Freesia tips

[grawrc]

I love freesia but I've never grown them before becauseI always thought they were difficult. This year I've started getting into growing flowers for cutting with some success so I've bought some freesia corms. I'd really welcome some advice on what are the best growing conditions, when to plant and so on!!

[grawrc]

[manicscousers]

I can tell you they don't like heavy clay soil, Anne 
Best flowers I get are in pots of sharp, gritty sand mixed with soil, had some beauties this year, first time I've ever been able to grow them

[lottie lou]

Yippee, one of mine flowered as well this year.  First time ever.

[ed dibbles]

I pot them up on late summer and they come into growth naturally in about a month. Keep them in a light but frost free place over winter and they will come into bloom in early/mid spring.

Let the corms die back after flowering but leave them dry in their pots in a sunny place for a good baking in the summer.

In late summer shake them out of their pots and repeat the process. You should also find the corms  have multiplied quite a bit too.

[grawrc]

Thank you for the advice. Looks like they'll do best in pots in very free-draining compost. Probably too cold in my  unheated greenhouse but maybe OK in my very bright unheated porch?

[ed dibbles]

Your unheated porch should be fine. This year I shall be moving them to an unheated bedroom but all previous years they have overwintered in an unheated greenhouse but well protected with fleece/bubble wrap on the cold frosty nights.

Once you get the knack they are not difficult to grow and so welcome for early colour as well as their wonderful scent.