Anyone had luck growing freesia? Plant them every year despite lackluster results.

I tried them years ago and only had one year where they were any good. That was when we still lived in Utah, (very dry climate) and I think since then it's been a case of overwatering them while they were growing. Here in FL when it rains, it pours and so if I had them getting sparingly watered, and there was a rain storm . . . poof, too much water.

They do smell so lovely, but frankly even growing them, the flowers don't last much longer than cut flowers so I gave up on them. They're the one thing I will buy at the store if I see them for sale as cut flowers.

If I were to try them again, I think I would keep them somewhere under an overhang so that I could control exactly how much water they get. Give them a good watering when you first plant the bulbs, then let them dry out between watering after that.

Thanks for your response, which makes a lot of sense. I've put freesias in an open spot where I can't control their water intake. When the do grow, they're on short stems, usually flopped over. Nice scent, pretty colors but too difficult for an enthusiastic gardener to grow. Better to buy from a florist.

I am growing freesias in containers, I got them in bloom last year, bloomed continued after repot and it slept soundly in summer. Started to grow back the leaves in late fall, and it enjoyed this year's El Nino rains when it came. This is the first year of rebloom, so for now showing several buds, thankful they are starting to return. The leaves are floppy though, maybe due to the limited angle of light it gets. It certainly is enjoying the cool overnights we are still getting in the mid to low 40's and nice comfy warm daytime 70F to 80F. I did have to spray for some aphids that attacked the bloom stalks. I am still in a learning curve with this plant.

Containers is it.
Funny looking at your address. Way back, my great-uncle/aunt had a working farm near Kingsburg. Sibs and I still yuck about visiting them. Indoor plumbing, what a luxury.