then it is worth installing small supports in the pot and tying up the freesia stalks so that it does not break off.

When and how to plant freesia seedlings in open ground

Landing dates

It is difficult to name the specific dates for planting freesia in open ground. As a rule, it is necessary to look at the weather. The average daily temperature should be noticeably higher than +10 degrees, and the soil should not be less than +10 degrees. Depending on the region and climate, the timing may vary. So, in the south you can plant already in April, in the Middle lane (Moscow region) it is worth waiting for May, in the Urals and Siberia they are most often planted in late May - early June.

By the way! If the seedlings are not yet crowded in cups, then you can wait a little with planting. If it has outgrown, then it is advisable to hurry up and plant it in open ground.

In general, freesias are not afraid of frost, but if there is a threat of them, and you live in a fairly cold region, then after planting, you should put arcs and cover with a film. Also, the ground near the seedlings can be additionally covered with a black film.

Place and soil

A place for planting should be chosen so that the site is well protected from winds and drafts, and the sun does not stand over the flower all day long. In other words, the flower should be planted in light partial shade.

The soil for growing freesia requires sufficiently nutritious, loose and well-drained. For example, you can add soil for seedlings, humus, or mix garden soil with peat 1 to 1 into the planting pit. You should also add superphosphate at the rate of 1 teaspoon per 1 seedling and mix thoroughly with the soil.

Landing in open ground

Step-by-step instructions for planting freesia seedlings in open ground:

Preparing a garden bed.
Spill the earth with boiling water to increase its temperature value.
The depth of the landing pit should be 10-15 centimeters.
Be sure to fill the bottom with drainage.
Next, you should fill the bed with fertile soil.
Water the planting container well in advance so that the seedling can be easily removed from the pot.
Plant plants as closely as possible from each other.
Be sure to tie the seedlings to small supports.
Spill planting with warm water from a watering can.
Mulch the top with compost.
Set the arcs and cover the landings with a film or lutrasil. The cover should not be removed for at least 2 weeks.
If refunds are expected sub-zero temperatures, then the ground next to the landings can be covered with a black film.

Video: planting freesia in open ground

Care for freesias in the open field

After planting and until the very digging of freesia in the fall, its care should include: watering, loosening and weeding the soil from weeds, as well as top dressing.

Freesia loves moisture and does not tolerate drought well, so in the summer it must be watered every day. But it should be understood that from excessive watering and stagnation of moisture, the bulbs can rot, therefore, after heavy rains, it is advisable to loosen the ground next to the flower. After the end of flowering, watering is significantly reduced, and then completely stopped.

As always, you can use nitrogen fertilizers to feed freesia before flowering, and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers during flowering.

Home care when growing in an apartment

If you decide to leave the freesia in the apartment and continue growing it at home, then caring for it is almost identical, except that it is advisable to water it before 17-00 in the evening so that the moisture does not stagnate in the pot at night, in other words, the earth dries up.

By the way! Freesia responds very well to evening spraying with “fog”.

And do not forget to tie it to the supports so that the flower does not break under the weight of the peduncles.

Worth remembering! Freesia is a light-loving flower, but it should not be exposed to direct rays, so it should be kept on an eastern or northern windowsill.

As soon as the plant enters a dormant period, in other words, it fades, the amount of watering should be reduced, and then completely stopped.

When to dig up and how to save freesia bulbs

In autumn, the bulbs should be dug up, cut off all the leaves, then washed, disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and stored.

Freesia bulbs are stored in the same way as any other (like onions or garlic), that is, in a cool, dark and dry place, such as in a box or cupboard.

Video: what to do with freesia after flowering - how to store

Freesia is an amazing bulbous plant native to South Africa that grows among shrubs and along the banks of water bodies. Because of the characteristic aroma, it is also called the Cape lily of the valley. The flower got its name in honor of Friedrich Fries, a German doctor and botanist. For more than 200 years, freesia has taken pride of place among flower growers. The peculiarity of freesia lies in its delicate flowers various colors exuding a delicate, very pleasant aroma that relieves depression and relieves stress. Many perfumers use the freesia note to create fragrances. It is quite simple to grow freesia in your area or on the windowsill of an apartment if you know certain nuances of not only planting, planting and proper care, but also storing the bulbs of this perennial plant, belonging to the Iris family, which includes quite a few species - 20. Growing can be carried out both in open ground and at home.

Growing freesia as a garden crop and houseplant

Gardeners and lovers of indoor flowers, seeing freesia bulbs for sale, do not risk buying them, believing that this is a capricious plant that requires special growing conditions. But is it? It will probably be a discovery for many that it is possible to grow freesia by creating certain conditions and properly storing the bulbs. all year round, and there is no difference where to grow it: on a windowsill or a flower bed.

Blooming freesia - fragrant plant

Indeed, for the successful vegetation of a plant, it needs a specific temperature regime, but in the conditions of a city apartment and in the open field, freesia in central Russia successfully takes root, gives a green mass and pleases with flower stalks of extraordinary beauty, exuding a real spring aroma.

The value of freesia lies in its fragrant bright flower stalks.

The flowering time of freesia depends solely on the time of its planting. For example, to get the first bud by March 8, the bulbs must be planted in December or early January. But in order to enjoy the aroma and bright flowers of freesia in the summer, it is planted in the ground no later than April, previously grown in a pot at a certain temperature.

Bouquet of freesias in a vase

This amazing plant can settle on your windowsills and as indoor flower for a while. The fact is that the value of freesia is in its peduncles, but the foliage and shape of the plant are completely unremarkable - it is somewhat remotely similar to the foliage of young garlic, i.e. there are no decorative qualities in the leaves. After the end of flowering, which lasts a month or more, the plant takes on the most common form. In addition, in this phase of development, freesia enters a state of dormancy, and its bulb ripens in a pot, gaining strength in order to please its owner with a new luxurious flowering during subsequent planting.

Freesias of different varieties are suitable for growing on the windowsill

Freesia types and popular varieties

Gardeners most often grow in flowerbeds or in pots hybrid freesia (Freesia hybrida), bred by crossing refracted and Armstrong freesia (Freesia refracta and Freesia armstrongii). All these 3 species are the parents of dozens of varieties.

Freesia Armstrong (Freesia armstrongii)

- a plant reaching a height of 65–70 cm. Flowers (scarlet, pink or red) are bell-shaped, fragrant, collected in panicles of 3–5 pieces. A tube white color with yellow spots. Leaves sword-shaped, long. Varieties of this freesia bloom from May to June.

Cardinal is the most popular variety of this species. The flowers of the Cardinal are non-double red with a yellow spot, 70 cm high. The leaves are xiphoid, the pistil is blue, the stamens are yellow, and the fingers are purple. One adult bulb throws out three peduncles, each of which has up to 11 flowers.

Freesia variety Cardinal

Fragrant freesia yellow with an orange spot

Freesia white, or refracted, or broken (Freesia refracta)

differs in miniature forms (not higher than 40 cm). The stems are thin, sprawling, the inflorescence is a paniculate spike, in which 2-5 flowers are white or yellow-orange. Blooms in April.

– freesia Alba(Freesia refracta var. alba) - snow-white large flowers with purple strokes on a yellow background inside the pharynx;

– freesia fragrant(Freesia refracta odorata) - yellow freesia, in an inflorescence of 3-7 flowers with an orange spot at the base. Smells strongly of lily of the valley.

Freesia variety Alba has a snow-white color

Freesia hybrid (Freesia hybrida)

combines the most best qualities their ancestors. Its bush is tall (up to 1 m) and highly branched, the brushes consist of large (5–7 cm in diameter) fragrant flowers of purple, raspberry, yellow and other shades, both monochromatic and two-color.

Variety Ballerina- freesia white with yellowness at the base, corrugated petals. Zev is also white, with a yellow stripe. In an inflorescence up to 12 flowers 5.5x6.5 cm in size. Peduncles 25–30 cm high. It has a delicate aroma;

- grade Rose Marie- peduncles 20–25 cm high, in inflorescence up to 7 flowers 4.5x4.5 cm bright crimson, in the lower part of the flower - white with crimson risk;

- grade Pimperina- peduncles are low (15–20 cm), in the inflorescence up to 7 flowers 6x5.5 cm, the petals are slightly corrugated, red with dark red edges. The bottom of the petals is yellow with red strokes. The aroma is inconspicuous.

The Pimperina variety is distinguished by a weak aroma, but the spectacular appearance of flowers.

Rosemary has become quite rare for sale.

Raspberry bright shade of freesia with raspberry insets at the base

Video: Types and varieties of freesia

All described types can be both simple and terry. The petals of a simple freesia are arranged in one row, while the terry one has two and three rows. Freesia of any kind and variety grows equally in pots and in a flower bed. Therefore, there is no need to look for freesia for forcing in a pot, but it is still worth considering the size. For example, any variety of refracted (broken) freesia due to a low peduncle will look neat in a pot, and in the garden, with proper support, hybrid freesia varieties with a long peduncle and large flowers will please you for a long time.

Terry freesias of different varieties

Propagation methods used for garden and indoor flowers

Freesia reproduces in two ways: daughter bulbs and seeds. The first method is the fastest and most troublesome in getting flowering. Reproduction by seeds is also possible, but it is very long and difficult.

Ground and underground parts of freesia

Features of propagation by bulbs

Flowering is the beginning of the accumulation of bulb strength in order to give a generous "harvest" in the form of flowering next time. At this time, children begin to grow near the mother bulb - from one or more. During the growing season, the mother bulb is completely reborn. Those. in fact, you get not the bulb that was planted, but a completely new one - replaced. When the flowers begin to lose their decorative qualities, they need to be cut off so that the plant directs all its forces to building up the mother and daughter bulbs, and not the formation of seeds. When the last flower has withered, the plant is left dormant for another week, then dug up, cut off the tops, left to dry in a dry and well-ventilated area, and then as described in the section on storing the bulbs.

Freesia bulb with baby

Children are separated from the mother's bulb, and set aside separately. In the first year, daughter bulbs will not bloom. They need to bulk up. They are planted in a similar pattern as the mother bulbs, but in a separate place. That is, a separate area is allocated in the garden, where the daughter bulbs are planted. They remain in the soil until the tops wither, after which they are dug up, washed, pickled, dried and sent for further storage, as described below. "Kids" ripen in the garden at the same time as the mother bulbs. Having gained strength and increased in size, they turned into adult bulbs, and will give abundant flowering next season.

Abundant flowering of freesia in the garden in summer

In closed ground conditions, everything happens the same as when describing landing in the garden. The difference fluctuates only in the timing of planting, which the apartment grower determines for himself. There is nothing more beautiful than blooming freesia in the winter-spring period, so the planting of adult bulbs should be in the month of October. At the same time, daughter onions should be planted in a separate bowl, and care for them in the same way as for adults, understanding that when the mother bulbs begin to bloom with might and main, the bowl with the children will be filled only with greenery, which will gradually begin to fade (simultaneously with the onset of the peduncle withering). and tops of mother bulbs).

In this state, a pot with children will look like

Brief step by step diagram bulb propagation:

1. Wait for the start of flowering of the mother bulb and, as the flowers curl (wither), cut them off.

A specimen of a peduncle after the flowers have withered

2. After the tops wither (September-October), dig up the bulbs, arrange them in a row, without cutting off the tops, in a warm, but well-ventilated room for a week.

Dug up freesia bulbs with leaves

3. Peel the bulbs from the tops and separate the children. They are easily torn off with fingers without damaging the mother bulb. Etch in any fungicide according to the instructions.

Washed freesia bulbs

4. Leave for storage for two months in a warm place where the temperature is at least 25–30 degrees. Only under this condition is the bud of the peduncle formed in the bulb. For example, you can put the bulbs in a linen bag and hang them on the side of the battery. Not on the battery itself, otherwise the bulbs will simply dry out, but on the side pipe. On the floor under the bag, place a container of water that will provide the necessary moisture to the bulbs. High temperature (30 degrees) and high humidity (70%) are the main storage conditions.

In this way, you can warm up the freesia bulbs, preparing them for further storage.

5. After that, you can move the bulbs in an open container, paper or linen bag for further storage in a room where the temperature is stable at least 20 degrees.

Freesia bulbs prepared for storage

6. For an apartment: daughter bulbs are planted at any time from August to November.

For the garden: planting bulbs in a separate place in the garden in early April. If the temperature exceeds 17 degrees, the leaves of the plant lengthen, and the peduncle decreases, or may not appear at all. Thus, the plant should germinate to the appearance of the peduncle (5 weeks from planting) in cool, light and high humidity. This rule also applies to growing freesia in an apartment in a pot.

7. Both for apartments and for the garden: wait for the leaves to turn yellow and dig out the bulbs.

8. Repeat points: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Now (in a year) you can admire the flowering of daughter bulbs.

Reproduction by seeds

Few people resort to this method, since it will take a long time to implement it (a year passes from planting seeds to the appearance of flower stalks), but it is quite feasible. It is better to sow seeds in a pot at the beginning of spring - the period when all nature awakens.

freesia seeds

Sowing seeds is as follows:

1. In March, in a nutritious and moderately moist mixture of humus, peat and sand in equal parts (or a special substrate for bulbs), seeds are sown, pre-soaked in water for a day, sprinkling them with a layer of earth no more than two centimeters. The pot should have good drainage from expanded clay. Freesia does not tolerate stagnant water.

Pot filled with drainage and earth

2. The container is covered with cling film or glass, opening twice a day for ventilation and removal of condensate. Seeds should germinate room temperature 20-25 degrees.

The effect of a greenhouse is obtained when a container with planted seeds is covered with glass or film

3. After 10 days, the first shoots appear. During this period, the soil should not be allowed to dry out by spraying it from a spray bottle, air the container with seeds more often, and after a month, remove the glass or film altogether.

Freesia seedling stage

4. At the beginning of May, the entire container will be filled with greens, and the time will come for seedling picking. To do this, take a more spacious container and plant seedlings at a distance of 3-5 centimeters. Freesia has delicate and fragile sprouts, so accuracy is needed when picking. A container with seedlings can be put on the balcony, but protect it from gusts of wind.

The first shoots of freesia

5. When the temperature drops to 10 degrees Celsius, the container is brought into warm room and continue regular watering, feeding the seedlings twice a month with any complex fertilizer for flowering plants. It is impossible to overfeed freesia - they react poorly to excess fertilizer.

Abundant greenery of freesia is ready for the appearance of a peduncle

6. In February, freesia for such a long wait and careful care will generously give you long flowering and bright colors, as well as the most beautiful and delicate aroma. It should be borne in mind that an adult plant needs support.

Lush freesia blooms in a pot

7. After the plant has faded, the flower stalks are cut off, leaving the bulb to ripen in a pot. Watering should be reduced, and by mid-summer it should be completely stopped.

Bulbs after trimmed wilted tops

8. In August, remove the bulbs from the soil and leave to dry, as described above. For winter forcing, these bulbs can be planted in early October.

Only freesia can give bright colors of summer and spring aroma in frosty winter.

Garden freesias: planting bulbs and seasonal care

There is no concept of room freesia or garden. This is one plant that, under the right conditions, can be grown both in a pot and in the garden.

When and how to plant plants

In central Russia, freesia bulbs are planted in early or mid-April in a place where there is no direct sun, i.e. in the penumbra. Freesia is photophilous (it needs light 12 hours a day), but it cannot stand the bright sun. If you plant the bulbs later, there is a high risk of getting too weak flower stalks or not seeing them at all. Freesia germinates, gains green mass and throws out a peduncle at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, but abundant flowering should occur at a higher temperature - 25 degrees.

Blooming white freesia in the garden

Some flower growers suggest first germinating freesia at home, before finally planting it in a flower bed, but this step is not mandatory in the agricultural technology of this plant. Starting planting, it is advisable to clean the bulbs from scales and pickle in a solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes (per 2 liters of water at the tip of a knife) or any fungicide according to the instructions, because if this is not done, adult plants can infect thrips or fungal diseases. Bulbs that are damaged or stained are discarded. Next, the bulbs are planted in a pot at the end of February in fertile soil (as suggested experienced gardeners), or immediately into the ground no later than mid-April.

Pickling the bulbs in a weak solution of potassium permanganate will protect them from fungal diseases and rot.

Video: preparing freesia bulbs for planting

The planting pattern is as follows: depth - 3 cm, distance between plants - 3–5 centimeters, row spacing - 15 centimeters.

It should be borne in mind that freesia does not tolerate stagnant water, so the plant must be provided with good drainage. To do this, a furrow is drawn 15 centimeters deep, expanded clay is scattered on its bottom in 1 layer, covered with nutrient soil, bulbs are placed on it with sprouts up (or already sprouted plants with leaves are laid out with a clod of earth), and sprinkled with earth to the end of the furrow.

Planting pre-germinated freesias in open ground

Video: planting freesias in open ground

How to care during growth and flowering

If freesia is planted in fertile soil, you don’t need to overdo it with top dressing - freesia reacts poorly to excess fertilizer, but after germination, plants need to be fed with ammonium nitrate (20 grams per bucket of water), and then, if desired, feed once or twice a month plant fertilizer for blooming.

Weeding and loosening is another important point in growing freesia. During the period of active growth and the appearance of the peduncle, freesia is watered very plentifully. The earth should not dry out, but stagnant water should also be avoided.

Abundant flowering of freesias in the garden

Freesia is a fragile plant, its peduncles break easily under the weight of the flowers, therefore, as soon as the leaves begin to disintegrate, they need to be supported with a stretched twine.

Freesia twine example

If a high temperature rises outside, and the air humidity has decreased significantly, freesia is sprayed from a spray bottle. This is important to do in the evening or very early in the morning: the leaves must have time to absorb moisture.

Watering freesia by sprinkling or spraying provides the necessary moisture to the plant

Freesia can be affected by diseases and pests that are characteristic of gladioli: spider mites, thrips, aphids, fusarium, scab and various rot. Plants affected by fungal diseases are immediately removed from the flower bed. Disinfection at the beginning of storage and before planting solves all these problems. And insecticides cope with pests on early stage detection.

How to prepare a plant for winter + storage of bulbs

As the flowers are dropped and the tops are tied, watering is reduced, and then it is completely stopped, the bulbs are left until the first possible frost in the ground (early October). In central Russia, freesia does not withstand wintering in the ground. In the south, the bulbs can be left to winter in the flower bed, but still it is very risky. If you decide not to bother with digging, then freesia must be covered with a layer of mulch 20 centimeters from straw or fallen leaves, but this may not save the bulbs from frost.

Laying freesia bulbs for further storage

So that the bulbs do not get lost in the ground, and it is easy to extract them from there, there is one tricky, but very convenient trick: the bulbs are planted in boxes with holes all over the surface, and then they are dug into the ground. In such boxes, citrus fruits are delivered to supermarkets. Firstly, by planting the bulbs in boxes, you will provide the plants with good drainage by scattering expanded clay on the bottom, and do not clog the soil in the flower bed with them. Secondly, with the onset of cold weather, the box is easily removed from the flower bed, and it will not be difficult to find all the mother and daughter bulbs in it to the last.

Using the example of tulips planted in boxes, you can see how bulbous plants are planted in boxes that are buried in the ground

Bulbs are stored at a temperature of 20–25 degrees and at high humidity (60–70%) - this is the most important condition for the formation of the future peduncle in the bulb. Parent and daughter bulbs should be immediately separated from each other. The mother bulb will give color next season, and the daughter bulb in a year, but on condition that it is planted at the same time as the mother bulb, but in a separate place. To feel the breath of spring in winter, some of the collected mother bulbs can be planted in a pot on your windowsill. This is called spring forcing freesia.

blooming freesias in a pot on the windowsill

Solving the problems that arise when growing freesia in the garden

Freesia has one feature: it must go through a long dormant period of 3 months at high humidity and temperature. If this condition is violated, the bulb has not gained enough strength, and therefore will not sprout at all, and when it is dug out, the formation of several daughter bulbs can be found.

The reason why freesia does not bloom is also not observing the temperature regime. And no feeding, transplanting or anything else will help such a plant. As a rule, sellers store bulbs in the refrigerator, so they need to be warmed up. In addition, the freesia will not throw out the peduncle if the entrances have already appeared, but there was a sudden bad weather, and the temperature dropped below three degrees Celsius. Also, at too high a temperature in the first 5 weeks, the freesia refuses to bloom. Mid-May is already late for planting freesia in the garden.

If the freesia leaves lie down, then the temperature outside is too high. The reason for the yellowing and drying tips of the leaves of the plant is excessive or insufficient watering. At low humidity, the plant also gives a signal with yellowing leaf tips. Besides, a large number of fertilizing may not be the best way to affect the condition of the plant.

Freesia at home: caring for a flower that grows at home on the windowsill

Any variety of freesia can be grown in a pot, but still hybrids are best suited for this purpose. Growing a plant in the middle of winter that exudes purity, freshness and crazy colors of summer is quite simple, knowing a few subtleties.

Pink freesia in a pot will relieve winter depression

How to plant freesia in a pot

Before planting freesia in a pot, the bulbs that have passed the period of proper temperature storage are peeled to avoid the occurrence of fungal diseases and kept for an hour in any disinfectant solution (fungicide). Planting freesias and getting flowering in closed ground can occur in 3 different seasons: normal flowering (mid-August to mid-October); earlier flowering (from mid-May to mid-August); late flowering (from mid-November to mid-February).

Young freesia seedlings in a pot require special attention in the first 5 weeks

Video: freesia two weeks after planting

Important steps for planting freesia in a pot for winter forcing:

In October, expanded clay is laid on the bottom of the pot without holes, but if the pot has good holes to drain excess water, then this is not necessary.
In a ready-made moisture-intensive substrate for bulbs or home-made soil from peat, leafy, humus and soddy soil, the bulbs are planted to a depth of 3 cm and a distance of 3–5 cm. There is no need to cover the pot with foil.
Place the container with planted bulbs in a well-ventilated area where the temperature does not exceed 15 degrees.
After germination, feed the plants with a complex mineral composition, and then repeat top dressing twice a month.
Install a support for the emerging leaves.
After the end of flowering, cut off all the tops and gradually stop watering, leaving the bulbs to ripen.

Table: Freesia conditions depending on the season: lighting, humidity, temperature

Features of watering, top dressing

Freesia is sensitive to watering. It cannot be overfilled, nor can it be underfilled. The soil is moistened as it dries, but not completely dry. It is best to water the freesia from below, placing the pot with young seedlings in a container into which to pour water to the bottom.

It is necessary to feed freesia every two weeks with a standard mineral complex for flowers. Too frequent feeding for freesia is harmful. She will “tell” about it, demonstrating the yellowing leaves.

Solving problems that often arise with indoor freesias: treatment for diseases and pests

Table: freesia pests

Untreated freesia bulbs can be affected different types rot or fungal diseases, of which there are a great many. To avoid bulb diseases, it is enough to process in antifungal drugs after digging and before planting, as well as without fail to remove the husk from them.

Photo gallery: pests characteristic of freesia

Table: diseases characteristic of freesia

The defeat of fusarium and scab on the example of gladiolus bulbs

Useful feedback on growing freesias in a pot and in the open field

Freesia is a graceful plant that many associate with spring. Unfortunately, this flower has gained fame as a capricious plant, but this is an erroneous opinion. Freesia is really sensitive to temperature conditions during bulb storage and growth, but it is quite possible to grow it both in the garden and in a pot on the windowsill, following certain rules. It is better to plant freesia in the garden in April, and in the spring - in October. So you will surely be able to enjoy the long flowering and unforgettable aroma of this delicate plant.

My name is Elena. Working with texts is probably my vocation, and gardening is a balm for the soul. Rate this article:

- perennial bulbous herbaceous plant family Iris (Kasatikovye). Freesia is native to South Africa. Freesia flowers, resembling miniature gladiolus flowers, exude a marvelous aroma similar to that of lily of the valley.

For this similarity, the freesia was also called the Cape lily of the valley. For an amazing aroma, as well as the possibility of forcing freesia at home in wintertime, turn freesia into a favorite flower crop.

The color of graceful and delicate freesia flowers can be any: white, yellow, cream, pink, orange, red, blue, lilac, purple, sometimes with a contrasting spot in the throat of the flower. Freesia flowers are arranged in a row on a thin peduncle up to half a meter high. Freesia leaves are long, belt-shaped, bright green. Freesias reproduce in the same way as gladioli - by replacing corms and seeds.

Now it is not difficult to purchase planting material. IN flower shops and even supermarkets sell freesia corms from spring to autumn. And it is quite possible to grow freesia in the garden.

Planting freesia

At planting freesia in open ground easier to maintain the required temperature. After all, the flowering of freesia depends on it. But initially, immediately after purchase, create “tropical” freesia corms: place the corms in a linen or perforated plastic bag and keep them in a warm place over a container of water. After some time, root embryos should form, and a peduncle is formed inside the corm. Immediately before planting, the temperature of the content of freesia corms is reduced to + 10 + 12 ° C. Also, before planting, it is advisable to disinfect the corms with a solution of phytosporin or other preparations for fungal diseases, spray the planting material with Actellik from pests, and treat with stimulating solutions for faster root formation. If there is nothing at hand, treat the corms with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Freesias need nutritious, moisture-permeable soils. Freesia responds very well to the introduction of rotted humus or compost and the addition of complete mineral fertilizer. Optimal indicator soil acidity (pH) for freesia - 6.0-6.8, that is, the soil should be neutral. To reduce the acidity of the soil, you need to add to the arable layer dolomite flour or in the autumn to proclaim.

Freesia should be planted in open ground in mid-April, while the temperature of the topsoil is kept at + 10 + 15 ° C. If you miss the time for planting freesia in the ground, and the soil warms up a lot, this will lead to the death of the already formed buds of inflorescences, they stop growing in warm soil and dry out. Because of this, freesia, even if it germinates, will not be able to bloom. The depth of planting of freesia corms on light soil is 10-12 centimeters, on medium soil - 8-10 centimeters, on heavy, as well as too small corms are planted to a depth of 4-6 centimeters. For freesia, you need to choose a semi-shady place in the garden.

After planting, freesia should be watered abundantly and mulched with a thick layer of neutral peat. It will help retain the necessary moisture in the soil until full-fledged roots develop, because while there are no roots, freesia corms can rot from waterlogging.

At an air temperature of + 13 + 20 ° C, freesias germinate in 2-3 weeks. If at this time it gets very cold, then short peduncles can form, if, on the contrary, at high air and soil temperatures, leaves develop to the detriment of flowering.

When growing freesia you need to know that too hot (above 20 °) or very cold (2-3 °) weather will affect the deformation of freesia flowers, leading to the formation of empty buds.

Freesia Care

During the growth and development of the leaves, budding and flowering, the freesia is watered regularly and plentifully, every two weeks they make top dressing liquid complex fertilizers containing micro and macro elements.

In mid-August, the first freesia flowers bloom, and then your garden will be filled with a unique lily of the valley aroma. On one peduncle there are up to ten buds, sometimes one or two more lateral inflorescences can grow. The flowering of freesia in the garden lasts from mid-August to the end of September and does not suffer from the first possible frosts.

When planting freesia, immediately take care of the support for the peduncles (so as not to damage the corms in the ground later). Freesia flower stalks are very weak and can be very twisted.

Withered inflorescences must be removed in a timely manner, preventing the formation of seeds, so that the nutrients from the corm are not consumed, but go to the formation of a new replacement bulb.

When the leaves begin to turn yellow, freesia corms need to be dug out without waiting for the leaves to dry completely, otherwise you can simply lose the corms. To avoid loss planting material you can plant freesia corms in containers that will make it much easier to plant and dig up freesia corms: in spring you need to bury containers with already planted freesias, and in autumn just remove them from the ground. Planting in containers will allow you to find a better place in the garden in the future, where the freesias will be most comfortable.

After removing the freesia corms from the ground, it is necessary to sort out, clean from old scales and roots, discard diseased, damaged corms. Before placing the corms in storage, treat them with fungicides (phytosporin, foundationazole, Maxim) and insecticides to destroy all pests. After this treatment, the corms must be dried and stored under specific conditions: for three to four months, the corms must be stored at an elevated temperature (25-30 °) and in conditions of high humidity.

Diseases and pests of freesia

In the garden, freesia flowers can be affected by aphids, spider mites, and thrips. When they are found, plants must be treated with insecticides or any folk remedies to help get rid of pests.

Freesia is also affected by diseases such as fusarium, various rot, scab. To prevent diseases, it is necessary to observe agricultural technology.

Watering is carried out only with settled warm water, and not cold from the tap; freesia should be watered no later than five o'clock in the evening so that the leaves can dry out before nightfall. There should be space between adjacent plants. Stagnation of air in humid weather with strong condensation is detrimental to any plants.

If you notice signs of rot or fusariosis on freesia leaves, treat the plants with fungicides.

If freesias are affected by viral diseases that cause necrosis of flowers or leaves, you will have to get rid of infected plants, otherwise the virus may pass to neighboring ones.

Image copyright flickr.com: 澎湖小雲雀, badthings, afagen, joysaphine, louisa_catlover, thehutch, liseo, wiccked, Ava Babili, Mundoo, faeparsons

Freesia flower (freesia) is a bright representative of bulbous plants. The flower is also called freesia or vriesia. Grow perennial culture family Kasatikovye can be on the site and at home. There are more than twenty subspecies of the plant. Hybrid representatives of freesias are especially popular. The flower is widespread in southern Africa. In its natural environment, the culture lives in groups with other green spaces and near water bodies. The refined aroma and unique grace of freesia are especially appreciated. The flower is grown on an industrial scale to decorate bouquets and compositions.

This flower is amazing perennial Iris family.

Sufficient lighting

It will take a lot of effort to bloom freesias. Light-loving culture prefers brightly lit areas. Minimal amount sunlight daily should be about 14 hours.

In a closed room, place the flowerpot next to the window. On the street, it is desirable to choose a semi-shaded area. On gardening sites, it is often recommended to plant a flower in an open area. Direct sunlight favorably affects the formation of inflorescences.

It is preferable to plant freesia in a heap method. Multi-colored buds form bright and dense spots with a unique aroma.

At favorable conditions freesia can bloom all year round.

Temperature regime

During active development, the culture should be provided with warm microclimatic conditions ranging from + 20 to + 25 degrees. After the inflorescences wither, it is necessary to move the flowerpot with freesia to warm room with a humidity level of about 50%.

After 2 months, freesia can be removed from the soil. Planting material should be stored in a bag of peat at a temperature of about + 15 degrees. It is not recommended to place the bulbs in the cellar, basement or refrigerator. Freesia underground shoots may die. In room conditions, you can continue growing freesia in the winter.

Watering conditions

During flowering and bud formation, it is necessary to moisten the soil abundantly and evenly. An overdried substrate will destroy the inflorescences.

Excessive watering causes freesia disease. Waterlogged soil often leads to rotting of the root system. It is almost impossible to restore the plant.

Air humidity standards

The plant prefers a high level of humidity. Maintaining the environment at home is not easy enough. You will need to spray water daily next to the plant. Direct spraying of freesia flowers or leaves can kill the crop.

In open ground, it is necessary to water the flower no later than 17 hours. Moistening the soil in the evening is detrimental to the plant. Drops of liquid on the culture will not have time to dry. Excessive moisture in combination with low air temperature contributes to the defeat of the plant by root rot and fungal diseases.

The need for a transplant

Bulbs should be dug up before the first frost.

The culture should be replanted annually. Before planting, it is necessary to heat-treat the planting material.

Bulbs should be carefully examined. The greatest germination is guaranteed by small stems without dents and signs of damage. Woody freesia must be destroyed.

For transplanting, you need to mix leaf and sod land with sand. It is advisable to add crushed peat briquettes. You can purchase ready-made soil mixture for bulbous. In order to plant a flowering crop in the ground in the spring, you will need to fork out the freesia in advance.

At the end of October, healthy bulbs must be placed in the substrate. The container should be kept indoors high level humidity and temperature around + 25 degrees. During the period of leaf formation, additional artificial lighting will be needed. The first inflorescences will appear approximately at the end of February. At the stage of bud production, the daylight hours should be reduced by 3 hours.

Pruning procedure

To stimulate re-blooming, you need to cut off the fading inflorescence. This must be done before the stage of ovule formation. The plant will direct all the energy to the production of new buds. To cleanse the culture you will need:

plant in the open field

On the plot, the culture is abundantly covered with inflorescences for more than two months. Cutting off faded flowers will re-bud bud on secondary stems.

plant on outdoors should be fed with a preparation with superphosphates and potassium salt. Fertilizer can be applied no more than twice a month.

The soil on the street is constantly drained under the influence of wind and drafts. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly replenish soil moisture. However, excessive watering is detrimental to freesia.

In the open air, it is necessary to regularly ensure looseness and sufficient soil moisture.

To maintain the balance of thin shoots, stick a support near the base of the flower.
IN open ground the plant is often attacked by insects. As a preventive measure, you can process a flower every two months. soapy water. Surfactants contribute to the destruction of spider mites and aphids.

If, after excessive soaking of the soil, the first signs of decay appear, the freesia should be immediately disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or foundationazole.

Growing technique

The soil

As a substrate for planting freesia, you can purchase a ready-made soil mixture for onion crops. At home, you will need to mix leafy soil with humus and medium-grained sand.

Lay a thin layer of drainage material on the bottom of the container. Expanded clay, gravel or crushed polystyrene are ideal as a filler. When choosing a container, be sure to pay attention to a sufficient number of holes for draining water. You can add to the ground wood ash. The component activates the development of freesia.

Mulching

At the base of the culture, it is necessary to regularly maintain about 5 cm of a protective layer. As mulch, you can use rotted compost or dry leaves. The surface coating retains moisture and inhibits the rapid spread of weeds.

Fertilizer

After the end of the growing season, top dressing should be stopped.

It is necessary to feed the flower during active development, at the stage of bud production and during abundant flowering. For freesia, the multicomponent preparation Kemira-Lux is ideal. Twice a month, you can stimulate the development of the culture with a solution of potassium and phosphorus. The product should be prepared in a ratio of three grams of chemical components per liter of water.

For distillation of freesia, nitrogen components can be used (two grams of a chemical element per liter of liquid). In preparation for winter dormancy, it is necessary to stop feeding.

Failure to comply with growing conditions in flower containers often slows down the development of freesia. Indoors, you need to fertilize the culture weekly with half the dose provided for by the instructions.

How to choose a flowerpot

In order for freesia to please with flowering all winter, you need to choose the appropriate variety. Freesia "White" can produce new buds even in the cold season.

To form inflorescences, the plant should be planted in a suitable container. Flat earthenware vessels with a diameter of about 15 cm are ideal for growing in the garden. Up to 8 bulbs can be placed in each flowerpot. At the bottom of the container, lay out charcoal and greenhouse soil.

The secrets of growing freesia in a pot with moss can be found in the video:

Typical problems and diseases

The flower is affected by diseases typical of bulbous representatives. Lack of proper care leads to the appearance of various pests. Most often, thrips, spider mites and aphids appear on the culture.

The list of the most common bacterial and fungal infections includes fusarium, scab and decay of various origins. As preventive measures it is necessary:

Periodically clean the plant from the affected areas.
Treat leaves and stems with pesticides to keep insects out.
The extracted bulbs should be thoroughly cleaned of contaminants and disinfected with potassium permanganate.

Freesia influence

Freesia flowers are used for various purposes:

banquet decorations;
in interior design;
creating a bridal bouquet.

The aroma of freesia inflorescences can cause allergic rhinitis and dizziness.

Tropical freesia flower has a delicate and unique smell. A strong fragrance can cause an allergic reaction. Most often there is swelling, damage to the respiratory tract, dizziness and nausea. An antihistamine should be taken and contact with the culture should be limited.

Reproduction methods

You can grow freesia at home with the help of seeds and children.

Reproduction of freesia by children

Most effective method breeding tropical plant. After the flowering of the culture follows:

Freesia from seed

It will take a long time to breed a flower. For proper cultivation required:

Why freesia does not bloom

There are several reasons for the lack of inflorescences:

Planting material before planting did not go through a long stage of warming up.
The low level of humidity in the room caused the tubers to dry out. The stems will not be able to form inflorescences. Therefore, the material should be planted in the soil for the formation of new children. In autumn, the extracted tubers should be stored in a well-ventilated area. New bulbs will be able to produce many abundant flowers next year.
Purchase of infected tubers. Latent infection causes freesia to rot after planting.
If in the first week after planting in open ground the plant has undergone a sharp decrease or increase in temperature, the buds may not appear.

How to choose freesia

The supplier of planting material should be carefully selected. It is almost impossible to detect infection of tubers with a virus or fungus.

You can buy 10 Blue freesia seeds at a price of 76 rubles. "White" freesia is a particularly popular type of culture. A set of tubers is sold at a price of 150 rubles for 8 pieces.