Growing Freesia Indoors

I just bought some freesia bulbs to grow indoors. I understand they are tender bulbs, which would lead me to believe that they do not need a cooling period. Does anyone know if this is correct? If anyone out there knows precisely how to grow them indoors to bloom during a Pittsburgh winter, I would appreciate the info. Thanks.

Found this online:
http://www.flower-garden-bulbs.com/freesia.html

Thanks for the link

So that's why mine always fall over!

If you can't keep them at the temps for flower perfection, I've grown them twice here in TX zone 8a. I plant them on top of other bulbs in a pot at the end of December. If we get a hard freeze I bring them in the garage, otherwise, I leave them out. They usually bloom in April

cynthia

YW :) I'm having fun with paperwhites....

Well, know I know they don't need a cooling period, but does anyone know how deeply they should be planted in the pots? I did read the instructions on the referenced website, but I am not sure what they mean. Do they mean to cover the bulbs so that there is 1 1/2 inches of peat or sandy grit measuring from the top of the bulbs or from the bottoms of the bulbs, Confusing. Thanks again.

This message was edited Dec 15, 2005 10:15 AM

Planting depth for bulbs, tubers and corms should be from the top of the bulb, tuber or corm to the soil surface. 1.5 inches sounds a little shallow, we'd normally plant them 2" to 2.5" deep.

kooger, how do you keep your paperwhites upright when they start getting tall? I'm trying to force a few in water, in very similar containers, and they're getting really tippy.... one tumbled off a table earlier today.... now it is in a pot of soil mix!

critter - my first attempt at this - love watching them grow - the tallest is now about 7-8 inches and has a bud about 4 inches tall. From what I've read, I think it has to do with sunlight, not enough light and they get leggy. I have them in family room with large window on the east and on the south, lots of light. sorry, that s all I know :) I'll post a pic tmr - absolutely gotta hit the hay - 5.5 hrs sleep last night, worked 10 hrs, tired!!

There was an idea I saw in White Flower Farm's fall catalog using tall glass containers for Amaryllis, and half the growth was seen through glass. This supported the tall stems. So, I'm trying some paperwhites the same way. Sunlight is the key, and in this shady hollow that is always an issue for me.

I have plenty of sunlight.... actually, I think the one that took a nose dive just started leaning a little too much toward the window (one day that I didn't turn it! one! LOL) and the bulb just swiveled. I like Neal's idea... I'm going to see if I have a hurricane / chimney that would work over my vase. I've seen some big glass cylinders that would also work with a few inches of gravel & water at the bottom. Thanks!