How many degrees of cold can Freesia tolerate best
Do you know this? The best temperature for Freesia to tolerate cold and the knowledge of flowers and plants that are cold-tolerant in northern winter, the specific content is as follows:
If you want to grow a type of flowering plant on the balcony that is easy to care for with beautiful flowers and a strong fragrance, Blue Demon recommends growing a pot of Freesia.
Freesia Introduction
Freesia is also known as the little orchid. Although there is an orchid character in its name, it actually has nothing to do with orchids. Freesia belongs to the Freesia genus of the iris family, which is a perennial bulbous flower. It has a rich color, 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 cut flower material.
Freesia Planting Methods and Care
As a bulbous flower, Freesia is generally easy to survive, but it is prone to leggy growth and lodging. Therefore, to achieve an elegant posture for potted Freesia, it is recommended to pay attention to the following points during management.
1. Pre-treatment of Bulbs
Freesia prefers a relatively stable environment and the suitable growth temperature is between 15-25 degrees. Therefore, the planting time for Freesia bulbs is generally between September and 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 removed before planting, then soaked in a fungicide solution. Since Freesia tends to lodging during flowering, 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 that it should not accumulate water, as most bulbous flowers are afraid of waterlogging.
When planting Freesia bulbs, first mix 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 point facing up, cover with soil, with a thickness of about 5 cm, then 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
How many degrees of cold can Freesia tolerate best
After Freesia germinates, it should be moved to a sunny position to receive light. During the early growth stage, you can skip liquid fertilizer and use some granular slow-release fertilizer. In the spring, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once a week to promote flowering.
In winter, watering should follow the principle of "completely dry before watering" and avoid excessive watering to prevent bulb rot. To control the growth of Freesia, you can water slightly less, allowing the potting soil to be slightly dry to effectively control the vigorous growth and prevent lodging during flowering.
4. Temperature Control
Freesia does not have good cold tolerance and it is recommended to maintain a temperature of 7 degrees or above. Generally, in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai areas, it can overwinter outdoors in winter, while in the northern regions, it is recommended to bring it indoors to overwinter and maintain sufficient light. Freesia brought indoors for overwintering can be fertilized with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer every 10 days or so, and watered moderately to prevent excessive growth.
5. Height Control and Preventing Lodging
If Freesia grows too vigorously, you can also use a dwarfing agent to control growth. Generally, when Freesia grows to about 10 cm tall, you can start using a dwarfing agent for spraying or root irrigation. When using a dwarfing agent, be sure to follow the instructions to avoid high concentrations that could slow Freesia development.
If you do not use a dwarfing agent for height control, you can also use bamboo stakes to stabilize the Freesia plants in advance to prevent lodging during flowering.
6. Surviving Summer and Harvesting 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, and plant them again in autumn. Freesia easily produces small bulbs, but since these may not bloom in the first year, they can be planted separately.
The above is the introduction to the best temperature for Freesia to tolerate cold and all the information about cold-tolerant plants and flowers in the northern winter, hoping it can be helpful to you. Don't forget to visit the Green Plant Enthusiast website for more flower care experience and knowledge!