Source :
http://www.gardenpost.co.nz/growing-guides/freesia-growing-guide/
Freesia Growing & Cut Flower Guide
Outdoor Beds
1. Find a location where the soil drains well.
If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out
another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to
raise the level 10cm to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost,
ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available.
2. Site your freesia where they will get full day sun.
3. Dig holes and plant the freesia bulbs 5cm
deep and 5-8 cm apart. The bulbs look like small, slim onions. Plant
them with the pointed end facing up.
4. After planting, water freesia well,
thoroughly soaking the area. Roots and sprouts will form in the autumn.
Winter will bring taller growth and flowers will develop in the spring.
5. When in bloom, feel free to cut freesia
flowers for bouquets. This will not hurt the plants and having scented
blooms to bring indoors is one of the best reasons to grow freesia.
6. After blooming has finished for the season
leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. The leaves will gather
sunlight and provide nourishment for next year's show. Water as needed.
7. Later in the summer the leaves
will yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy. Foliage may
be removed at this point. Your freesia will rest for a few months before
beginning the next growing cycle.
Pots, Tubs & Urns
1. Fill your containers with good quality,
well-drained potting mix. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes;
freesia must never sit in waterlogged soil or they will rot.
2. Site containers where they will receive full day sun.
3. Plant your freesia 5cm deep and 5cm apart for
the most brilliant display. The bulbs look like small, slim onions.
Plant them with the pointed end facing up.
4. After planting, water freesia well,
thoroughly soaking the area. Roots and sprouts will form in the autumn.
Winter will bring taller growth and flowers will develop in the spring.
5. After blooming has finished for the season
leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. The leaves will gather
sunlight and provide nourishment for next year's show. Water as needed.
6. Later in the summer the leaves
will yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy. Foliage may
be removed at this point. Your freesia will rest for a few months before
beginning the next growing cycle.
Freesias for Cut Flowers
Freesia flowers grow along one side of the
stem, in a single plane. When you look at a flower stalk however, you'll see
that the blooms are facing upwards.
Freesias stems have the unusual habit of
turning at right angles just below the bottom flower. This causes the upper
portion of the stem to grow almost parallel with the ground. The flowers bloom
along the top side of the stalk, facing upwards. This makes them lovely to look
down into in a garden setting and ideal for arrangements.
Care and Handling
1. Cut freesia stem ends to create fresh surface to absorb water.
2. Remove all foliage below the water line and place in a clean container
filled with cool water and, optionally, floral preservative.
3. If you do not add floral preservative, change the water and re-cut the stems
every day or so.
4. Each Freesia stems will have 5 or 6 tubular flowers. Remove each spent
flower to extend the life of the coming blooms.
5. To help them last longer keep out of the sun, keep in cooler
temperature and high relative humidity if possible.
