freesia care

Generally speaking, these are the main characteristics of freesias:

• Freesia, also called freesia or strawberry, is a genus that has its origin in South Africa and owes its name to the 19th century naturalist Theodor Freese. It is part of the Iridaceae family and has some 20 species and a lot of hybrid varietiesmost of them currently grown in Holland.
• These bulbs, they are planted in autumn and then bloom in springThey reach heights of around 30 centimeters, although some can reach up to 50 centimeters.
• Its funnel-shaped flowers are grouped in inflorescences and can be one wide range of colors depending on the species or variety, but the white ones stand out especially for their great aroma.
• The leaves are thin and long and deep green. It is common to have them both in pots and in the ground, since the plant is suitable for both outdoors and indoors, although it depends on whether the climate is temperate or extreme.
• If you do get freesia corms or corms, purchase them in the fall for immediate planting, and look for them to be firm to the touch. The soft ones will probably be in poor condition or sick, so it is better to avoid them.

If you like bulbous plants, don’t hesitate to visit this other article about 15 bulbous plants: names, characteristics and photos.

Freesias are not a particularly delicate plant, but they are not very rustic or super resistant either, so they need some care. Follow these instructions on basic freesia care To keep your plants in the best possible shape:

• Climate, light and location: They are from temperate or warm climates, so they can be outside in these but they should be inside in cold places. It is better to locate them in a semi-shade area, which receives a lot of light but not direct.
• Substrate for freesias: They need a light substrate with good drainage to avoid waterlogging.
• Pass: It is convenient to use a little fertilizer such as compost, bokashi type, or earthworm humus.
• Irrigation: Although they need to have constant moisture in the soil, the most important thing is to avoid waterlogging so that the bulbs do not rot. During the hot months, when the plant is active, water fairly frequently but in small amounts.

Next, we explain in more detail each of the care of freesias or weight removers.

Freesias originate from a warm weather and, therefore, they do not support cold climates or frost, which can kill the bulbs. If you live in a warm area you can place them outsidewithout the need to move the bulbs in winter, but if the temperatures in your climate drop a lot in the cold months, you will have to keep them in pot inside.

In a pot, place them individually in small containers, or join several bulbs in a single large pot, always respecting a distance of about 10 centimeters between them. In any case, bury them about 5 centimeters deep. Containers need to have drainage holes. Both indoors and outdoors, keep them somewhere protected location from strong winds or normal air currents.

These plants do best under conditions very bright. However, the direct incidence of sunlight, especially in very hot climates or with intense sun, can spoil or spoil the flowers of freesias.

Bearing this in mind, the ideal location for them is a semi-shade placeeither in an area protected from direct sun in the garden, or in a very bright room but away from windows.

Like most bulbs, freesias require a soil with good drainage to avoid puddles and problems derived from excess humidity. If you plant outdoors, make sure to aerate the soil properly, and check that it doesn’t get waterlogged or retain too much water when it rains or you water. If so, you will need to add light soil prepared by yourself.

In a pot, use a light substrate for the bulb to grow properly. A mixture with one part of peat, another of coconut fiber and another of earthworm humus, with an addition of perlite, will result in a light and very rich substrate, which does not become waterlogged and has a large amount of nutrients.

These plants will appreciate being planted in soil rich in organic matter. You can enrich your soil or substrate with ecological organic fertilizer or manure, such as bokashi type compost or earthworm humus. Add some of this to the soil or substrate when the warm months begin and, thanks to this, the plant will produce more flowers in spring and summer.

In these other gardening guides from EcologíaVerde we teach you how to prepare and use these fertilizers.

• Bokashi or bocashi compost: what is it and how to do it.
• How to make worm humus.

These plants need to have a certain level of humidity in the substrate or soil constantly, at least during their months of activity. Water frequently and in small amounts, so that you can keep the soil moist without ever flooding it. Between autumn and winter, after flowering, stop watering to force the plant to enter a vegetative state, which it will maintain throughout the cold season.

To learn more about watering freesias and other plants, we advise you to visit this other gardening guide on When to water plants.

If you have planted your freesias very shallow, they may need a tutored. Use a stick or wire to support them and keep them upright, without sagging too much.

In addition, this plant can be attacked by red spider or aphid under high temperature and humidity conditions. Apply some of its ecological remedies or, better yet, go ahead with preventive measures if you are used to seeing these pests in your area. To help you, at EcologíaVerde, we have prepared these guides on pests:

• How to remove spider mites from plants.
• Home remedies to eliminate aphids on plants.

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