Native to Southeastern Africa, ranging from Kenya to South Africa, Freesias belong to the plant family Iridaceae.  In a world where many cut flower crops have lost their scent through extensive breeding, these delicate flowers can be relied on to fill a room with their fragrance.

First discovered by botanist Christian Ecklon, and named after his friend and fellow botanist Friedrich Freese, Freesia flowers typically produce florets in shades of white, yellow, pink and purple. Breeders have worked to increase this color palette and add interesting variation without loss of fragrance, as well as flowers with double corollas.

Due to their paper-thin petals, Freesias can be difficult to grow in many gardens, but they are ideal for greenhouse production and are now largely available year-round.  Their delicate appearance and beautiful fragrance make Freesia a firm favorite for bridal bouquets.

To learn more about best practices from the experts in flower care, visit www.floralife.com

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Some varieties are ethylene sensitive. These varieties should be treated with an anti-ehtylene treatment such as EthylBloc™ or Floralife® Ethylguard before they leave the grower.
• Freesias are sensitive to fluoride – causes tip burn of foliage.
• Research shows that there is a beneficial effect of hormonal based treatments on cut-Freesia flower development – consider treating with a specialty bulb flower food.

PURCHASING

If stems are harvested too green, all the buds may not open. Choose stems with the first bud almost fully developed, but not open, and the remaining buds showing color.

HYDRATION

• Start processing with a clean bucket, sanitized with D.C.D. cleaner.
• Cut stems about 1 – 2 inches before placing in a hydration solution such as Floralife® HydraFlor® 100.
• Remove any leaves that are below the hydration solution.
• Hydrate in chilled solution in the flower cooler (34 – 38° F).
• Limit the time between harvest and placing in the cooler to less than one hour.

SHIPPING AND STORAGE

• Shipping and storage temperatures should be 34- 38° F.
• Ship and store wet. Freesias are not tolerant of dry shipping and storage.

RE-HYDRATION AT STORE LEVEL AND STORAGE

• Start processing with a clean bucket, sanitized with D.C.D. cleaner.
• If received dry packed, conditioning of stem ends is recommended to prevent blockage and promote uptake. Cut approximately 1” or more off stems. Use clean, sanitized clippers or knife, and treat with Floralife® Quick Dip.
• Place flowers in a holding treatment such as Floralife® Express 200. Do not put flowers directly in metal/galvanized buckets. Use clean, high quality water that has not been treated with a water softener as the salt levels can be damaging to flowers.
• Store in a cooler at 34 – 38° F with a relative humidity of 75 – 85 %.
• Allow minimum 2 hours to hydrate placing buckets in an area with good airflow.
• Always remember FIFO (first in/first out) when rotating Freesias or any other flowers.

VASE CARE

• Freesias are best hydrated with their protective sleeve intact. Leave stems in their packaging until hydrated (approximately 4 hours).
• Cut approximately 1” or more off stems. Use clean, sanitized clippers or knife. If received dry, treat with Floralife® Quick Dip. Remember to not remove the sleeve yet.
• Immediately place flowers in vase solutions containing Floralife Clear 300 or Floralife Express 300.
• Once hydrated, remove sleeve and arrange as desired.

COMMON DEFECTS

• Flowers open too soon, or not at all. This can be largely due to incorrect cut stage and/or incorrect temperature control during storage.
• Petal shatter, color fade, and translucent petals due to ethylene damage.
• Sensitive to desiccation– not tolerant of dry shipping and storage.