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
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Freesia.jpg)
thanks for this - you have inspired me for next year
any advice on getting started?
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
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
Thanks, Busy Lizzie. :)
G x
I love them One of my daughters has often bought me some, as she knows I love the scent.. Great pic Georgie.
Thanks, Lorna. The lavender blue ones are coming out today. Will take a picture when they are out more fully. :)
G x
Well done G, I haven't grown freesias before either, I think you've just inspired me to grow them for next year :)
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
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.
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
heavenly & that goes for the smell too ;D
heavenly it is - love the idea of bringing them into the house early in the year :D
Here are the lavender ones. ;D G x
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Fressia4.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/georgie_girl15/Freesia3.jpg)
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!
Georgie they are stunning, might be tempted to try some myself. Will the bulbs (?) grow again next year do you think ?
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