Cultivation

Suitability of Freesia for Cut Flowers

Freesia Eckl. ex Klatt

The suitability of freesia is determined by the precision of the cutting stage for bud opening, high sensitivity to ethylene, and the necessity of maintaining strict temperature conditions during storage.

In the reference 72 varieties crop Freesia, where this is mentioned in the description.

The optimal stage for cutting is when the first or two lower flowers in the inflorescence are colored and beginning to open. Cutting too early leads to the buds' inability to open fully. When harvesting lateral flower stalks, the cut is made directly above the point of shoot origin, with the central flower stalk being more preferable due to a higher number of flowers and better post-harvest longevity.

Freesia is characterized by high sensitivity to ethylene, which causes bud abortion, dulling, and 'glassiness' of the petals. The plant is extremely susceptible to dehydration and fluoride content in water, which cause marginal leaf burn. A temperature range of 0–1°C is optimal for storage and transportation.

Selection criteria for suitability include stem strength that prevents bending, stem length, and the number of buds, which in high-quality specimens should be at least 7–10. When harvest agrotechnologies and post-harvest treatments are followed, the vase life of the crop reaches 7–14 days.

General information about the subject — on the page Suitability for cutting.

Sources8

Varieties of Freesia mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.