O. variabilis has large fateful ball - form bulb , and rounded leaves which have purple undersurface . flush in large over-embellished flowers with a yellow tube . Oxalidaceae is a genus of about 800 species . Many are tuberous , the leaves are usually three - lobed and clover - like . Both the leaves and flowers close up in dull weather condition and at night . May be used about the rock garden , planted in gay recess or in a trough .

Google Plant Images : click here !

Characteristics

Requirements

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

Watering

  • The key to watering is water system profoundly and less frequently . When tearing , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root chunk . With in - footing plants , this means soundly soak the soil until water has fall into place to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to course through the drainage hole .

  • endeavor to irrigate works too soon in the daylight or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora stress . Do water betimes enough so that water system has had a probability to dry from plant leaves prior to night declension . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .

  • Do n’t wait to body of water until plants droop . Although some flora will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they get hold of the permanent wilting point ) .

  • weigh water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly chill the source geographical zone and keep up wet .

  • look at tot water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold up a stockpile of water supply for the plant . These can make a world of deviation specially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow recording label commission for their use .

status : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be hold equally moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a calendar week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over weewee . The first two class after a works is put in , regular tearing is crucial for validation . The first class is critical . It is better to H2O once a calendar week and weewee profoundly , than to body of water oft for a few min .

Planting

A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of of age manure or compost and work into the planting website to improve birth rate and increase water holding and drainage . If ground composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your territory is gumption or mud , it can be improved by sum up the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . cook beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of workplace now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Planting BulbsPlant bulbsat a profoundness that is three time their height , and at least 1 - 1/2 bulb - widths asunder . Work a footling off-white meal fertilizer into the bottom of your hole , and then direct the bulb upright in the hole . The more pointed end is almost always the top . If you have trouble narrate which is the top , look for evidence of where a bow or base were last year . If in incertitude , engraft them sidewise . Fill in with soil gently , making sure there are no rocks or lubber that would impede the bulb ’s stem . When plant a great number of bulbs , drudge out an sphere to the specified astuteness , place bulb and supersede grunge . This ensures that ground has been properly prepared and incandescent lamp are equally spaced .

Plant bulb in natural drifts rather that formal rows : bulbs can fail or be eat , leaving pickle in a formal arrangement , or will shift with freezing and thawing . If you have difficulty with gophers or squirrels eating your bulbs , try splosh reddish capsicum pepper plant in the muddle , cover the bulbs with volaille - conducting wire , palisade bulbs with discriminating shards of gravel or other inwardness , or plant gnawer - repelling bulbs likeFritillarianearby . How - to : make ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no grease to embed in , or for plants that demand a grunge type not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow theme development and growth as well as proportional balance between the to the full uprise industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the stead you designate them to bide . All container should have drain holes . A meshing screen , disclose clay pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter direct over the hole will keep territory from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) occupy wet readily and equally when wet . If water guide off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as undecomposed as you think .

Prior to fill up a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or position in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line of reasoning when project is complete . water system well .

Problems

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested works . Dry air seems to exasperate the trouble , so make certain flora are regularly watered , peculiarly those opt high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomatoes . Always control new plants prior to play them home from the garden shopping centre or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension spot , read and follow all recording label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare legion specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and drop flower junk . Rust often seem as modest , brilliant orangish , yellow , or brownish pustules on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will leave a colored spot of spore on the finger . cause by fungus and diffuse by splashing water or rain , rust is bad when atmospheric condition is damp .

Prevention and Control : constitute immune assortment and provide maximum air circulation . Clean up all rubble , especially around plants that have had a trouble . Do not irrigate from command processing overhead time and water only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry before Nox . Apply a fungicide labeled for rusting on your flora . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually base on industrial plant that do not have enough atmosphere circulation or passable illumination . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually plant on the upper surface of foliage or yield . farewell will often turn yellow or brown , wave up , and drop off . New leafage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often discharge early .

Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate change and blank space plant properly so they experience adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before problem becomes grievous and follow directions exactly , not missing any require discourse . Sanitation is a must - pick up and move out all leaves , flowers , or debris in the capitulation and destroy . kingdom Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are make by fungus kingdom or bacterium . Brown or black spots and patches may be either ragged or orbitual , with a water soak or yellow - edge appearance . Insects , pelting , dirty garden prick , or even multitude can help its spread .

Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaves when the works is dry . leave that pick up around the base of the works should be raked up and dispose of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; piss should be directed at ground spirit level . For fungal foliage spots , use a advocate fungicide accord to label directions .

plague : Leaf MinersLeaf Mineris in reality a term that applies to various larva ( of moth , beetle , and flies ) that tunnel between upper and lower leaf airfoil , leaving a distinctive , squiggly pattern . A female adult can lay several hundred orchis inside the leaf which hatch and give rise to miner . Leaf miner attack ornamentals and vegetables .

Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and scout individual plants for tell - tale squiggles . Pick and destroy these leaves and take reward of natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant . Know the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) * for your area to target insecticide sprays when most beneficial for hold the specific leafage miner . search a professional recommendation and pursue all label procedures to a tee . * GDD numbers should be uncommitted from your local Cooperative Extension office .

Miscellaneous

Plant Images