Although the name "freesia" contains the character for "orchid," it is not an orchid . It is even more fragrant than orchids, with vibrant flowers and high ornamental value. When planting freesias, is it possible to grow them without digging up the bulbs? Let's find out.
Can freesias be grown without digging up the bulbs?
After freesia bulbs wither, there's no need to dig them up. The bulbs have a long dormancy period of about 50-60 days, so they can be preserved in the pot. Alternatively, you can dig them up, wrap them in paper, and place them in a drawer, but don't seal it too tightly; leave a small gap for ventilation. Or you can put them in a cloth bag and hang them in a cool, well-ventilated place. When digging up bulbs, wait until all the leaves and stems have withered and the soil is completely dry. At this point, the bulbs are dry and can be stored directly.
How to grow freesias?
1. Soil
The soil should be loose and well-draining, as freesias are bulbous plants and are particularly susceptible to waterlogging. Furthermore, the freesia bulbs should be buried relatively deep, about four to five centimeters above the soil surface. This prevents the roots from becoming too shallow and causing the plant to topple over.
2. Light
Freesias love plenty of sunlight, so after planting, place them in the sunniest spot. If the light is too weak, the seedlings will grow leggy. Placing them in a sunny spot will help dwarf the plant.
3. Dwarfing
Freesia leaves are tall and thin and easily fall over, making the flowers very unsightly. After planting freesia, it will grow roots and sprout new shoots. When the new shoots have grown two to three leaves, it is necessary to dwarf them. You can spray with paclobutrazol, which is also known as chlormequat chloride. The solution is 1:500, applied every ten days. Start watering when there are two or three leaves. After two applications, there will be a noticeable improvement.
4. Water and fertilizer
After planting the freesia bulbs, ensure they have sufficient fertilizer and water. Apply organic liquid fertilizer every two weeks, or you can apply an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer. Water the freesia bulbs properly, keeping the potting soil moist but not waterlogged or too dry. Follow the principle of watering only when the soil is dry to the touch, and not watering when the soil is not too wet.
