Freesia seed

[stanhol]

I have a pot of freesia seed I have had them for a couple of years but kept in an old film case dry and cool! Have tried for a couple of years running planting them and nothing!

This year, after beginning this RHS course I realised they would need scarification.So I have chipped some and split some planted a couple of weeks ago in my unheated greenhouse. Its really warm here though! And nothing!

Any ideas? Or am i just being too impatient!

Many thanks, Sandra

[Primrose]

I had the same problem so if anyone comes up with any ideas they'll be gratefully received

[runnerbean]

Try searching www.plantzafrica.com/plant

[stanhol]

Hi runnerbean, thanks for the link, but it didnt work!

Still nothing with the seed, will leave them you never know. Left some tomato seed in a pot after all the others had germinated anyway just as i was about to empty contents into compost i noticed the smallest speck of green and low and behold, a tom seedling! Amazing! 2 weeks after the others!

Had a though about conditions in Oz, which is where they came from! So have put some in a terracota shallow tray a little sand, in full sun in greenhouse and every now and then give them a good shuv round under a finger or two! Have taken 4 out today and put them between damp kitchen roll in a pot with lid in greenhouse. Will see how they go!

many thanks, sandra

[runnerbean]

Stanhol, try it without the forward slash and plant.

[stanhol]

Many thanks runner bean. Looks like a bit of a wait is called for, apparently germinate in 4 to 5 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing!

Will sow some more and wait!

Thanks again, sandra

[petermark1234]

Freesia is a bulb growing plant that produces fragrant funnel shaped flowers in the spring and winter seasons. The plant is native to South Africa and is similar in appearance to the iris plant. Freesia plants grow up to 15 to 24 inches tall and are commonly planted in containers versus being planted in the ground. Sow freesia seeds in spring from January to April or wait until August after the heat of summer. Seed germination takes approximately 25 to 30 day..Freesia belongs in the large and very diverse Iridaceae, a family of about 65 genera and 1 800 species distributed all over the world. Africa south of the Equator is home to the greatest concentration of species, 46 genera occur here, including many well-known ornamentals, e.g. Gladiolus, Sparaxis, Tritonia, Moraea, Watsonia, Ixia, Crocosmia, Babiana, Dierama and of course, Freesia.

[rockdigital]

During a long life which has included much interest in Gardening and plants I have never heard of ordinary gardeners using freesia seed. These plants are usually propagated by using the corms.