Troubleshooting
Freesia problems — and how to fix them
Freesia (Freesia spp. (incl. Freesia corymbosa, Freesia × hybrida)) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Blind shoots (leaves but no flowers)
Usually caused by too much warmth (over about 21°C/70°F) during growth, too little light, or excess nitrogen, all of which favour foliage over blooms.
Floppy, spindly, weak stems
Growing temperatures that are too high combined with low light cause soft, leggy growth that flops over and needs support.
Fusarium wilt / corm rot
A soilborne fungus that turns plants yellow and wilted with pink-to-brown rotted corms; triggered by waterlogged, overly wet or over-fertilised conditions and incurable once established.
Botrytis (grey mould)
A fuzzy grey fungus on flowers, stems and leaves that develops in still, humid, poorly ventilated conditions, especially crowded plantings.
Aphids and thrips
Sap-sucking pests that distort and twist new growth and flower spikes and can transmit viruses; thrips in particular streak and scar the blooms.
Virus infection
Aphid- or thrips-spread viruses cause streaked, mottled or deformed leaves and flowers; there is no cure, so infected plants should be removed.
Prevent freesia problems before they start
Most freesia issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Freesia problems — FAQ
Why is my freesia blind shoots (leaves but no flowers)?
Usually caused by too much warmth (over about 21°C/70°F) during growth, too little light, or excess nitrogen, all of which favour foliage over blooms.
Why is my freesia floppy, spindly, weak stems?
Growing temperatures that are too high combined with low light cause soft, leggy growth that flops over and needs support.
Why is my freesia fusarium wilt / corm rot?
A soilborne fungus that turns plants yellow and wilted with pink-to-brown rotted corms; triggered by waterlogged, overly wet or over-fertilised conditions and incurable once established.
Why is my freesia botrytis (grey mould)?
A fuzzy grey fungus on flowers, stems and leaves that develops in still, humid, poorly ventilated conditions, especially crowded plantings.
Why is my freesia aphids and thrips?
Sap-sucking pests that distort and twist new growth and flower spikes and can transmit viruses; thrips in particular streak and scar the blooms.
Why is my freesia virus infection?
Aphid- or thrips-spread viruses cause streaked, mottled or deformed leaves and flowers; there is no cure, so infected plants should be removed.