Oxalis--TOW - More responses
Robin Attrill (Thu, 13 Nov 2003 14:58:29 PST)
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!!!!