Can freesia corms be left un-dug? The latest answer is here

Freesia, when grown as a potted plant, has extremely high ornamental value, and generally after flowering the spent flowers need to be removed promptly and the flower stems cut off to save nutrients for building up the corms; at the same time, it is also necessary to apply additional fertilizer appropriately after flowering, likewise for the purpose of building up the corms well. Then when summer arrives, we need to dig up the corms in time for storage, and replant them after autumn.

Because after entering summer, freesia will gradually enter a dormant state, and after the earlier period of corm-building, it generally needs to be dug up for storage and later use. If we do not dig out the freesia corms, then we need to create a suitable soil environment for storing them, to prevent them from rotting, so that they can sprout the following year.

Because after entering summer, as the temperature keeps rising, the freesia plant will gradually wither and die, while the corms are still alive but will gradually enter a dormant state. Corms in a dormant state can generally be planted at will. However, even if they are left in the original pot, we must strictly control watering and create a dry environment for them. In this way, when autumn comes, as the temperature gradually drops, with a little water the corms can re-root and sprout.

Although freesia corms can be left un-dug, if after fertilizing to build up the corms the ambient temperature is kept between 13°C-15°C and the humidity is suitable, the corms tend to root and sprout easily. However, under outdoor conditions, such an environment generally only appears after autumn arrives, so when growing conditions are suitable, they will gradually root and sprout, then grow into potted seedlings again, until they bloom. Thus they enter the next cycle.

Many gardening friends, seeing their potted freesia's branches and leaves continually withering when summer arrives after flowering, always assume the plant has died. So they get rather anxious, worrying whether their care and management methods were improper. In fact, this is due to not knowing enough about freesia's growth habits; as long as we learn more about this plant beforehand and then care for and manage it according to its growth habit characteristics, it is usually very easy to grow it well.

And the phenomenon of branches and leaves withering and dying after the plant enters summer is actually a normal phenomenon in its physiological and growth processes. There is no need to worry; simply manage it according to scientific care methods. And after potted freesia finishes flowering, if you are not confident that the corms can remain intact in the soil, it is usually recommended to dig them out after building them up, then dry them and store them in a cool, ventilated place, and plant them again when the temperature environment is suitable.