Forum home› Plants

Freesias

4thPanda4thPanda Posts: 4,145
in Plants

Hi friends.

I wanted to get my sister some freesia bulbs for Christmas. Duly found some and ordered them, and they arrived today image

My confusion comes regarding the growing of these bulbs. The 'instructions' say they should be planted now (which suits me) but web advice says they should be planted in the spring.

So. . . . should I plant them into pots for her or send her the pot and unplanted bulbs? 

Please help image

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,945

    Hi Panda - you can plant them now in pots and keep them indoors and they will flower in the early spring

    OR

    you can plant them in the spring and grow them outside to flower in the summer.

    Lots of ino here https://www.sarahraven.com/how-to/growing-flowers/4/how-grow-freesias0- 

    Love freesias - my daughter in law's favourite flowers - that's given me an idea for a gift for her - cheers!


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • 4thPanda4thPanda Posts: 4,145

    Thanks Brumbul and Dove!

    Glad I could be of assistance with a Christmas gift idea. Freesias are one of my sister's fav flowers too. I found my bulbs on eBay, ordered them yesterday and they arrived today. They look in good nick (bought some for myself too! It would be rude not to!) and were very reasonably priced! Not sure if this will work, but here's the link:

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321207183760&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:GB:1123

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,945

    Thanks Panda - will check out at the GC first as OH has a reciprocal staff discount there - if they've not got any I'll order some image

    Daughter in law wore them in her hair for the wedding image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • 4thPanda4thPanda Posts: 4,145

    That sounds lovely. No need for perfume when they are in your hair image

    They are always my top pick for cut flowers in the house. I love the way the scent fills the room they are in image

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    I planted some in a large pot in Spring and they did nothing until August when they finally sent up shoots.  They are about 10 inches tall now but no sign of a flower and  they've been in the conservatory since it started getting cold.  I'll either get flowers for Christmas or (far more likely) they'll continue to look like a bowl of wide grass until they die back!  No doubt if I chuck them on the compost heap they'll decide to flower!image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • 4thPanda4thPanda Posts: 4,145

    Gosh Bob, sorry to hear of your lack of success. I hope mine don't do that! Think my sister might wonder what the point of the present was! image 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    I think it's down to the size/quality of the bulbs - if they're nice and fat you should be OK.  Mine looked a bit on the small side to be fair - will buy them from somewhere else next time!

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Tropical SamTropical Sam Posts: 1,488

    I do like the light perfume of freesia. I have little luck in getting them to flower after their first year. I know that you are supposed to lift the bulbs, but I never do. The leaves come up but I rarely get any flowers.

  • 4thPanda4thPanda Posts: 4,145

    I'll be honest Blairs, I probably won't lift them either image My sister no doubt will!

Sign In or Register to comment.