Method and Maintenance of Freesia Planting
An introduction to the green plant flowers regarding Freesia, followed by a comprehensive introduction.
If you want to grow a type of potted plant on the balcony that has beautiful flowers, a strong fragrance, and is easy to manage, Freesia is recommended. Today's article focuses on how to cultivate Freesia to make it bloom.
Freesia Introduction
Freesia is also known as the little iris. Although its name contains "lan," it is not related to orchids. Freesia belongs to the Freesia genus of the iris family, which is a perennial bulbous flower. It has a rich color palette, bright colors, and a strong fragrance, making it very suitable for potting. It is easy to manage and is loved by many flower enthusiasts. Freesia has a long blooming period and is often used as a cut flower material.
Method and Maintenance of Freesia Planting
As a bulbous flower, Freesia is generally easy to keep alive, but it tends to grow tall and fall over easily. Therefore, to achieve an elegant posture for potted Freesia, it is recommended to manage the following points.
1. -- Pre-planting Treatment of Bulbs --
Freesia prefers a relatively stable environment with a suitable growth temperature of 15-25 degrees. Therefore, the planting time for Freesia bulbs is generally from September to November, and they will bloom in spring from April to May after planting.
The surface of Freesia bulbs has a layer of dried skin, which should be peeled off before planting, then soaked in a carbendazim solution. Since Freesia tends to fall over during blooming, it is recommended to soak the bulbs in a dwarfing agent solution before planting to control growth.
2. -- Configuring Suitable Potting Soil --
Freesia prefers loose and breathable soil. You can use special bulb soil, general nutrient-rich soil, or sandy soil for planting. The requirement for soil is not high, with the standard being no waterlogging, as most bulbous flowers fear积水.
When planting Freesia bulbs, first mix the planting soil and base fertilizer at the bottom of the pot, then add soil to 2/3 full, place the treated bulbs with the bud facing up, cover with soil to a thickness of about 5cm, water the edges of the pot, and place it in a ventilated area to wait for germination. Generally, 2-5 bulbs can be planted in a 1-gallon pot, and 10 bulbs in a 2-gallon pot.
3. -- Fertilization, Watering, and Light Management --
After Freesia germinates, it should be moved to a position with sufficient sunlight. No liquid fertilizer is needed in the early growth stage; some slow-release granular fertilizer is sufficient. In the spring, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once a week to promote blooming.
In winter, watering should follow the principle of "dry before watering" and not excessive watering to avoid rotting bulbs. Additionally, to control the growth of Freesia, you can reduce watering slightly, allowing the soil to be slightly dry, which can effectively control the vigorous growth and prevent falling over during blooming.
4. -- Temperature Control --
Freesia is not very cold-tolerant and is recommended to maintain a temperature above 7 degrees. In the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai regions, it can overwinter outdoors, while in the northern regions, it is suggested to bring it indoors and maintain sufficient sunlight. For Freesia overwintering indoors, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer every 10 days or so and control watering to prevent excessive growth.
5. -- Controlling Height and Preventing Falling Over --
If Freesia grows too vigorously, a dwarfing agent can also be used to control its growth. Generally, when Freesia grows to about 10cm high, it can be sprayed or watered with a dwarfing agent. When using the dwarfing agent, be sure to follow the instructions to avoid high concentrations that may slow down Freesia's development.
If not using a dwarfing agent to control height, you can also use bamboo stakes to support the Freesia plants in advance to prevent falling over during blooming.
6. -- Surviving Summer and Harvesting in Autumn --
Freesia does not tolerate heat, and the above-ground part will wither and enter a dormant period in summer. At this time, you can dig up the bulbs, dry them, and store them in a cool and ventilated place, then plant them again in autumn. Freesia easily produces small bulbs, but since they may not bloom in the first year, they can be planted separately.
The above is an introduction to Freesia and its planting method and maintenance tips for green plants and flowers. I hope it can be helpful to you in your life!