All, Some more responses to recent postings. regards Robin Mary Sue wrote > > > Does this checklist tell where each of the species is from or time of > bloom? I've looked at the Kew list before when I have been puzzled about a > name and often all that was listed was the name of the plant and the > authority and I am afraid I wanted more information than that. > For most species in just quotes the same information as IPNI, particularly for the non-African taxa, but there is additional data for some species. > > "The potting mix for Oxalis depends on what kind of Oxalis you are > planting. I find that the winter growing species from the Western Cape area > of South Africa (now correctly the Southern Cape I think) all do best > planted in a very poor mix with little or no organic material. In > habitat they almost all grow in pure decomposed sandstone. For these winter > growing species I use 50% agricultural pumice, 40% washed builder's sand > and 10% leaf mould (or less). A mix of pumice and washed builder's sand > would be adequate without any organics at all. I fertilize with a 15-30-15 > fertilizer at 1/4 strength about once a month. I don't like perlite because > of the dust and because it floats to the top in a planting mix. > > It sounds like Oxalis are very flexible. > They certainly are. The protocol that Michael described is fine providing the plants do not go without water for long periods. I find the 2 parts soil based compost (I use JI #2) to one part grit to be better in this respect as it is more moisture retentive. I use it for all my Oxalis, both summer and winter growing. Andrew wrote.... >O heptaphylla, O. pentaphylla and O. polyphylla. They form a rather unusual group, but a rather choice one. This species complex (they are forms of polyphylla) are nice plants and do increase freely. The Vassar introduction assigned as v. heptaphylla (MV6396) originates from Vanrhynsdorp, S Africa and is unusual in that it is almost acaulescent. Lauw wrote.. >There are other Oxalis with equally deorative leaves >like the O palmifrons (still waiting to see the flowers but very decorative leaves) In my experience this is very difficult to flower. Suggestions welcome!!!!