How to grow purple shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)? A detailed guide to care methods
Purple shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) is an introduced plant, but it has already been successfully naturalised in our country. As for the place of origin of purple shamrock, some say Brazil, others say Mexico, so we will not delve into that here. Purple shamrock is an excellent foliage plant; since it grows no more than 30 cm tall at most, it looks very attractive when planted in masses covering the ground. Below, Qinnong Net takes you through the care methods for this plant and helps you understand the growing requirements of purple shamrock.
Purple shamrock likes a warm, humid environment and is fairly drought-tolerant. Its most suitable growing temperature is 16°C-22°C, and it also needs plenty of light. Apart from the need for appropriate shading when the summer sun is intense, it can generally be given full sun in cultivation. Below we will look in detail at the care methods for purple shamrock.
1. Temperature
Purple shamrock is not cold-tolerant; below 10°C the plant stops growing, and at 0°C the leaves wither. However, as long as the underground rhizome is not frozen, it can still sprout new leaves in April of the following year and grow normally. To keep the leaves in normal condition in winter, the temperature must be kept above 5°C. It is also not tolerant of high temperatures: when the temperature exceeds 35°C, the leaves curl, growth slows, and the plant enters dormancy. Water should be sprayed on the leaves promptly, with shading and enhanced ventilation.
2. Light
In spring and autumn it should receive full sunlight; too much shade will make the leaves dull and lusterless, while the leaf stalks become weak and the plant shape straggly. But strong direct light should also be avoided; from May to September, appropriate shading is needed to prevent sunscald. Oxalis has a strong phototropic tendency, so when keeping it on a balcony or windowsill, the plant's position should be rotated frequently so that all sides receive light evenly.
3. Water
During the growing period, keep the potting soil moist, following the principle of "do not water until dry, and when you water, water thoroughly". In the high-temperature summer season, the plant enters dormancy; at this time water should be sprayed, keeping the potting soil only slightly moist. When the winter temperature drops below 10°C, water sparingly rather than wetly to prevent the bulbs from rotting. Appropriate exposure to rain helps growth and development. But drainage must be timely; rainwater accumulating in the potting soil will cause the leaves to rot and the plants to die off in patches. When the growing environment is relatively dry, spray water around promptly to raise humidity.
4. Fertilising
When potting up, apply sufficient base fertiliser. In the growing season, to make the plant grow vigorously and keep the leaves thick and glossy, apply a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertiliser once a month. Pay attention to the concentration when fertilising; too high a concentration will scorch the bulbs and affect growth. Stop fertilising from July to August.
Be careful not to apply a single-nutrient fertiliser, especially nitrogen fertiliser, as it will turn the leaves from purple back to green and reduce their ornamental value. When fertilising, do not splash liquid fertiliser onto the leaf surface, as this easily causes leaf diseases.
5. Pruning
Purple shamrock needs pruning when the following situations occur:
1. When the plant is growing too vigorously, promptly remove the denser leaves to improve ventilation and light penetration and promote growth.
2. Of course, in daily care, promptly remove withered and yellowed leaves to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases.
3. Growing flowers is about beauty; when the leaf stalks are too long or the plant shape is unattractive, the leaves can be cut back hard to let it grow new leaves again.
The above is what Qinnong Net has introduced regarding the care methods for purple shamrock. As you can see, the care of purple shamrock is relatively simple. This plant is quite suitable for group planting; the ground can be covered entirely in a sheet of purple, and when arranged neatly it is very spectacular. At the same time, purple shamrock also has certain medicinal effects, and when used externally it has the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain.