Do Freesias Need to Be Fertilized?

Freesia Planting

• Freesia corms can persist under the soil where temperatures do not drop below 25 degrees Fahrenheit with a layer of mulch until spring when they begin to produce new sprouts and then flower in summer. In other areas, the corms are dug up and overwintered indoors and replanted in spring. They are planted 5 inches under the soil with the pointed tops upright and separated by as much as 4 inches. Fertilization will enhance the summer blooms

Types of Fertilizer

• Freesia corms will store energy from the sun if the foliage is allowed to persist after the blooms have faded. This gives the plant adequate fuel to produce the next season's blooms and sprouts. Under optimum conditions, this is enough fuel for the plant. But many plants can use a little help accessing adequate nutrients. This is where fertilizer comes in, and the application in spring of a good balanced fertilizer will spur production of the brightly colored blooms. The best fertilizer is a balanced ratio that is soluble in water so it can penetrate to the corms. The bulbs may also be fertilized by using an organic mulch that will leach nutrients into the soil to feed the corms over time.

When to Fertilize

• Freesia that are grown in pots are fertilized after buds appear. Those outdoors are fertilized before the flowers bloom and just as the sprouts are appearing. Professional growers fertilize potted freesia every 10 days with a liquid fertilizer, but this is not necessary for plants outdoors, where the corms will be able to spread roots and access other sources of nutrients. Spring is the time to fertilize when the corm is beginning to grow and has the roots to uptake the liquid food.

How to Fertilize

• Liquid fertilizers go right to the source quickly and can be taken in by the corms rapidly to fuel the production of the flowers. Balanced fertilizer offers the correct ration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to form leafy growth, flowers and roots, respectively. The corms are essentially starting over every year and will need to produce all parts of the plant anew, which requires high levels of the correct nutrients. The fertilizer is dissolved in water at a half strength amount according to the package directions. Formulations will vary slightly, which is why it is important to consult the manufacturer's recommended amounts. After watering the fertilizer into the soil, follow with straight water to help the fertilizer leach into the soil and contact the roots.