I let my oxalis bulb go dormant this winter. Today I checked them and the bulbs are still firm so I watered them. Now my question is, the bulbs have multiplied, Can I, or should I, separate the bulbs? And how many should I plant, if I do divide them, in a 6 inch pot?
I don't know about Oxalis, but with other Spring blooming bulbs you should divide them in late Summer or Fall. If you divide them in the Spring you most likely will not get any blooms until the next year.
Hi 2ofus. Hmmmm. I really don't know 2. Wetre they pretty full in their pots before? If so, I might knock them out of their pots, replenish the soil & reduce the # of bulbs per pot. But I am a fine one to offer advice (not). I say this because I was growing them on a window sill in my office & they were beautiful! I went away on vacation & my plant caretaker missed watering them. I think they have gone dormant. I have resumed watering them but they look pretty whimpy. They are not dead but only have 3 leaves when they had 20 before. Do I let them rest, repot or what?
I really like them too! I have the maroon-red leafed variety & I grow them in pale green pots....great color contrast.
Hi 2ofus,..i have a few very big containers of Oxalis debilis,.. growing in the garden for the past 12 years,..i do have to remove many of the bulbs at the start of each season as the containers fill up and the bulbs get overcrowded,..if your bulbs have not sprouted stems and leaves you can divide your Oxalis,..if they have sprouted and have leaves there will be a delay in blooming of those removed and re potted,..they are a sturdy bulb and will catch up along the season. In a six inch pot i would plant four bulbs,..there will be far more by the end of Autumn 2016. My Oxalis debilis.
Hi Philip, your photo is gorgeous. I am wondering if I have a different kind of oxalis. My plant leaves are 1.5-2" across & have 3 lobes. They look like a large 3 leafed clover. My leaves are purple but I've seen the same plant with all green leaves.
Sorry I'm late in returning to thank everyone for answering my question. The oxalis I have is like yours, Cayuga, with the dark leaves. They aren't really crowded yet, I just want to increase the amount of containers I have. Philip, mine are still dormant but I think I'll just buy some more bulbs. I like the picture of yours and it would make a nice contrast to put them near the the dark leafed ones.
Is this like the one you two have? I have a pot full of them in the south shady area and has been out there for about 4 years, no special care except watering when needed. It goes dormant in the Winter then comes back in the Spring. Oxalis 'Charmed Wine' (Shamrock)
Yep, that's the one I have also. I really like it on my shady patio. It blooms a lot, but even out of bloom the leaves are so decorative that it is still pretty. I have mine in a blue pot...I might have to check out a green one!
