What are the cultivation methods and precautions for purple shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)?

Purple shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) is surely familiar to many people; it is a fairly common plant in daily life, and because of its high ornamental value it is deeply loved by consumers. The main ornamental feature of purple shamrock is its leaves, which are purple, and it bears small white flowers. Many people grow it now, but there are also some points to note when cultivating it.

How to grow purple shamrock

1. Temperature. Oxalis likes a warm, humid environment, and the most suitable growing temperature is 16~22°C. It is not cold-tolerant; below 10°C the plant stops growing, and at 0°C the leaves wither. But as long as the underground rhizome is not frozen, it can still sprout new leaves and grow normally in April of the following year. To keep the leaves in normal condition in winter, the temperature must be kept above 5°C. It is not heat-tolerant; when the temperature exceeds 35°C, the leaves curl, growth slows, and it enters a dormant period. Water should be sprayed on the leaves promptly, and shade and ventilation should be increased.

2. Light. Oxalis needs sufficient light to grow and should be grown in full sun or partial sun. In spring and autumn it should receive ample sunlight; too much shade will cause the leaves to become dull and lusterless, while the leaf stalks become weak and the plant shape becomes loose and messy. But strong direct light should also be avoided; from May to September it should be properly shaded to prevent sunscald. Oxalis has a strong phototropic tendency, so when keeping it on a balcony or windowsill, the position of the plant should be changed frequently so that all sides receive light evenly.

3. Environmental humidity. Oxalis likes a humid environment; when the growing environment is relatively dry, spray water around it promptly to raise the humidity. When potting and fertilizing, apply sufficient base fertilizer. During the growing season, to make the plant grow robustly and ensure the leaves are thick and glossy, apply a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer once a month.

Cultivation methods and precautions for purple shamrock

I. Cultivation methods:

1. Watering. It is drought-tolerant, but likes a humid environment. During the growing period, keep the potting soil moist and adhere to the principle of “do not water until dry, and water thoroughly when watering.” In the high-temperature summer season, the plant enters a dormant period; at this time water should be sprayed, and it is enough to keep the potting soil slightly moist. In winter, when the temperature drops below 10°C, water with the principle of preferring dry over wet to prevent the bulbs from rotting. Appropriate exposure to rain helps growth and development. But drainage should be timely; rainwater accumulating in the potting soil will cause the leaves to rot and cause the plants to die in patches.

2. Fertilizing. Pay attention to the concentration; too high a concentration will burn the bulbs and affect growth. Stop fertilizing from July to August. Be careful not to apply a single fertilizer, especially nitrogen fertilizer, as it will make the leaves turn from purple back to green and affect the ornamental value. When fertilizing, do not splash liquid fertilizer onto the leaf surface, as it easily causes leaf diseases.

II. Precautions:

Oxalis grows very fast, so the pot should be repotted once every spring. When repotting, it is best to change the soil once, with the first choice being a loose, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.

Propagation techniques for purple shamrock

1. Sowing. When choosing sowing, the time must also be determined; it is best done in spring. The seeds of purple shamrock are relatively small, and it is not easy to sow them by hand, so sieved potting soil can be chosen for sowing indoors. Attention should be paid to maintaining humidity and temperature; a layer of plastic film can be laid over it to maintain humidity, and the temperature must be kept above 15°C for germination. After sowing is completed, germination can occur in about 15 days.

2. Division. First take the plant out of the soil, being careful not to damage the roots, remove most of the old soil, and before planting it into a new soil environment, separate the bulbs slightly, preferably by gently breaking them apart by hand. If you are going to plant the bulbs in a pot, it is best to use 3~4 bulbs, and the number planted per pot should not be too many. Excess leaves can be removed to reduce water absorption by the roots. In addition, the buds on its bulbs can be cut off and placed in a sand bed in an environment of 13 to 18°C, and new plants will soon grow.

Common pests of purple shamrock and their control

Thrips tabaci: a 1000-fold dilution of fenitrothion can be selected; omethoate can also be used, but not in excess. Water promptly and remove weeds in normal care.

Green peach aphid: we can choose imidacloprid plus 150 g of water to make a spray, and the effect is fairly noticeable. Likewise, in ordinary cultivation, pay attention to clearing away dead leaves and spent flowers, and promptly prune leaves bearing insects.

The cultivation methods for purple shamrock are actually very simple. When cultivating it, be sure to control the temperature; in high summer temperatures, be sure to provide sun protection and shade, and then the amount of fertilizer and water also needs to be controlled well. Only by doing these things well can purple shamrock grow better.