The best word to describe Freesia is intoxicating! The delightful aroma coupled with bright, vibrant colors, and delicate blooms make Freesia a design favorite for bridal bouquets, wedding work, and prom season. Freesias are bulb flowers and while they are spring blooming in their native environment, they are available year-round in some parts of the world. Mixed with other flowers or grouped together, Freesia are easy to arrange making breathtaking designs. Freesia must be handled with care, but with a few easy tips and tricks can give an outstanding performance!
Problems & Solutions
Problem:
Solution:
Ethylene Sensitivity
Moderately sensitive to ethylene, exposure promotes bud drop, petal transparency, petal shatter, and color fade. Use an ethylene action-inhibitor products such as EthylBloc™ during storage and transportation or FloraLife® EthylGuard* at farm level to safeguard Freesia against any exposure to ethylene.
Problem:
Hydration
Solution:
Freesia are highly sensitive to desiccation or dehydration. Hydrate with FloraLife® Express Clear 100 at farm level prior to shipping.
Problem:
Prone to Mechanical/Physical Damage
Solution:
Blooms and stems are extremely fragile and should be securely wrapped to avoid flowers and stems breaking and bruising. Do not over pack boxes to allow good airflow and avoid damage.
Need to Know: Freesia Helpful Hints
Properly Dosed and Mixed Flower Food: The Benefits
- Helps blooms fully develop & open
- Helps Freesia stay hydrated
- Longer vase life& better color development
Keep them Fresh!
- Hydrate at farm level with FloraLife® Express Clear 100.
- Recommended flower food solution for storage/transport: FloraLife® Express Clear ULTRA 200.
- Cooler / storage temperature should be 34-38°F, 1-3°C.
- Processing recommendations at retail: Ship wet packed if possible. If shipping dry, process immediately upon arrival. Choose stems with the first bud almost fully developed and showing color, but not open. If stems are harvested too green, all or some of the buds may not open. Avoid stems with florets that easily fall off, or stems with florets that are brown, shriveled, or transparent.
- Recommended flower food for end consumers (packets): FloraLife® Bulb Food Clear 300*, FloraLife® Universal 300* or FloraLife® Express Universal 300.
Performance
- Freesia has an average vase life of 4-12 days.
- Opening speed: Typically, bottom blooms pop open first with several funnel-shaped blooms opening along one side of the stem over the course of the vase life. Vase life will vary based on ambient temperature as well as cut stage when processed.
- Freesia foliage is sensitive to fluoride which causes tip burn. Avoid fluoridated water. Sensitive to leaf yellowing, consider treating with a specialty bulb flower food.
- Freesia can be mixed with most other flowers without any negative or harmful effects.
- Performs well in foam, if designing in foam use a lower density foam like OASIS® Springtime for easier stem insertion. Always cut at a sharp angle before inserting into foam. Create designs as close to event as possible. Check water levels or foam periodically to be sure flowers stay hydrated.
- Use FloraLife® Finishing Touch or FloraLife® Crowning Glory* spray once designs are complete to keep blooms fresh and hydrated.
FIFO
- Freesia can hold up to 3 days in cold storage as long as the cold chain is strictly followed and temperatures remain at 34-38°F, 1-3°C. However, FIFO (First In First Out) inventory rotation is always our recommendation so stems are as fresh as possible for consumer and they enjoy their flowers for the maximum vase life.
Want to learn more? Visit FloraLife.com or contact your local representative to schedule an in-person consultation for expert advice!
*Product availability depends upon geographical region. Check here for more information.