Freesia

Freesias very fragrant,upward facing, zygomorphic flowers (i.e. all flowers growing on one side of the stem) appear from mid Summer to late Summer

Prepared corms are corms that have been treated with heat to imitate the South African growing pattern, where they would grow after a dormancy period through the heat of Summer. Prepared corms are available for planting in Spring for blooming in mid Summer to late Summer - for one season only. Plant 5cm (2in) deep in moderately fertile, well-draining soil in a sheltered, sunny site..

Unprepared corms (i.e. corms that have not been heat-treated to imitate the South African growing-cycle) can be planted outdoors in late Summer to early Autumn in mild-Winter areas that have very little frost. Plant 5cm (2in) deep in moderately fertile, well-draining soil in a sheltered, sunny site.These corms can stay in-situ to flower in Spring the following year.

Freesias are usually propagated by off-sets. In cool-climate areas, corms will need to be lifted in the mid Autumn to overwinter. Any off-sets attached to the lifted corms can be separated from the parent in the Spring, and re-planted when the parent corms are re-planted.

Freesias can be grown from seed, but may not flowers for a few seasons. Soak the seed with warm water for 24 hours to soften the hard seed coat before sowing. Germinate in the dark at 13-18°C (55-64°F) in pots covered with tin-foil. Seeds may take several months to germinate. Pot the seedlings individually, and keep them moist - don’t allow them to dry out - and grow them on at a temperature of at least 5 deg.C (41 deg. F) and no higher than 10 deg.C