I have an Oxalis ??? houseplant. It has the maroon leaves with pink flowers. I currently have it on the east side window and gets full sun for about 4 hours. It is still flowering, both is getting stringing particularly in the middle. Is it getting too muchh sun? Please give me ideas. moni
I have two plants that I took from my ma's garden in the fall because I knew a friend who maybe would want them. I haven't seen that friend so they've been in my house since then. For the few months that I've had them in the house, I mainly had them under artificial lights and they grew very strong and erect. Flowers just like yours, and seeming very healthy. Just recently I decided the real estate under the grow lights was more important for my cacti so I moved the Oxalis to a window on the east side of the house and they got very droopy like you're describing. If I had any say in it, I'd say it is not enough light. If you can find a sunnier spot, try that out. Artificial light is also good if you have it. Good luck. Happy gardening.
four hours of sun I'd say wouldn't be fun to live with. That's what mine are receiving right now and they are drab. When they were under the lights with 14 hour artificial light, they were very healthy, very dense. Now, only a few leaves stand up. I'll make room on one of the tables with the artificial lights to put one of the Oxalis plants back up there and I'll report back to you on how quickly they perk up if they do. They'll start receiving that 14 hours of artificial light tomorrow morning. I would be surprised if they aren't perky by the end of the day. I'll take pictures to record it.
I have to eat my words. At the end of day one, the oxalis is still droopy and looking bad. I do believe that it will get back to a healthy state after some time under the lights. But if it doesn't, I think maybe cold could have something else to do with this. The oxalis that was relying on the morning sun and not the artificial light was right by the front door, and it is COLD here in Chicago right now. It was in the 20's Fahrenheit today. Maybe a draft could have something to do with these plants not being happy. It can be very stressful for the plants. I had them in the room where the central heating system blows the most heat. And then they were moved to a much colder location. But, (and I'm guessing from a google search that Destrehan USA is in Louisiana?), I'm thinking cold is not a problem for you right now? or am I wrong? I truly believe that in your case, if you can, you should try to get some more sun. If only just for a week to see if the plant does perk up. Do you have a picture of the plant? Where did you get the plant from? Was it growing outside and you dug it up and perhaps damaged some of the roots? How old is the soil? Is it the right soil for the plant? These are just some general, very basic, questions so maybe we can find out what it is that your plant is struggling with.
OK. I just read up a little bit online and I think maybe in both of our cases, we're saying goodbye to the herbaceous portion of our Oxalis plants for three months. After flowering, these plants will decide to go dormant. It is just their nature. They need rest, and when they are ready for that, their leaves will droop and then wilt. This is similar to seeing your tulips and daffodils or other Spring-time bulbs dying back at the end of their flowering cycle. Oxalis are bulbs just like those two plants. The leaves drooping and wilting is a indication of the plant sending it's nutrients and vitals into the roots. For three months, you can leave your oxalis plants in a cool dark dry place while it sleeps off its winter. After its winter rest, you can bring it back into your sunny position, start regularly giving it some water as it needs it and see a larger healthier plant. If the plant looks so packed in it's pot, you can divide it into two or more pots as you see the need. Or maybe you would like to seperate it a bit, give it some space, and put it all into a larger pot. The scientific name is Oxalis triangularis. On the wikipedia page, you can find the basic facts about the plant, and they've got the same propagation instructions on there as I have advised for you. I'm sorry that this plant will not give a show year round. I had not known this. They aren't a big interest of mine, but I took them from my mother's garden rather than just leaving them there to die. And as this is just going to be the case for whichever Oxalis plants you buy, you may want to buy a plant you like that will be showy during the winter. There are many plants that will be very interesting all year round. Get a better idea of what kind of plants you would be interested in keeping and see if you will be able to take care of that plant, and if that plant will be redeeming for you. That is what keeping plants is all about for me, find the plants that you will be happy to see every day. Happy Gardening.
