Topic: My first ever Freesia

[Georgie]

I've always loved Freesias but I haven't tried growing them before because I assumed they were difficult.  Then this year I saw some advertised in a catalogue and decided to give them a go.  I have 20 and this is the first to open.  It smells wonderful.   ;D  G x

[flossie]

thanks for this - you have inspired me for next year

any advice on getting started?

[Georgie]

Hi Flossie.  Well I'm no expert, obviously, so I just followed my instincts.  I'm growing them in pots in a mixture of home made compost, leaf mould and a good quality bought compost for pots with a handful of chicken manure pellets for pots and some perlite.  They are in a sunny position.  The leaves have some rust damage (at least it looks like rust to me) but that hasn't affected the flowers.  I did lose one flower bud - stem eaten right through - but it was impossible to determine the culprit.  I say give them a go.   ;D

G x

[busy_lizzie]

I love them too Georgie!  Well done! I don't think they are easy to grow so you have done really well to produce such beauties, and they do have a wonderful scent!  :) busy_lizzie

[Georgie]

Thanks, Busy Lizzie.   :)

G x

[lorna]

I love them One of my daughters has often bought me some, as she knows I love the scent.. Great pic Georgie.

[Georgie]

Thanks, Lorna.  The lavender blue ones are coming out today.  Will take a picture when they are out more fully.   :)

G x

[Leonnie]

Well done G, I haven't grown freesias before either, I think you've just inspired me to grow them for next year :)

[Georgie]

I'll let you know how long they last.  Although the spider lilies looked and smelled heavenly, they were over in a week.   :(  I'm certain the freesias will be much longer lived though, because each stem, so far, has two flower stems and there are lots of buds on each stem too.   ;D

G x

[Ceratonia]

Last year, I planted Freesia corms in pots in August and moved them into the (frost-free) greenhouse in autumn and then brought them into the house when they were flowering in January/February - fantastic smell and very nice flowers, especially at that time of year. They lasted 3-4 weeks, but obviously it was a good bit colder and a lot less sun than now. The stems were quite floppy, though and if I do the same this year, I will probably put a pea-stick in each pot to try and keep them a bit tidier.

[Georgie]

Gosh Ceratonia, I didn't know you could do that.  What a  great idea.   ;D  I agree with you about the floppy stems, I've added a few strategically placed bamboo skewers to keep them upright.   :)

G x

[GREENWIZARD]

heavenly & that goes for the smell too ;D

[supersprout]

heavenly it is - love the idea of bringing them into the house early in the year :D

[Georgie]

Here are the lavender ones.   ;D  G x

[Mrs Ava]

Beautiful, but I hate the smell!  Blame my first boss.  He loved Freesias and one of my chores on a Monday morning if he was in the country was to go to Marks and Sparks and buy 2 bunches of freesias for his office.  The scent was so strong, that mixed with his cigar smoke put me off for life.  However, they are really pretty flowers and I love the lavender ones!

[mc55]

Georgie they are stunning, might be tempted to try some myself.  Will the bulbs (?) grow again next year do you think ?

[Georgie]

Awww, Emma, that's a shame.  I think freesia is my favourite flower scent, closely followed by jasmine.

Hi MC.  I think they are frost tender so I will over-winter them in the mini greenhouse and hope for the best. 

G xx