Oxalis - home care

• Oxalis - photo.
• Oxalis - description of the plant.
• How to care for sorrel at home?
• Where to put Oxalis? Choose a location.
• Air temperature.
• Organization of irrigation for Kislitsa.
• Soil and transplantation of Oxalis.
• Video: transplanting Oxalis at home.
• Feeding Oxalis.

• Reproduction of Oxalis by seeds.
• Reproduction of Oxalis by cuttings.
• Reproduction of Oxalis by tubers or bulbs.

Oxalis (lat. Oxalis ) belongs to the Oxalis family. Currently, about 800 species and varieties of this plant are known. The most widespread are the bright green and purple varieties of Kislitsa. The plant got its name because of the sour-tasting leaves; Oxalis is translated from Latin as “sour . Popular names can be found such as “butterfly” or “clover of happiness”. This is no coincidence, since Oxalis is believed to bring happiness to the house. Oxalis is a fairly unpretentious, shade-tolerant houseplant. It is a mesophyte, that is, it does not like excess moisture in the soil. Despite all the unpretentiousness of Oxalis, you need to know the main points of caring for it and adhere to them so that the plant feels comfortable in your place and pleases you with its flowering.

Popular varieties

Oxalis bowiei

The beautifully blooming Oxalis Bowiei stands out with large pink buds that rise above the leaves on thin 25 cm stems.

Indoor flower oxalis and its types

The heat-loving flower with leathery greenish foliage is grown as an outdoor plant in the southern regions.

Oxalis versicolor

It is difficult to confuse Versicolor with other representatives of oxalis. It is popularly called "Christmas candy cane" because of its twisted white petals with a rich red border.

The flowers resemble licorice candy and decorate a small crop. Distinctive features of Versicolor are the brightness of flowering and needle-shaped leaves.

Versicolor – licorice candy

The South African guest, variegated sorrel, is actively grown indoors, as well as in gardens in southern Russia and in greenhouses.

Oxalis adenophylla

Ferruginous sorrel is distinguished by its winter hardiness and unpretentiousness. Grown in flower beds as a 10 cm ground cover. Gardeners love the undemanding plant and its decorative properties: silvery-pinnate leaves and pinkish-lilac flowers with crimson veins and a spot at the base of the petal.

Oxalis Adenophylla is also called silver shamrock or Chilean oxalis. The culture tolerates wintering in the conditions of central Russia. Oxalis is perfect for decorating borders and alpine slides.

Oxalis - description of the plant.

Oxalis shoots are collected in a bush.
The leaves of Oxalis vulgaris are triangular and trifoliate, and in some varieties they have four petals. The petals are arranged in a circle on thin shoots, low above the ground and are very reminiscent of butterfly wings. The shoots are collected in a bush, and with a sufficient number of shoots, Oxalis looks very lush. The most common are purple and bright green varieties of potted Oxalis. The height of indoor Oxalis does not exceed 30 centimeters. Oxalis flowers are small and rise above the leaves. The most popular varieties of Oxalis have light pink, lilac or snow-white flowers.

This is interesting! Various superstitions are associated with Kislitsa. According to legend, Oxalis brings happiness to the house, so it is customary to give it to your loved ones or friends for Christmas - to those whom you wish to be happy.

Oxalis triangularis, or purple sorrel (Oxalis triangularis)

Common sorrel - description of the plant

Purple oxalis (in Latin Oxalis triangularis) is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Oxalis family. A native of the southern regions of America and Africa, it was given the name butterfly flower in Russia. Oxalis is popular among summer residents due to its beneficial qualities.

Oxalis triangularis

The plant is responsible for purifying the air of toxins, healing and strengthening the body. The flower is placed indoors by those who want to heal faster and stay in good physical shape. Placing the plant in the office on the desktop or in the bedroom will help the owner correctly understand his calling.

Edible violet sorrel is suitable for consumption. It is used for treatment in alternative medicine.

The overseas newcomer has become a decoration of window sills since the last century. The plant impresses with its triangular leaves and intense purple color. In addition, strokes and spots of different colors can be easily distinguished on sheet plates.

Attention! This species has a green color, which amazes with its decorativeness and elegance. Small white flowers will delight you almost all year round.

Common Oxalis (Oxalis Acetosella)

The foliage of Oxalis acetosella is trilobed, some varieties have 4 halves.

The oxalis flower is characterized by a circular arrangement of petals on thin shoots, low above the soil, and a resemblance to the wings of butterflies. The stems are collected into a bush. The number of shoots gives it splendor. The home flower oxalis has a dark green or purple color. Plant height is limited to 30 cm.

Small flowers rise above the foliage. The popular varieties of wood sorrel have soft pink, snow-white or lilac buds.

Additional Information. Various beliefs are associated with the oxalis plant. It is believed that a flower for Christmas is the best gift for friends and family (it brings prosperity and success).

The peak of decorativeness of a perennial crop falls in spring and the arrival of the summer season.

Oxalis four-leaf

Four-leaved oxalis is considered a highly ornamental crop. In common people it is called the flower of happiness, false trefoil.

Flower growers grow Oxalis Depp Iron Cross as a potted crop.

A characteristic feature of Depp's sorrel is burgundy spots in the middle of the leaf blade, hence the name of the plant - iron cross.

Oxalis Depp Iron Cross

The original structure of the leaf blade resembles clover. Oxalis are used in landscape design. They are optimally suited for cultivation in unprotected soil as a ground cover crop in rocky gardens and carpet flower beds.

The perennial blooms for a long time. The inflorescences have a red-crimson tone. In Foggy Albion it is called lucky clover.

Oxalis carob

The herbaceous perennial crop reaches 40 cm in height. Thin creeping shoots release roots at the leaf nodes that are slightly pubescent upon contact with the soil. The compound leaves of Oxalis Corniculata include 3 heart-shaped segments. The length of the petioles is 1-7 cm.

Erect thin peduncles of Oxalis Rozhkova bear from 1 to 5 yellow-golden cup-shaped buds with 5 long petals at the top. The foliage color palette contains shades of greenish, burgundy, lilac, and brown.

Carob oxalis is not only a decoration, but also a weed in the garden

Carob sorrel reproduces aggressively, so its development is often restrained and fought like a weed.

Kislitsa Ortgis

The height of herbaceous sorrel with erect thick stems of burgundy color varies in the range of 15-30 cm. The leaves of Oxalis ortgiesii are complex, thin, long petioles include 3 leaf parts that resemble a fish tail in shape. The leaves are pubescent and glossy, with branched veins, the color is green-bluish or green. Leafless peduncles end in yellowish funnel-shaped flowers with 5 petals.

Classification

Taxonomy

Rod Kislitsa

belongs to the Oxalidaceae family
of
the order
Oxalidales
.

Kinds

There are about 800 species worldwide, mainly in South Africa, South America and Mexico. There are 6 species on the territory of Russia and neighboring countries.

In shady coniferous forests, Common Oxalis, or Hare Cabbage ( Oxalis acetosella)

), is a small stemless plant with a creeping rhizome.
The leaves of its trifoliate leaves fold at night and in cloudy weather. The flowers are solitary white with pink-violet veins. Its leaves, like carob sorrel ( Oxalis corniculata
), contain vitamin C and oxalic acid.
In large quantities, the grass is poisonous to sheep. Some African and American species, such as Oxalis tuberosa
, are cultivated in some countries for their edible tubers. Many species are bred as ornamental.

Some types:

• Oxalis acetosella L. typus
• Oxalis adenophylla
• Oxalis albicans
• Oxalis alpina
• Oxalis ambigua
• Oxalis arenia
• Oxalis articulata Savigny
• Oxalis bowiei
• Oxalis brasiliensis
• Oxalis bulbocastanum
• Oxalis caerulea
• Oxalis carnosa - Oxalis
• Oxalis callosa
• Oxalis commutata
• Oxalis compressa
• Oxalis convexula
• Oxalis corymbosa
• Oxalis corniculata L.
• Oxalis debilis
• Oxalis decaphylla
• Oxalis depressa - Oxalis
• Oxalis dichondrifolia
• Oxalis drummondii
• Oxalis eggersii
• Oxalis engleriana
• Oxalis enneaphylla
• Oxalis fabaefolia
• Oxalis flava - Yellow sorrel
• Oxalis fourcadei
• Oxalis frutescens
• Oxalis gigantea
• Oxalis glabra
• Oxalis goniorhiza
• Oxalis grandis
• Oxalis hedysaroides
• Oxalis hirta
• Oxalis illinoensis
• Oxalis inaequalis
• Oxalis incarnata
• Oxalis intermedia
• Oxalis lacinata
• Oxalis lasiandra
• Oxalis latifolia
• Oxalis livida
• Oxalis luteola
• Oxalis macrocarpa
• Oxalis mallobolva
• Oxalis massoniana
• Oxalis meisneri
• Oxalis melanosticta
• Oxalis micrantha
• Oxalis montana
• Oxalis namaquana
• Oxalis nelsonii
• Oxalis obliquifolia
• Oxalis obtusa
• Oxalis oregana
• Oxalis palmifrons
• Oxalis pardalis
• Oxalis peridicaria
• Oxalis pes-caprae - Goat sorrel
• Oxalis polyphylla heptaphylla
• Oxalis priceae
• Oxalis puberula
• Oxalis purpurea
• Oxalis radicosa
• Oxalis regnellii
• Oxalis repens
• Oxalis rosea
• Oxalis rubra - Red sorrel
• Oxalis rugeliana
• Oxalis spiralis
• Oxalis squamata
• Oxalis stricta L.
• Oxalis tenuifolia
• Oxalis tetraphylla - Oxalis four-leaf
• Oxalis tomentosa
• Oxalis triangularis
• Oxalis trillifolia
• Oxalis tuberosa Molina
• Oxalis versicolor
• Oxalis violacea:
• Oxalis zeekoevleyensis

Caring for oxalis at home

Which pot to choose

When growing oxalis, care at home involves the use of a shallow flowerpot. Ceramic is ideal because it allows air and moisture to pass through. In the absence of ceramic dishes, use plastic. Regular loosening of the soil under the plant will be required - the material prevents air circulation.

Indoor hydrangea - planting and care at home

If a flower is replanted, choose a pot that is 3-4 cm larger each time. Drainage holes are made at the bottom of the container. They use broken bricks, perlite, ceramic shards, expanded clay, and vermiculite for drainage.

Important! A deep pot is not suitable due to weak roots that lie close to the surface. Do not allow hanging leaves to lie on the windowsill.

Plants look great in containers shaped like a circle, long rectangle or oval. Plant several tubers in one row. When the bushes grow, they fascinate with their appearance.

Temperature

Indoor oxalis does not require special maintenance conditions:

• any window is suitable, with the exception of the northern opening;
• will definitely need to be shaded in summer;
• maintain a temperature of +20...+25 °C in summer, and +12...+18 °C in the winter season.

Flower of happiness

Lack of light leads to the cessation of flowering, paleness of leaves and their discarding.

Humidity and watering

Oxalis is characterized by demanding water regime:

• drying out of the soil and stagnation of moisture are not allowed;
• water evenly without excess;
• spray the foliage twice or thrice weekly in summer and spring.

Important! The plant requires high air humidity. During the dormant period, sorrel is not watered. If in winter the air in the room is very dry, spraying is resumed.

The leaves like it when drops of soft, settled water collect on them. The main thing is to avoid direct sunlight on the wet plant.

Medicinal properties of Oxalis.

Oxalis is used in folk medicine and eaten.
This is interesting! Oxalis leaves contain oxalic acid and Vitamin C

Despite the fact that Oxalis is a slightly poisonous plant, it is often
used to prepare various dishes, juices, soups and salads. The high content of Vitamin C in Kislitsa improves immunity and allows you to fight colds, which is very important during periods of exacerbation of infections.
In addition, Oxalis is an excellent wound-healing, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory agent. This is interesting! It is believed that it restores metabolism and even has an antitoxic effect, which allows it to neutralize mercury and arsenic compounds.

Top dressing

Replenishment is applied during the period of intensive development of oxalis: from the middle of the spring season until the onset of autumn, every 2-3 weeks. During the dormant period, the flower is not fed. Use universal flower food:

• Flower Paradise and Fertika;
• E-alpha and Florist Micro;
• Master Agro and BioMaster.

Common sorrel - what is it, where does hare cabbage grow

Dilution of the fertilizer is carried out according to the instructions.

How to replant

For replanting, universal soil is suitable, which can be bought at a flower shop. You can prepare the substrate yourself, using in equal proportions:

• sand;
• turf;
• peat.

Apply drainage. The container is wide enough; several bulbs or tubers are planted at once, so that in the future you get a lush bush.

Advice. Oxalis is replanted annually in the spring due to its rapid growth. When reaching the age of 4 years - once every 3 years, so that the plant remains decorative.

Transplantation is carried out carefully, without damaging the root system; the quality of the manipulation determines the rooting and survival of the flower.

Use step-by-step instructions:

• prepare the soil and a new container in advance;
• pour a 2 cm drainage layer into the dish, then add soil;
• water the oxalis generously, remove it from the old pot;
• place the plant in a new flowerpot;

  
  Oxalis roots

• fill the voids with soil residues, maintain the same soil level;
• water the seedling and place it in a dimly lit place.

Features of planting and replanting plants

For oxalis, which has a shallow root system, a wide flowerpot is best suited, with drainage placed at the bottom to prevent stagnation of water, which oxalis does not tolerate. The substrate for the flower is prepared by mixing turf, leaf soil, humus peat and sand in equal proportions. A purchased ready-made soil mixture for indoor flowers is also suitable.

The best time for planting and replanting is spring.

Oxalis tends to grow quickly, so the young plant must be replanted annually, and sometimes twice a year. An adult plant is replanted less often - once every 2-3 years, depending on the growth rate.

The purchased sorrel must be given time to acclimatize in a new place, this will take about a week. Only after this can the plant be replanted. This event should be carried out in early spring. Transplantation of young plants is carried out using the transshipment method. When transplanting, the roots of an adult flower are shaken off the ground and dead roots are carefully removed. Several bulbs should be planted in a row. A week after the procedure, the sorrel will thank you with flowering.

Reproduction methods

Growing sorrel from seeds

Oxalis propagates by seeds, but this is an unpopular method among gardeners. Planting material is sown on the soil surface. If desired, a mini-greenhouse is suitable, where humidity is constantly maintained. Seed germination takes about 3 weeks. For grown shoots, you will need a wide container where several seedlings are placed for splendor.

Leaf cuttings

The cutting-leaf is separated carefully, placed in water, maintaining a temperature of +23...+25 °C. The formation of roots occurs over the course of a month.

Stem cuttings

For stem cuttings to germinate, you will need moistened sand. To maintain humidity and constant temperature, the sorrel is covered with a plastic bottle. The rooted shoot is transferred to prepared soil.

Dividing the roots

When replanting a flower, use a clean pruner or knife to divide the roots into several parts. Treat the cut areas with activated carbon.

Division by roots

The plot is planted in a separate pot with nutritious soil mixture and drainage.

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.

Tubers or bulbs

Popular propagation methods for Oxalis include bulbs and tubers, which the crop acquires during the growing season. They are separated from the mother culture and planted in a separate container.

With the arrival of spring, healthy tubers are selected and planted in a common pot. Deepen it to 1 cm, sprinkle a 1 cm layer of earth on top. Until the tubers take root, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of + 8 ... + 11 ° C and periodically moisten the soil.

Propagation by tubers

After a month, the temperature is increased. Before planting, the tubers are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate.

Winter care

Caring for oxalis in winter has its own peculiarities. In winter, the plant begins to rest. If it is grown at home in a pot, then it is necessary to cut off all the shoots and move it to a cool place with a temperature of +12-15 degrees.

When grown on a personal plot, in the fall, all tubers are dug up, washed and, after drying, stored in a cool room. You can immediately separate the baby tubers from the adults. In the spring, when the ground has already warmed up enough, they are planted back in the flowerbed.

Oxalis or oxalis is a perennial plant that many housewives know as “butterfly”. It requires rich, diffused light and regular watering. Reproduction occurs by seeds or tubers. In winter, there is a well-defined rest period, during which the shoots must be cut off and the pot moved to a cool place.

Problems during cultivation

Why doesn't it bloom

Among the reasons are the lack of a rest period and depletion of oxalis. The crop will not bloom if fertilizer is applied in excess.

Phytodiseases

Oxalis is disease resistant. However, excessive watering provokes root rot. The plant is revived by transplanting into dried soil, pruning diseased areas of the plant, and reducing watering.

Water deficiency and soil depletion cause the plant to wilt. Drying foliage is caused by sunburn, dry air, and inability to adapt to new conditions.

Pests

Aphid

They resist parasites in 3 ways:

• mechanical: manually collect pests;
• chemical: seedlings are treated with insecticides (Inta-Vir, Aktara);
• folk: spray plants with laundry soap.

Aphid

Shchitovka

To get rid of scale insects, wipe the leaves with a napkin or toothbrush, which is moistened in a solution of soap or alcohol, and sprayed with Aktara.

Whitefly

The flower is washed with tap water and treated with Fitoverm, Actellik.

Spider mite

It is necessary to wash the foliage with tobacco and soap solution, rinse with lukewarm water and treat the crop with Akarin.

Spider mite

The following symptoms indicate diseases if sorrel is not properly cared for:

1. Stunted growth. Temperature does not match. Requires relocation to cool.
2. The appearance of gray rot. Reduce watering, spray with Fundazol.
3. Closing leaves in broad daylight. The sun's rays are shining and the soil is dry. Water the bush and place it in another place.
4. Death of a flower. Overwatering and rotting of tubers are possible. The crop is dumped out of the container, undamaged tubers are selected and planted in fresh soil.
5. Leaf spotting. To protect against burns, place oxalis in a shaded place.
6. Formation of a green tint on the leaves. If there is a shortage of light, find another window for the pot, but not in direct sunlight.
7. Suspension of flowering. The soil is depleted, the dormant period has not yet begun. Replanting into a new substrate will be required.

Plant diseases and pests: treatment and prevention

Although wood sorrel is rarely affected by diseases and pests, just like any plant it can get sick. There may be several reasons for such ailments:

• Fungal diseases of roots. The reasons for this may be excessive irrigation and stagnation of water in the pot due to lack or poor drainage. Prevention: pre-plant sterilization of soil and containers, reduction of watering. Treatment: replanting the plant while simultaneously removing damaged roots.
• Rust. Brown bumps appear on the leaves. To prevent the development and removal of the scourge, they are treated with fungicides.
• Spider mite. It manifests itself as spotting of leaves and a coating in the form of a sticky cobweb.
• Oxalis is also susceptible to attack by whiteflies and scale insects. To prevent insect attacks, you need to regularly inspect the plant and if you detect the slightest signs of pest activity, you need to take action. To treat insects, you need to wash the flower with soapy water. Then remove all affected areas and treat with special fungicides.

Dormancy period for sorrel

Certain varieties of sorrel have a pronounced dormant period and require a maximum temperature of +14 °C in winter.

Attention! Varieties of oxalis differ in dormant periods: Orgtis oxalis - completely winter season, Deppe oxalis - from December to January.

During this period, the flower is watered rarely or not at all. Stopping growth and drooping leaves indicate that the plant requires watering. Resetting the leaves means that you need to stop watering until the wood sorrel wakes up. Place the sorrel in a cool and dark room where there are no temperature fluctuations (+14 °C). The awakening of the plant is signaled by new sprouts, followed by the resumption of watering and a return to the old place.

Oxalis flower is taken out to the garden plot in the spring and summer to decorate the landscape with potted plants.

Oxalis in landscape design

In May, garden sorrel is planted in open ground; after a month or a month and a half, the crop will take root and begin to bloom. It is advisable to select beds so that direct sunlight does not fall on the plant.

In October, the plant must be dug up - it will not tolerate frost. This applies to martian oxalis, a seasonal crop. The bulbs will have to be removed for the winter after the foliage dies off, and with the onset of spring they will have to be planted again and admire the beauty.

Additional Information. Sometimes Alpine knotweed (Zlatoust sorrel) is confused with hare cabbage. The plants belong to different families: the first - to the Buckwheat (it is a honey plant), the second - to the Oxalis.

When cultivating an amazing plant - sorrel, caring for it at home will not be difficult. Delicate, blooming almost all year round, it does not get capricious over trifles, delights the owners of the house with its presence for a long time and delivers only positive emotions (love, happiness).

Location and lighting

Oxalis loves bright sunlight and will be able to grow and develop well on windowsills in any direction except the northern one, where it will not bloom without additional lighting. But the flower should be shaded from the midday sun with light curtains or blinds. If Oxalis is exposed to bright sunlight, it will first fold its leaves and then droop. The sun will burn its tender leaves.

In winter, the sun's rays are not aggressive, and the plant should not be hidden from the sun at this time. If Oxalis does not have enough natural light, it will stop blooming, its leaves will become pale and lethargic. In this case, purchase fluorescent lamps or special phytolamps and illuminate the plant if necessary.

Indoor views

Classification by leaf color

Oxalis (O. triangularis)

The most famous of the species grown in indoor floriculture, its other name is Regnella (oxalis regnellii). The leaves are triangular in shape, purple-violet, on tall thin petioles. The color of the leaf plate is two-color, bright purple in the middle, darker towards the edges of the leaf.

The size of the plant is 15-20 cm. From a distance, the flower creates the effect of fluttering butterflies. The flowers are purple, small (no more than 3 cm in diameter), collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pieces. Blooms from February to August. When the plant is large, many of its leaves hang from the pot. In indoor gardening it is used as an hanging plant.

Varieties:

• Papilionacea (Oxalis triangularis subsp.papilionacea) has soft green leaves, over which numerous white flowers appear in spring and summer.
• Cupido has a strong contrast: very dark leaves, violet-black and bright purple flowers;
• Silverado - green leaves with silver speckles, white flowers.

Succulent (Oxalis succulenta)

Tall, up to 35 cm, plant. It has a bizarre appearance - thickened short petioles bear small trifoliate leaves at their ends. The color of the petioles is olive-gray, covered with a waxy coating.

The leaves are light green or bronze-green, depending on the variety. This type of sorrel can remain without water for a short time; moisture is stored in the fleshy petioles. It blooms with small yellow flowers collected in sparse inflorescences.

Nine-leaved (O. enneaphylla)

A stemless creeping herbaceous perennial. It forms a dense turf, 8-10 cm in size. The leaves on pubescent petioles are palmate, consist of 9 lobes, are often in a semi-folded state, and are bluish-green in color. From a distance, the leaf resembles a green double flower.

It blooms in May-July with fragrant large funnel-shaped flowers (diameter 2-3 cm). The color varies depending on the variety:

• Alba has white funnel-shaped flowers with a greenish-yellow center;
• Minutifolia is a miniature copy of K. nine-leaved, 5-8 cm in size, with large pink flowers;
• Sheffield Swan - large white flowers against grey-green foliage.

In indoor gardening of winter gardens, greenhouses are used as a ground cover plant, decorating the surface of pots with large specimens.

Hedysaroides (Oxalis hedysaroides)

Subshrub, grows up to 30 cm with three-lobed leaves sitting on short, up to 4 cm, petioles. The color of the leaf blade is two-color - green with brown spots. The flowers are bright yellow, on brown stalks.

Variety Rubra - leaf color is dark purple.

Ortgies (Oxalis ortgiesii)

An adult plant looks like a miniature “tree”. Leaves up to 7 cm, trifoliate, sit on long, slightly drooping petioles. Depending on the lighting, the foliage may be green or brownish-red. The inflorescences consist of 5-7 small yellow flowers.

Species valued for flower color:

Variegated (Oxalis versicolor)

The species is low, up to 20 cm, compact with trifoliate small needle-like leaves

Flowers immediately attract attention. Based on their color, gardeners often compare them to Christmas candies; they have a second name - caramel flower

Bright white funnel-shaped flowers with a red edge around the edge of each petal create a striped effect. The plant is very thermophilic. Variety "Golden Cape" The flowers are bright yellow with a red border along the edge. From a distance, the stripes appear orange. The leaves are medium sized, bright green.

Oxalis Obtuza

Forms a compact miniature rosette, 8-10 cm high. The leaf blade is slightly pubescent or smooth, green. Flowers rise above the foliage on thin petioles. Valued for its ease of care and many varieties with peach, yellow and white flowers.

Variety Lady Elizabeth - blooms with delicate whitish-lilac funnel-shaped flowers with a greenish-yellow center.

Variety of species

More than 80 species of wood sorrel grow in nature. Among those cultivated for growing at home, about 20 varieties of wood sorrel are known.

Each plant variety has its own individual external characteristics; the species differ in the timing and duration of flowering.

Common oxalis

This variety of wood sorrel grows most actively in coniferous forests and swampy areas. Some of the specimens grow up to 10-12 cm in height. The rhizome is thin, creeping, and distinctive swellings form on some bushes. The leaf blades are located on thin shoots and have a triangular heart-shaped shape.

Shoots and flowers are green or bright light green. The plant contains a high content of ascorbic and oxalic acid; the leaves taste sour. When the buds are released in the first half of summer, single white flowers appear.

They are characterized by rounded edges with red or lilac veins. This variety of wood sorrel takes root very rarely at home. However, some gardeners plant the flower in pots and flowerpots due to its vitamin composition and high ascorbic acid content.

Oxalis Violet

This flower belongs to the heat-loving species. The plant is cultivated for indoor growing and is distinguished by large purple-violet leaves. On the upper parts of the shoots there are three plates with angular ends.

When flowering, the plant produces several pink buds on thin stalks. The oxalis flower usually blooms in June. With good feeding and additional lighting it can bloom again.

Variegated Oxalis

This variety of plant is considered one of the most original indoor oxalis. A compact bush up to 15 cm high, up to 25 cm wide, has many thin stems with juicy green narrow leaves.

The Variegated Oxalis flower is a cylindrical tube with white and burgundy stripes. With the onset of night, all the inflorescences curl into narrow tubes, and in the morning they straighten again.

Oxalis Quatrefoil

The plant is a perennial and reproduces mainly by bulbs. It grows naturally in Mexico and Panama. When grown indoors it reaches a height of 15 cm.

Thin, shortened stems emerge from the black bulb. Inflorescences are formed inside a rosette with 3-6 petiolate leaves. They are green at the edges and have dark brown spots in the center.

Four-leaved wood sorrel blooms from June to September. The buds have an umbrella shape and a rich red hue. At the base the flowers are colored yellow.

The diameter of the flowers can reach from 2 to 4 cm. Experts note that in small pots, flowering lasts longer, but the flowers themselves are small. If you plant wood sorrel in a large pot, you will be pleased with the large size of the flowers.

Wintering garden oxalis in rooms

This indoor plant is becoming increasingly popular in decorating gardens, balconies, terraces and even city flower beds. Due to the elegant appearance of the bushes and the inimitable variety of colors, sorrel is planted in flower beds and open soil. But only the most cold-resistant species can overwinter in the ground, and even then with careful cover under a layer of leaves, spruce branches and non-woven materials.

To preserve them for next year, heat-loving oxalis need to be moved indoors. If the wood oxalis have retained their leaves for the winter and even bloom, and the plants have been dug up in advance, before frost, then the rules for their wintering are no different from indoor wood oxalis.

If the oxalis have dropped their leaves, then it is better to preserve the prepared nodules in the same way as any bulbous ones - outside the soil or in an “intermediate” substrate:

• After digging, the bulbs are cleaned and dried in a shaded, ventilated room;
• Having placed the bulbs in a cardboard box or disinfected sand, peat, coconut substrate or sawdust, oxalis is sent for the winter along with other bulbous plants in a cool, dry room.

For oxalis triangularis and other species that can bloom for more than 9 months, fertilizing is reduced for the winter, but not stopped.

Shifting the wintering area to force flowering bushes

Lush growth and massive flowering of oxalis can be achieved at any time, but for this, the plant’s dormant period must be properly controlled. Fashionable oxalis, especially Deppe's four-leaf oxalis, are often brought out in the same way as bulbous oxalis for the holidays. After all, the plant, nicknamed lucky clover, is becoming an increasingly popular gift in the form of a living bouquet.

Regardless of the type of sorrel, in order to achieve atypical flowering from it, you need to reduce the temperature within the limits acceptable for each type and limit watering for 6-8 weeks. Oxalis blooms 30-40 days after normal watering is resumed and transferred back to warmth.

At the same time, Deppe's wood sorrel, which completely sheds its leaves, must be kept at an air temperature of 10 to 12 degrees, and other species at temperatures from 12 to 16 degrees.

Hygiene is a priority

All oxalis that retain leaves in winter require frequent inspection and attention. Leaving dry leaves, fading cuttings and flowers, and allowing the substrate under the bush to become clogged just in winter is the biggest mistake. Any damaged or fading parts should be removed as soon as possible.

The “cleaner” the bushes are (even if you have to leave not so many leaves), the less the risk that oxalis will be seriously damaged by pests and diseases during wintering.

It is worth observing the plant for another reason: this way you can take timely measures by moving the sorrel to brighter places and raising the humidity to a comfortable level.