Oxalidaceae family consists of 800 species of shrubs, perennials and annual herbs. It is the shamrock of these plants, and not the clover leaf, as is commonly believed, that is the state symbol of Ireland. As a Christmas gift, room sour, which is easy to care for, is given in Catholic countries.
In Russia, many types of oxalis have perfectly adapted and are successfully used in landscape design. Beautiful decorations are formed from low-growing ground cover plants: pillows on lawns, compact compositions on flower beds, used to create alpine slides.
Homemade oxalises
Among the huge variety of representatives of this family, there are perennial and annual representatives. More common are herbaceous species that are grown as ampelous or decorative leafy plants. Most species have three or four lobed leaves; specimens with five or six and nine lobes, located on long petioles, are much less common. The leaves have a characteristic sour taste.
Depending on the species, the plant may have a tuber, rhizome or bulb. Modest and not too expressive flowers can be painted in yellow, white, pink, purple. They are collected in graceful umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Many varieties fold their leaves at night, before rain, in bright sunshine.
From time immemorial, some types of oxalis have been eaten. In Indian tribes, they even specially grew sour and ate its boiled tubers, which contain a large amount of starch. Oxalis became known as a room culture in the 17th century. Since that time, she has conquered the hearts of home flower lovers in many countries of the world with her unusual appearance and unpretentious care.
Most often at home grow purple room sorrel (Oxalis triangularis) and four-leaf sorrel (Oxalis tetraphylla).
Triangular Oxide (purple)
This plant attracts houseplant enthusiasts with beautiful velvety leaves in the form of butterfly wings. They are located on long petioles. Due to the unusual shape of the tripartite maroon or purple leaves, this variety is often called Madame Butterfly.
Cell-shaped small flowers, painted in cream, pinkish or lilac, do not represent a special decorative value, but at the same time they look quite impressive against the background of purple leaves. This room sour, the photo of which you can see in the article, has an interesting feature,for which flower growers appreciate it. In inclement weather or with the onset of night, the plant folds its beautiful leaves-wings, and it seems that a flock of beautiful butterflies sat down to rest on a bush. In clear weather, the leaves open again.
This is a picky plant - purple room sorrel. Care at home for him is extremely simple, but we will talk about this a little later.
Four-leaved oxalis
A photo of a four-leaved oxalis indoor flower can be seen on the pages of floristry publications and in our article. The plant is often used to decorate rock gardens, flower beds and other objects in landscape design, for growing in gardens. In recent years, it has often been seen on window sills in apartments, as this easy-to-care plant thrives at home.
This bulbous perennial has four-lobed leaves painted in light green with a maroon spot located in the center of the plate. Raspberry-red flowers gather in an elegant inflorescence. Designers often use this variety when creating a green zone in the interior of an apartment.
Succulent oxalis
The plant differs from other species in the form of complex leaves and the presence of delicate pink inflorescences. Bush about 40 cm high, flowering continues until the very beginning of winter. This variety of oxalis can be grown both outdoors and at home.
Hedisaried Oxide
Small evergreen shrubs about 25see. The plant has brown shoots and trifoliate leaves. The axillary peduncle is crowned with several yellowish flowers. Can be grown indoors as an ornamental plant.
Room sorrel: home care
The oxalis purchased in the store must undergo a week of acclimatization in the new home. After that, it should be transplanted into another pot. It is desirable to do this in early spring, when the plant wakes up. In an adult plant, lightly shake off the ground and carefully remove the old dead roots. In winter, when the plant has stopped growing and entered a dormant period, you can disassemble the roots without problems. After transplanting into a new soil, indoor sorrel will bloom in a month.
Resting period
Oxalis blooms throughout December, which is why it is often called the Christmas flower of happiness. Later, growth stops, the leaves droop. The plant enters a dormant period. With its onset, it is necessary to cut the cuttings, leaving small stumps, no more than one and a half centimeters high. The pot is moved to a dry, cool room, the temperature in which does not rise above + 15 ° C.
During this period, acid is watered no more than once a month. The plant is exposed to a bright place only after the first shoots appear on it.
Where to put the flower?
Caring for room sour involves choosing a place with soft diffused lighting. Suitable southeast and southwest side of the room. At the same time, on the north side, and even in the back of the roomthe plant develops normally. Try to position the plant in such a way that the sun's rays do not fall on it. On hot sunny days, window glass should be shaded.
Temperature conditions
Room sour in winter enters a dormant period when the plant needs to be rearranged away from heating appliances. The optimal winter temperature is considered to be in the range from +15 to +18°C. On warm spring days and in summer, the flower can be taken out into the garden or onto the balcony, but always in partial shade. Temperatures around +25°C are allowed in summer.
Humidity
For the successful cultivation of room sour, both moderate and high humidity (up to 60%) are suitable. It is not recommended to spray the plant during the dormant period, but if the room is very hot and dry, place a container of water next to the flower. In summer, oxalis is regularly sprayed with soft warm water.
Irrigation
As with every plant, caring for room sour (you can see the photo in this article) involves regular watering. For this, warm settled water is used. In spring and summer it should be plentiful - the soil should not dry out. Remove the water flowing into the pan.
Closer to autumn, watering is reduced to one or two times a week. In winter, it is enough for the plant to receive moisture once a month.
Soil
Room sorrel grows well and develops in a universal mixture for decorative foliage plants. If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made composition,soil mixture can be made independently. To do this, mix in equal parts:
- turf land;
- leaf ground;
- coarse sand;
- peat.
Fertilizer
During the period when the plant is actively growing and developing, it needs regular fertilizing with mineral complex fertilizers. They are brought in every two to three weeks. Experienced flower growers recommend reducing the concentration of the solution by half from that recommended by the manufacturer.
Transfer
Room sour is transplanted annually in the spring. When transplanting, give preference to wide ceramic or plastic pots. At the bottom of the pot, pour a layer of drainage (expanded clay, small gravel) with a layer of about three centimeters. This is necessary so that excess moisture does not stagnate. You can plant several bulbs in one pot at once.
Reproduction
Room oxalis can be propagated in various ways. Let's take a look at some of them.
Tubers (daughter bulbs)
In early spring or at the very end of winter, several he althy tubers are selected and planted in a common container. Bulbs should not be too deep: sprinkle them with soil, a layer of one and a half centimeters. Until the bulbs take root, the plant is kept in a cool room (+ 8 … + 11 ° C), periodically moistening the soil (moderately). After about 30-40 days, the air temperature is raised.
Dividing the roots
This procedure is more convenient to carry out during plant transplantation. Using a knifeor scissors (disinfected), the root must be divided into several pieces, which are planted in different containers.
Seeds
Another way that is carried out in early spring. Small seeds of oxalis are sown on the surface of the soil and, using a spray gun, gently moisten the substrate. The small size of the seeds allows them not to be sprinkled with soil, during irrigation they will sink a little into the substrate on their own.
Cuttings
Carefully separate the stalk with two or three leaves with a sharp garden knife and place it in moistened sand. Within a month, the seedlings are kept in this position at a temperature of about +25 ° C. Protect them from direct sunlight. By the end of the month, the cuttings will take root.
Pests and diseases of oxalis
With proper care, room acid (we posted a photo of it in this article) is resistant to insect attacks and most diseases. Otherwise, red spider mites, scale insects or aphids may appear on the plant.
- You can get rid of spider mites with the help of actelliks that are sprayed on the plant.
- By spraying the oxalis with a solution of two tablespoons (tablespoons) of liquid soap and two glasses of water, aphids can be destroyed.
- In the fight against scale insects, it is first necessary to collect all parasites from the plant, and then treat it with Aktara's solution. If after the first treatment the pests were not completely destroyed, the procedure can be repeated after a week.
- When watering too much, especially if you haven't given the plant a gooddrainage layer, oxalis can be affected by fusarium or gray rot. In the initial stage, both diseases are successfully treated with foundationazole.
Remember the precautions to be taken when working with drugs:
- plant must be handled outdoors;
- the surface of the soil must be protected from getting drugs on it;
- soap solution applied to the leaves and branches of the plant should be washed off with water after a few hours; at the same time, the soil must be covered with a film so that soap does not get into it.
Room sour can become an exquisite decoration of any interior, without requiring special attention and complex care. By following the simplest rules, you will definitely achieve the active development, growth and flowering of the plant.
