Lucky Shamrock Care and Propagation

Lucky Shamrock - Oxalis

The lucky shamrock is easy to care for and easy to propagate. With the simple ideas you will find here you too can grow lucky shamrock and enjoy it as it thrives.It has pretty white flowers that perfectly compliment it's leaves which are often tinted with purples and dark greens.

Despite its name it is not a shamrock at all but a member of the wood sorrel family called Oxalis triangularis. You can regularly find it for sale around St.Patricks day at most garden centers and plant shops.

Growing Lucky Shamrock

Light requirements -Moderate to bright. During the active growing phases of lucky shamrock they do best with bright full sun but when the plant enters it's dormant phase, usually during winter months, they can be removed from bright light.

Moisture requirements (spring and summer) - Let dry. Water plant thoroughly but allow the soil to dry at least 2" deep between waterings.

Moisture requirements (winter and fall) - Very dry. Lucky shamrock will enter a dormant growth cycle as the days grow shorter. Cut back watering to once or twice a month during the cooler months to help prevent rot and leaf drop.

Soil requirements - Quick draining. A soil that is quick draining works best for these plants. They require moist soil that can dry on the surface fairly quickly. Regular potting works just fine with this plant.

Soil pH requirements - pH 6.1 to 6.5. Lucky shamrock favors a neutral soil pH balance. A great guide to understanding and changing soil pH can be found here Soil pH - Acid Soil or Alkaline Soil - What You Need to Know.

Fertilizer requirements - Every 1-2 months with mild plant fertilizer. Fertilize with regular house plant fertilizer frequently during active growth cycles. Cut back the fertilizer amounts when the lucky shamrock enters its dormant growth phases.

Temperature requirements -55° nighttime and 70-75° daytime. Lucky shamrock fairs well at normal home temperatures. It will experience brown leaf tips and leaf loss when subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations or very dry air.

Repotting - Springtime, when necessary. Re-pot when necessary using the plant overall health and size as an indicator.

Country of origin - South America

Life Span - Perennial

Lucky Shamrock Propagation

Propagation of the lucky shamrock plant is done by dividing the bulbs or tubers which are found at the base of the leaf stems.

Once you've figured out the proper methods you will experience successful lucky shamrock propagation.easy to do though the new plants may give you a bit of trouble as they can be tricky to make root.

Remember to use sterile equipment and soil when propagating. It helps to prevent many common ailments such as fungus, mold and insects.

What You Will Need

• A sharp knife or scissors
• Rooting hormone (liquid or powder) or try this recipe for homemade organic rooting hormone
• A pot or container
• Suitable soil (regular potting soil works well)
• A parent plant (the plant you will take the cutting from)
• An area where you can work
• Some paper towels or something to help clean up and place cuttings on

How to Start Propagating Lucky Shamrock

1. Start by getting your materials together.
2. Select the stem sections you will use to begin your new plants, find tubers that have both some roots and stems with active growing leaves. Three or fours will make a nice new plant.
3. Gently break the selected stems away from the clusters taking care to damage as little as possible of both the original plant and the sections you are taking away. Set them aside.
4. Place soil in your new pot and water until moist.
5. Insert the lucky shamrock tubers in the soil, root side down and leaf side up. It's best to make the holes to place the plants in instead of forcing the tuber into the soil. This avoids breaking any roots off.
6. Pack the soil around the newly inserted plants and stake them with straws or chopsticks if needed.
7. Cover the pots with plastic bags to prevent moisture loss, but remove them if excessive condensation forms on the inside of the bag.
8. After about 4 weeks remove your plastic and enjoy your new lucky shamrock plant or give it away to a friend.

Tips and Tricks for Growing and Propagating Lucky Shamrock

• Regularly pinch off dead or dying leaf stems or flowers from your lucky shamrock plant. This will help the plant to focus it's energy on new growth.
• The delicate leaves of a lucky shamrock can be a victim to insects like aphids and spider mites. Regular inspections of you plant will help you keep your plants healthy and happy.
• Avoid warm dry air, it will cause leaf loss.
• A lucky shamrocks leaves will close in low light conditions making this plant an interesting addition to your collection.
• A lucky shamrock plant uses photonasty to moves its leaves in response to light levels.