Oxalis (60 photos): types, cultivation and care at home

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With the onset of winter, the plant begins a period of dormancy. At the beginning of this stage, you need to shorten the wood sorrel cuttings by 1 cm and put them in a dry, dark place. Watering and fertilizing stop completely.

Pruning and rejuvenation

In order for oxalis to look neat and not lose its decorative appearance, you need to cut off excess leaves, thinning them out.

You can buy both an adult plant and its bulbs both in nurseries and in regular flower shops. An adult plant from a nursery will cost 600–1000 rubles, depending on the diameter of the pot. Prices in stores may vary, but on average oxalis from a store will cost 200–600 rubles.

Bulbs from nurseries cost from 150 to 600 rubles. for a pack of 3 pieces, the final price depends on the variety.

The pot should be wide and low so that oxalis is more willing to grow daughter tubers.

To choose the optimal size of the pot, count how many bushes you plan to plant in it. Each shoot needs 5–8 cm of space. The material is not fundamental, but experienced gardeners prefer ceramic pots.

Soil for a flower

The soil for oxalis should be light, airy and fertile. It can be purchased at the store, however, if you want to be sure of the quality, you can make a suitable substrate yourself.

For oxalis, commercial soil for decorative foliage plants and universal soil for indoor plants with neutral acidity pH 6.4-7.3 are suitable. The advantage of buying a ready-made soil mixture is its availability and the reduction of the grower’s time costs. However, not everyone agrees to use ready-made soil, since one cannot be completely sure of its quality.

When purchasing soil for wood sorrel, pay attention to the following characteristics:

• best before date;
• compound;
• acidity.

After opening the package, make sure that there is no mold on the inside, and that the soil does not have an unpleasant odor or large hard lumps.

The soil for oxalis must contain potassium, otherwise, if there is a lack of it, the leaves will lose their bright color.

Sour original shamrock – lucky clover

Oxalis or oxalis is not even the last place in the Kislichnye family. Eight hundred varieties of various oxalis are united in this herbaceous genus, both annuals and perennials.

The southern part of the African continent, Central and South America can be considered the native territories for oxalis; Central Europe has also become the homeland for some varieties of oxalis.

In the scientific field, the name of wood sorrel is oxalis, which is directly related to the Greek word “oxis”. It can be translated - sour. In fact, the leaves of the flower have a sour taste. Even the use of leaves in food will not cause any harm to health. The plant contains oxalic acid.

Europeans call the oxalis flower “lucky clover” or false clover for the similarity of the leaf blades to clover leaves, and in the CIS countries the oxalis plant has its own name - “hare cabbage”. There are many other popular names for oxalis - false clover, “Madame Butterfly”, butterfly flower, flower of happiness, flower of day and night.

The oxalis flower was cultivated in the seventeenth century. Where does sorrel grow? It is often found and decorates both gardens and rooms. High decorative qualities and modest requirements for cultivation have made the oxalis flower generally recognized among flower growers.

What does sorrel look like? She has a cool look. Oxalis has unique, beautiful trifoliate or palmately compound, petiolate leaves with a complex bend. In the morning, the leaf plates are evenly straightened, and in the evening they are folded in half. Oxalis has the unique property of reacting to bright lighting and mechanical stimuli.

The color palette of the leaves is varied from green, purple to burgundy. Oxalis flowers are small, their configuration is correct, they please the eye with white, pink, yellow or lilac shades. In the evenings or before rain, like leaves, the flowers acquire a closed position. After flowering, the seeds ripen in the shells, which fly out sharply with a slight touch.

Oxalis photo can be viewed and you can learn more about each type of flower in the next section of the article.

How to prepare the land yourself?

To do this, mix peat, humus, turf, leaf soil and sand in equal parts to make the soil airy and slightly acidic.

An important stage in soil preparation is treating it against pests. You can do it like this:

• Place the soil in a colander and pour boiling water over it.
• Heat on a baking sheet in the oven at a temperature of about 85 °C.

This way you will destroy all harmful microorganisms and protect the flower.

A day after disinfection, the soil should be watered with a biological product to restore beneficial microflora.

The presence of drainage will prevent the roots from rotting and protect the plant from diseases. It’s easy to make – just fill 1/3 of the pot with expanded clay, shards, pebbles or broken bricks.

How to transplant sorrel?

To prepare oxalis for transplanting, you need to stop watering for a while. As soon as the earthen lump dries, it will easily leave the pot.

The new pot should be 3–5 cm larger than the previous one, this will stimulate the formation of daughter flower tubers.

In the first 4 years of life, sorrel is transplanted once a year, then the periods between transplants increase to 2 years.

The transplantation process consists of the following stages:

• the plant is removed from the old pot;
• the roots are washed, and all rotten and broken shoots are removed and dried;
• a seedling is placed in moist soil in a new pot;
• the roots are covered with substrate and compacted a little;
• The transplanted flower is watered and placed in a bright place without direct sunlight.

Other reasons are:

• wrong soil;
• diseases.

Transplantation during flowering

It is preferable to replant oxalis immediately after emerging from dormancy, in the spring. But if you need emergency replanting and the oxalis bush is not yet devoid of leaves, proceed as follows:

• remove the plant, being careful not to damage the tubers.
• Place the whole lump in a new container.
• add soil without covering the stem.

The plant will calmly respond to an unscheduled transplant, the main thing is not to harm the roots.

What flowers can you keep at home?

Flowers significantly decorate the interior, please the eye and improve the psychological atmosphere. Below we will talk about what flowers can and should be kept at home for well-being.

Uzumbara violet

Another name for the Uzumbara violet is “flower of love.” It is best if it is white - then there will be peace, happiness, love and harmony in the family. Pink and blue violets are best placed in the kitchen.

Aloe

Aloe is a healing flower, rumors about its harm are nothing more than a fairy tale. Since ancient times, this plant has brought only good energy to the house; the juice of this plant is added to many cosmetic products, as well as medicines.

aloe is a medicinal house plant

Myrtle

Myrtle is considered a very positive plant; it is strongly recommended to keep it in the house. Myrtle brings quick love to unmarried girls, and long and strong marriage to married girls. Myrtle is often given to newlyweds on their wedding day as a symbol of love.

Anthurium

Anthurium is considered a male plant; it literally attracts male energy into the house and gives happiness to all single girls. Thanks to Anthurium, family relationships improve, quarrels and squabbles leave the house, and a pleasant aura appears.

Schlumberger's Decembrist

Schlumberger's Decembrist got its name because it blooms in winter, in December. This flower literally spreads “vibes of happiness and goodness” around itself. Even selfish people become better people with it. It is believed that if this plant begins to bloom at the wrong time, it is only because there is a favorable atmosphere in the house.

Ficus

Ficus definitely has no place in the bedroom; it is best to place it in another room. Ficus has powerful energy that can drive away negativity and aggression from the home. Some believe that ficus can bring peace and tranquility to the home, as well as cope with anxiety and depression.

ficus will be useful for people's energy, but it is better not to place it in the bedroom

Reproduction

Oxalis reproduces well at home, and you can easily get new specimens.

Oxalis reproduces:

1. Bulbs.
2. By cuttings.
3. Tubers.
4. Leaves.
5. Seeds.

It is almost impossible to grow indoor varieties of oxalis from seeds at home; it is better to choose other methods.

New plants can be obtained from tubers and bulbs, which, when replanting the mother bush, are easily separated from it. They are immediately placed in small containers with the prepared soil mixture and placed in a cool, dark place. The optimal temperature for planting during this period is about 15 °C.

After the sprouts appear, the pots are moved to light, the required temperature rises to 23 °C. In a month, the young plant will be fully formed. Propagation by cuttings and leaves is also not difficult.

After separating them from a large bush, they are placed in a container with water and wait for the roots to appear. As soon as the young roots reach one and a half cm in length, the shoots are planted in the ground.

It is better to propagate wood sorrel at the very beginning of spring, so that young seedlings have time to grow and become stronger by autumn.

Mistakes in caring for sorrel

When caring for oxalis, novice gardeners can make mistakes, which, if not detected in time, can even provoke the death of the flower:

Fertilizer and feeding

During the growing season, from the end of winter to the beginning of September, oxalis needs feeding. They should be carried out once every 2 weeks. Both mineral mixtures and organic fertilizers are used:

• ammonium and potassium nitrate;
• urea;
• superphosphates;
• potassium salt.

The most popular brands are Fertika and Bona Forte.

Mineral ones are well suited for sorrel - nitrogen will help the plant form beautiful foliage, and phosphorus will strengthen the rhizome.

Oxalis requires a much lower concentration of fertilizers than is written in the instructions. The solution for oxalis should be made twice as weak.

Of the organic fertilizers, sorrel is guaranteed to like mullein solution, its leaves will become more luxuriant and flowers will appear. During the dormant period, any feeding is completely stopped.

You can also feed oxalis with homemade fertilizers. The most popular of them:

• wood ash;
• 1% yeast infusion;
• sugar;
• succinic acid;
• chopped banana peel.

More interesting rare species and varieties of wood sorrel with photos

Oxalis Imbricata

Oxalis corymbosa

Oxalis latifolia Maroon Leaf

Oxalis melanosticta

Goat sorrel / Oxalis pes-caprae is a perennial herb native to South Africa. It is now a noxious weed in the United States (particularly coastal California), Europe and Australia. Used as a source of oxalic acid, as food and in folk medicine.

Problems during cultivation

As a rule, flowering does not occur for two reasons:

1. The plant does not go into a dormant period; over time it becomes very depleted.
2. Excess fertilizer - in this case, oxalis forms a lush head of greenery to the detriment of flowering.

Diseases

Oxalis can be subject to rhizome rotting. This disease is caused by excessive watering and stagnation of water in the pot.

The solution to the problem is to dig up the oxalis, remove the soil, cut off the affected areas of the root and replant it in fresh, slightly dried soil. Moderate watering can be used to prevent re-development of the disease during the recovery period.

Pests

Pests that attack oxalis under unsuitable conditions:

• spider mite White cobwebs appear. To remove them, the plant must be washed with soapy water;
• scale insect. Brown insect shell tubercles appear on the leaves. Flower treatment is carried out in the form of mechanical removal with a soft brush and soap. If necessary, spray the plant with chemicals (“Aktellik”, “Fitoverm”, “Metafos”);
• aphid. Small insects that leave behind a sticky coating appear on leaves and stems. For treatment, they are removed mechanically and the plant is treated with insecticides (Neoron, Iskra, Kinmiks).

Problems with leaves

• With long-term growth of sorrel in the shade, its leaves become smaller and lose color.
• Sometimes leaves dry out due to insufficient moisture or excessive lighting.
• exposure to direct sunlight causes burns

Thus, to create optimal growth conditions, oxalis should be placed in a place with diffuse but bright light and monitor soil moisture.

Errors when leaving

Common mistakes in caring for indoor oxalis:

1. Choosing the wrong pot.
2. Using heavy soil.
3. Lack or excess of light.
4. Excessive or insufficient watering.

The picturesque and undemanding nature of oxalis has won the hearts of many. Leaves reminiscent of a flock of butterflies will decorate any windowsill, and the abundance of varieties will delight even the most demanding gardeners.

Types and varieties of oxalis suitable for growing in the garden

The genus includes more than 400 species, distributed in South America, Europe and Africa.

Carob sorrel, horned sorrel or yellow sorrel, northern sorrel / Oxalis corniculata, syn. Xanthoxalis corniculata

A perennial plant, it forms a thicket 20-25 cm high. The stems are thin, numerous, the leaves are trifoliate, petiolate.

Blooms in May-June with small yellow flowers. Most often, after planting, it begins to grow weeds throughout the entire area, drowning out other brothers in the flower garden.

Just like wood sorrel, it has a slightly sour taste and is edible in small quantities.

The garden form with brown-red leaves var. has the greatest decorative value. Purpurea. Can be used for planting in containers.

Oxalis adenophylla

Another winter-hardy species of sorrel. USDA Zone 4

A perennial plant, no more than 7 cm high, blooms in spring with pink flowers. The ferruginous sorrel has very beautiful leaves: they consist of many lobes (10-22), silvery. There are varieties with spots or veins.

Growing ferruginous oxalis

Ferruginous oxalis loves bright, but not direct sunlight. Does not like getting soaked, naturally grows in dry places. For the winter, it is advisable to mulch and hill up.

It can be grown at home, on window sills or balconies, but it still grows better in the garden. When growing indoors for the winter, it is advisable to put the pot in the refrigerator (basement, balcony) and water it carefully, along the edge of the pot. Also for the winter, like many container crops, you can dig it directly with the container in the garden and cover it with mulch or lutrasil on top.

Ferruginous oxalis when planted in the ground.

White sorrel / Oxalis lactaea

The perennial plant is a low-growing plant with dark, brownish-green, trifoliate leaves. Blooms with white flowers. It grows well.

Oxalis poor / Oxalis inops

Perennial corm plant, quite frost-resistant.

The leaves are trifoliate on thin petioles. The flowers are dark pink with a white center. Blooms in August-October.

Depp's Oxalis / Oxalis deppei

Corm perennial plant 25-35 cm tall, with four-part leaves 3-4 cm long, green with a purple-red pattern.

The flowers are crimson-red, 2 cm long, collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence.

Depp's oxalis is suitable for growing in the garden as a lenika or for container growing, as well as indoors.

Depp's Oxalis when grown as an annual plant in the garden.

Growing Depp's oxalis indoors

In winter they are kept in cool conditions. Tolerates dry room conditions well.

Rose sorrel / Oxalis rosea

Height 30-35 cm. Blooms with pink flowers.

Oxalis enneaphylla / Oxalis enneaphylla

A perennial plant 5-10 cm high, forming small clumps. It is beautiful, but in a culture in our region there may be problems when growing it. It blooms in May-June with white or pink flowers.

Oxalis nine-leaved

Growing nine-leaved wood sorrel

Planting requires acidic, humus-rich soil, good drainage and sun. For the winter, dry shelter is necessary.

Caring for oxalis in the garden

The main difficulty in caring for frost-resistant wood sorrel is to prevent them from growing uncontrollably. Ripe fruits of plants crack, throwing seeds over considerable distances, so you should not plant sorrel near vegetable beds.