Need help with Oxalis Part 2?

I have decorative oxalis (triangularis, iron cross, etc) the ones with triangle-shaped leaves, green or purple color, and white or pink flowers. Not ground clover or common clover.



Seem to have a "burn hole" problems, along with yellow "mold"?? Look terrible. Recurs if I cut off leaves. Fenced yard - no recent fertilizers or weed control.



THANKS Everyone!

Need help with Oxalis Part 2?
Sorry to have called your Oxalis a weed in Part I. It is still a weed, however, when cultivated with care, a useful planting. I wonder if you have taken a recent soil sample of the garden for examination of the PH? This is a high alkaline plant. I would ASAP do the soil test to be on the safe side.

Have you recently mulched the bed? If so the mulch may have been the carrier of a disease that is infecting the plantings. Things such as compost, organic mulch, sludge, etc. often contain elements that we do not forsee as harmful.

The mold is an indication that all is not right with the soil or mulch.

If you have recently mulched the bed remove it immediately.

If you have not mulched, turn over as much soil as you can get to, in the bed and around the plant, to a four inch level. Let the soil lay disturbed for a week. Do this even if you did apply a mulch. Apply a two inch layer of shredded cedar mulch to your bed. This reduces molds and insects.

Continue to remove the dead leaves. Do this with shears and not by hand! When you do this action dip the shears in a small bucket of bleach and water (10% solution) between cuts. These ornamentals are highly sensitive to any sprays.

Here we treed carefully.

Once a week, after the removal of the dead, you can gently mist the plants with a spray bottle (if possible) with a mixture of Pure Ivory Liquid Dish Detergent and water at a ratio of 1tsp per quart. To this you can also add, much as I hate to say it, a sprinkle of straight Miricle-Gro. The Ivory will combat any insects that are attacking the suffering plants and the Miricle Gro help restore the plants resistance.

Consider spreading a granular 10-10-10 with mineral fertilizer over the soil before mulching. This balanced fert is both cheap and can be used now, early June, early september, and as a early boost if applied in late Nov. If you are not so opposed I would stongly suggest that you purchase a container of granular Sevin Insecticide for use now and in mid-August. This product will provide you with insect control (wide range) and is commonly used in flea collars for animals (relatively safe).

Sorry about the weed comment earlier. My mind forgot the many beautiful usages of the heathers, oxalis, and other so called weeds. gjgjobs@yahoo.com

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