Controlling Freesia
Sharing knowledge about the bulbous flower Freesia, controlling Freesia, let's follow the editor to see the specific content!
Freesia is prone to elongation and very difficult to control the plant shape; every flower enthusiast who has planted it has experienced this. Some friends soak the bulbs in a dwarfing agent before planting, while others have Freesia that grows up to half a meter tall, using all sorts of methods like setting up trellises and tying them up, which can be quite unsightly.
Located in the Huai River Valley (no heating indoors in winter, with the lowest outdoor temperature reaching minus 9 to 10 degrees Celsius), I have been planting Freesia for about ten years without ever needing to set up a trellis, generally controlling the plant shape to around 30 centimeters.
The principles to prevent Freesia from elongating are: plant deeply, strictly control water, expose to plenty of sunlight, and endure cold appropriately. Specifically, there are five key elements.
First, the planting time depends on the local temperature. The best time to plant Freesia is determined by the local temperature. Based on years of observation, I believe that planting when the daily maximum temperature is 20 degrees Celsius is more suitable. Planting too early will cause Freesia to germinate quickly and easily elongate. If the temperature is higher than 20 degrees Celsius during planting, you can also bury the bulbs in the soil first without watering.
When planting Freesia, the bulbs should be arranged at equal distances for future neatness and beauty. It is recommended to place smaller bulbs on the outskirts and larger bulbs in the center because larger bulbs will have higher stems and leaves in the future, making them prone to falling over, while the relatively shorter plants on the outskirts can act as supports.
Many friends have the following mentality after planting: hoping to see the sprouts emerge as soon as possible and expecting the seedlings to grow quickly. In fact, for Freesia, slower germination might be a good thing. Some of my bulbs only sprout after a month (ventilation must be ensured), and they still grow and bloom normally later on.
Second, plant deeply and apply sufficient base fertilizer. It is best to use an orchid pot for planting Freesia, with bulbs buried about 10 centimeters deep. Years of planting experience show that when Freesia is planted in a deep pot, the plants often grow upright, whereas they may fall over and look lethargic otherwise. I generally prefer to apply a sufficient amount of base fertilizer before planting, using soybean cake fertilizer mixed with wood ash, and then I do not fertilize again. Of course, top-dressing in the later stage can also promote the growth of Freesia, but it should be light.
Third, control moisture during the growing period. After planting, water thoroughly once and then place Freesia in a shaded and well-ventilated area. Before sprouting, the potting soil should still be kept slightly moist, and then gradually increase sunlight after sprouting. When watering Freesia during the growing period, strictly follow the principle of "watering when completely dry," and the "dry" level should be even drier than the usual "completely dry" (the balance needs to be gradually felt by the friends themselves, such as when the potting soil is slightly white). Excessive water combined with high temperatures can cause Freesia to grow too quickly, resulting in thin, weak, and tall seedlings. If you feel that it has already shown these negative trends, you can make appropriate pruning. However, pruning should not be simply flat, but rather maintain a certain angle to make the growth look more natural. Be especially careful not to prune during the bud stage.
Fourth, expose to plenty of sunlight. Freesia should maintain sufficient sunlight during growth, whether it is in autumn or winter. Let them enjoy "sunbathing" to their heart's content. Sunbathing is very beneficial for slowing down growth and controlling elongation—slow growth leads to sturdy growth. Note that "sunbathing" should stop during the flowering period, and appropriate shading can extend the viewing time of the flowers.
Fifth, maintain low temperatures during the growing period. Last winter, I carefully observed and experimented with Freesia's cold tolerance and tried placing it outdoors in temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees Celsius, and found that it grew well without any frost damage. Generally speaking, Freesia can fully withstand temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius and thus obtain a shorter and sturdier plant shape.
The above are my own experiences in planting Freesia, for reference only.
Personal opinion: gardening also requires insight and I do not advocate copying others blindly, as there are differences in region, climate, and temperature.
This article shares the complete introduction to the five elements for controlling the elongation of Freesia (Little Freesia), for everyone to learn and understand!