Oscalis: description
The genus Oxalis contains almost eight hundred species, with many subspecies. This genus is represented by perennial and annual herbs, with a tuberous and bulbous root system. In nature, they grow in South Africa, South and Central America, Central Europe on the banks of reservoirs, in moist soils, in the shade of trees.
Leaves are a characteristic feature of the species. Three or four triangular-shaped leaflets are located on fragile long petioles. Oxalis leaf, depending on the type, is green, purple, burgundy. The leaves curl up in the evening and open only with the advent of the morning.
Regularly shaped flowers with white, pink and yellow petals.
The color of the petals may vary depending on the particular variety. To date, plants have been bred in which the petals are painted in both colors, which gives them an elegant look. Flowers, like leaves, react to light: they close at night and in bad weather. The flowering period of Oxalis lasts from March to November. Oblong-shaped seeds ripen in a box, no more than 15 mm long.
Oxalis: how to care
Most often they are grown indoors. At home, only four species are grown. Although the flower is considered an undemanding culture, it is still necessary to create certain conditions for it.
Oksalis care. Oxalis loves good lighting with lots of ambient light. The correct place is on a well-lit southwest or southeast window. On the southern windows, the flower must be protected from the rays of the scorching sun.
Temperature regime
The air temperature during the growing season should be in the range from 20°C to 25°C, and during the dormant period – from 12°C to 18°C.
Some varieties have periods of dormancy after flowering, when leaf development stops. The rest period lasts 4-6 weeks, when the flower needs to be moved to a cooler room. Watering almost stops, but the lump in the pot should not dry out.
After the restoration of the growing season, the flower is returned to a permanent place. It will begin to form new shoots, while watering is resumed and it is fed on time.
Soil Requirements
The oxalis plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil, and grows well in universal soil. Prefers soil mixtures consisting of sand with humus.
Note! If there is too much nutrients in the soil, it will cause leaf growth due to flowering, so this factor must be taken into account when choosing a soil mixture.
Humidity
Oxalis grows well at room humidity, but if the room is too hot, sometimes the leaves are sprayed with distilled or boiled water. This procedure can be carried out only in the summer season with dry air. The rest of the time, no increase in humidity is required.
Watering
In spring and summer, the flower is watered abundantly, and in the cold season, rare watering is carried out. It is necessary to avoid stagnant moisture in the root system. With the onset of the autumn season, the frequency and volume of humidity decreases. In winter, watering is minimized, but the lump should remain moist.
fertilizers
Fertilization is recommended from mid-spring to late summer to ensure continued flowering. As top dressing, you can use liquid mineral complexes for flowering plants. The optimal frequency of fertilizers is 2 times a month.
Additional Information! You should not resort to the use of organic substances: due to the high concentration of nitrogen, it may bloom little, and the green mass will be very coarse.
Plant transplant
This is a mandatory procedure on which the further growth, development and flowering of plants depends.
It is recommended to use a wide pot. It can fit several tubers, thanks to which a lush shrub will grow. To prevent stagnation of liquid in the root system, a drainage layer of expanded clay, pebbles, crushed stone and other materials that allow moisture to pass through is poured onto the bottom of the tank. The thickness of the drainage layer should be from 3 to 5 centimeters.
After planting, the seedling should be watered abundantly and placed in a bright place. Young plants are recommended to be transplanted annually, upon reaching four years, the interval between procedures can be increased to 2-3 years.
Oxalis breeding
Depending on the species, the flower can be propagated in different ways. At home, oxalis does not form seeds, therefore it spreads in the usual vegetative way.
More often, daughter bulbs or nodules are used, less often – the seed method. For the cultivation of varietal flowers, a vegetative technique is used.
Propagation by cuttings . Cuttings are cut and placed in water, with small roots appearing within two to three weeks.
When shoots are formed, it is necessary to transplant them into a nutrient soil mixture.
The sowing method is often not used by flower growers: it is relatively long and ineffective.
Reproduction by daughter bulbs. The flower is much faster and easier to propagate vegetatively. To do this, it is necessary to carefully separate the child nodules or bulbs that have formed around the root, and plant them in a separate pot immediately after the end of the dormant period. A sharp disinfected instrument is divided into several parts. Cut points should be sprinkled with charcoal. Planting material from several pieces is planted in separate pots, which are transferred to the shade. When they germinate, they are placed in a well-lit place (the light should be diffused) and regularly irrigated. Plants grow quickly, by two years a full-fledged adult specimen appears.
Oxalis plant: useful properties
Oxalis has a number of healing properties. The aerial part of the bush, as a choleretic, wound healing, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic, is used in alternative medicine. The leaves contain high amounts of vitamin C, and since the leaves contain a lot of vitamin C, it is recommended to use it for colds, as well as to strengthen the body’s immune system.
Edible varieties are used in the kitchen. Healthy and tasty tea is prepared from it, added to green borscht.
Diseases and pests
Oxalis is highly resistant to diseases and various harmful insects. However, if it is weakened by improper care, then aphids, red mites and arachnids can settle on it.
If an aphid has settled on the plant, then it is treated with soapy water (for 2 teaspoons of water, 2 teaspoons of liquid soap). Ticks are removed by Aktellik. If a scaly insect attacks, then you must first remove the insect from the flower by hand, and then spray it with an insecticide. If necessary, process again after 7 days.
Gray rot – a fungal disease begins to appear when the flower is systematically watered or there is no drainage. If the root system is waterlogged, fluid stagnation may occur. For treatment in the early stages, treatment with a fungicide is required. With the intensive development of the disease, oxalis is transplanted into a fresh substrate, having examined the root system and removing the affected areas.
When the air is too dry and immunity is weakened, sucking insects populate the bushes, which they fight with by spraying with insecticide.
Possible difficulties in growing
The main problems that can arise during cultivation are wilting and drying of the leaves. The aerial part of the plant and the leaves dry out due to improper indoor care:
Possible reasons why the leaves dry:
- excessive soil moisture leading to gray rot;
- extremely rare watering;
- elevated temperatures;
- due to the drying of the soil layer;
- soil depletion in pots;
- when the air is too dry and the temperature is high.
Use in the garden
Oxalis-oxalis garden, due to the presence of colored leaves and flowers, is very decorative. Violet oxalis is used in landscape decoration in joint plantings with other ornamental plants, where it is planted at the first level. The aerial parts effectively cover the garden soil.
Species that grow quickly and form mounds are used to decorate alpine slides. The plant can also be grown in hanging and floor pots on terraces or porches.
