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i_love_flowers

Oxalis/purple shamrock problems

i_love_flowers
12 years ago

I have a purple shamrock that I bring in in the Winter and recently I noticed that it was looking really bad so I took a closer look. It looks like it might have powdery mildew but I'm not sure. Everything I've read so far make it sound like the mildew should be on top of the leaves. My plant has white powdery circles on the underside of the leaves and the top of the leaves have dark brown/black dried up spots...sort of looks like blight spots. Does this still sound like powdery mildew and what should I use to get rid of it? I have already taken off lots of infected leaves but almost the whole plant is infected so that would leave almost no leaves. Should I just cut the whole thing back and let it start over. Help please!

Thanks

Comments (6)

  • birdsnblooms
    12 years ago

    Hello, I love Flowers. It could be mold, but are you familiar with Mealy Bug?
    Is it possible your Oxalis has Mealy instead of mold?

    Either way, if it was my Oxalis, I'd cut off the leaves, then remove ALL bulbs from soil.
    Check bulbs for firmness. If their soft, they''re most likely rotted.
    Wash(firm) bulbs w/soapy water. Rinse.
    Repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Water. The pot MUST have drainage holes.
    Place pot in a bright spot. Water well, but don't keep soil wet. Let soil dry a little between waterings..in winter, water less.

    Hopefully you can save your plant. Oxalix are fast-growers, especially spring and summer. Don't worry about cutting leaves...as long as the bulbs are healthy, new leaves will return.

    Good luck, Toni

  • tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
    12 years ago

    ILF - Maybe you could search some of these possibilities to narrow it down: It sounds like it could be chlorotic ring spot disease, a common affliction of Oxalis that isn't treatable. Another likely possibility is Oxalis rust, which usually makes its presence known through the mustard-yellow to light-orange concentric rings on the underside of foliage. The rust IS treatable with a variety of fungicides, and neem oil is fairly effective as both a prophylactic measure and a fix. Graymold (botrytis blight), which might be what you were referring to is another possibility, the treatment of which, with fungicides, is generally unsuccessful.

    Al

  • i_love_flowers
    Original Author
    12 years ago

    Toni: thanks for the advice. I think I will end up cutting the whole thing back and see what happens. I'm familiar with mealy bugs and I'm pretty sure that's not what the problem is. Could be mold though.

    Al: I don't think it's rust as there is no yellow/orange on the leaves....only white. You mentioned chlorotic ring spot and that it's not treatable....by not treatable do you mean the whole plant is lost or can I cut it completely back and let it start over? I will do some looking into the graymold and see if that's what it looks like. Thanks for the reply

  • birdsnblooms
    12 years ago

    I Love Flowers.. Since you're familiar with Mealy, it's probably mold.

    Don't worry about cutting leaves..they grow fast. But, I'd consider removing them from soil, and repotting.

    Oxalis don't like 'too wet' feet..Moist, yes, but not wet.
    If you decide to unpot, 'depending on the length of time you had this plant, and age,' there will be a number of bulbs growing alongside the others..Try not to lose them. lol.
    Hopefully, you're Oxalis will be fine..Toni

  • Sanaz Haddadian
    6 years ago

    Hi,

    I would like to ask if you have found any treatment for your oxalis. It seems my green Oxalis has the same problem. I searched a lot to find a similar case, but still no solution for that. I would be thankful if you can help me in case you found a way.

  • marguerite_gw Zone 9a
    6 years ago

    I think this is insect damage, I've had it on a leaf or two only; all other leaves are unaffected, so it's not a 'spreading' condition as far as I can ascertain. It only occurs in the garden. With you how many leaves are affected? Leaves on my inside plants are fine.