© Mel B. (Flickr) Freesia in purple
© Mel B. (Flickr)
Freesias grow 12 to 18 inches high with sword-like leaves that are small and in the shape of fans. During blooming season, a long stalk will emerge from the leaves. This thin stalk will have clusters of flowers, each up to two inches long. Flowers are trumpet-like and scented with a sweet fragrance. Flowers can be a wide range of colours, varying from white, blue, red, purple, orange, pink, or gold.
Blooms can be single or double-petaled. Some varieties can have veined colours that contrast with their predominant colour. Freesias can be used as a cut flower, with blooms lasting nearly a week when cared for. According to the University of California at Davis’ Postharvest Technology, freesias do not have a standard grade. While they may not have a standard, there is a way to grade them in accordance with their maturity, stem length, and number of blooms per stem.
Freesias are said to be a quality grade when the plant has no less than seven florets per spike with a long and straight stem. Typically, quality freesias are sold in bunches of 10, frequently all in the same colour. Freesias can be planted in areas that do not fall below 20 degrees F. Plant a freesia in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade location. The bulbs should be set into the ground with the pointed end up. Staggering the times of planting the bulbs will give you a varied time of blooming. For indoor plants, keep the soil in good lighting with a sandy soil that drains well. If you are going to apply fertilizer, apply during its growing season. For the best visual, plant 9 bulbs for an 8-inch pot, 12 to 24 for a 10-inch pot, and 15 to 20 for a 12- to 15-inch pot. Freesias can be propagated by detaching offsets and replanting or by seed. Seed should be sown in the spring or very early summer. Put glass over the lightly covered seed after sowing. Remove the glass after they have begun to sprout.