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Growing and Caring for Shamrock Plants

Oxalis deppei
April 25,1998

Melissa wrote:

I am writing concerning a shamrock plant I received as a gift recently. Every day it has leaves that have turned completly yellow. I've been removing these leaves, but it has continued to happen. The yellow leaves are usually the smaller, newer leaves. Is there anthing I can do to help this plant survive?

Shamrocks

Shamrocks, Oxalis sp., are very easy to grow, but they do have a few requirements. They like cool air, moist soil, and bright light but not direct sun. They are bulbs and like all bulbs they need a period of dormancy every once in a while. Shamrocks will need a couple rest periods every year to do their best. When the plant starts to look a little punky, stop watering, and when the leaves all turn brown, pull them off. Set the pot somewhere that it will remain cool and dry for about two or three months.(the purple leaf varieties only need about a month) After they have enjoyed their 'vacation', resume watering and give them a shot of all purpose house plant food (10-10-10), and in a very short time you will be rewarded with a happy new set of growth. At the end of the dormant cycle you might want to remove the bulbs from the pot, seperate them and replant just under the surface of the soil in good, slightly sandy houseplant soil.

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