Freesia Armstrong

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Freesia Armstrong (lat. Freesia armstrongii) - a flowering corm plant; a representative of the genus Freesia of the Iris family. In nature, it lives in South Africa, in large numbers in the Cape region. It is actively used in breeding to obtain new varieties.

Characteristics of culture

Armstrong's freesia is represented by bulbous herbaceous plants, reaching a height of 60-70 cm. They are crowned with large xiphoid foliage of rich green color with pointed tips. The flowers are bell-shaped, fragrant, depending on the variety, red, scarlet or pink, collected in lush and attractive paniculate inflorescences. The tube is white, often covered with yellow spots.

Today, a particular delight among florists and gardeners is the Armstrong freesia variety, referred to as the Cardinal. It is characterized by short stature, about 70 cm, bell-shaped flowers of red color, collected in paniculate inflorescences. It should be noted that three peduncles are formed from one bulb of this variety, the length of which does not exceed 35 cm. As a rule, one panicle contains up to 11 flowers.

Growing features

Armstrong's Freesia is a rather whimsical plant. She loves warmth and sun. Experts recommend growing the crop indoors or in a greenhouse, but in the summer it can also be grown in the garden. The main thing is to dig up corms in the fall, because they are not able to survive the winter frosts in the soil, even if they provide good shelter.

Planting Armstrong freesia should be in well-lit areas with diffused light. Lowlands with stagnant cold air and precipitation are detrimental to culture. Also, Armstrong's freesia does not tolerate commonwealth with cold northerly winds. It is necessary to provide good protection from wind and drafts. The soil is preferable loose, light, drained, nutritious, moderately moist. It is advisable to add rotted humus and peat to the soil before planting.

Since Armstrong's freesia is very fond of moist air, it is important to spray it systematically. And we are talking not only about growing in a greenhouse or indoor conditions, but also in a garden. It is recommended to spray only in the evening hours, preventing moisture from getting on the flowers and unopened buds. By the way, faded flowers must be removed, since they take away the lion's share of nutrients from just opening.

Before planting, the corms are germinated. In the third decade of March - the first decade of April, the scales are torn off from the corms, after which they are placed in a fungicide solution (this is a drug that has a wide spectrum of action, designed to destroy various diseases and infections). The treated corms are planted in peat pots or other containers filled with nutrient soil.

Corm pots are kept on a warm and well-lit windowsill. The optimum temperature is 20-22C. It is important to ensure regular watering, avoiding waterlogging, as it can provoke rotting of the corms. Armstrong's freesia are planted in late spring, but only after the threat of night frosts has passed. Disembarkation times vary from region to region.

Since in the process of growth Armstrong's freesia forms lush "bushes", when planting, it is necessary to observe a distance of 50 cm. After planting, it is recommended to mulch the soil. For these purposes, peat and needles will do. Mulch will not only protect against weeds, but also prevent overheating of corms in the heat. Plus, the mulch will prevent moisture from evaporating quickly.

Culture care

Freesia Armstrong needs quality and regular care at all times. Systematic irrigation with settled and warm water is especially important. The soil should not dry out too much. With the onset of flowering, watering begins to slowly decrease, but spraying continues in an active mode. Also, important attention should be paid to feeding. The first feeding with complex mineral fertilizers is carried out during planting, then feeding is carried out 1 time in 2-3 weeks (depending on the condition of the soil), using only phosphorus and potash fertilizers.

In autumn, the corms are dug up, cleaned of the ground, dried and placed in mesh boxes. The optimum temperature for the content of the planting material is 15-20C. It is necessary to systematically check the corms for rot, while removing rotten specimens from the boxes.