230 
CULTURE OF THE GENUS OXALIS. 
2. Greenhouse species. Many of these will endure a deal of cold, and require 
but a slight shelter in winter. They are chiefly natives of the Cape of Good Hope, 
and thrive in a mixture of about equal parts of sandy loam and peat. 
The O. crenata. Tubers of this species should be planted singly in small pots 
early in April, and placed in a peach-house, or any other place where a moderate 
temperature is kept, until they have grown a little, and when all danger of frosts is 
over they should be planted in a light garden soil about three feet apart. When 
they have grown sufficient to admit of earth being added to their stems, it should be 
done as soon as possible, for the stems throw out roots into the ridge of earth, where 
the best, and not unfrequently the only tubers are produced. 
O. fioribundi. Any time from the middle of February until the beginning of 
March, the fleshy roots may be divided, taking care that each cutting of roots 
possesses a growing bud. Plant them in a flat pot or pan, filled with clear sand ; 
after being planted, give them a little water, and place them in a stove or some other 
place where they will receive a brisk heat ; give them the benefit of light and sun, 
and in a fortnight they will have grown considerably. 
In potting, the best way is, to empty the soil out of the cutting pot, and take each 
plant carefully and place it in a sixty-sized pot, filled with equal parts of light rich 
loam and peat, with a small portion of sand. Give a small portion of water when 
potted, and give them a little heat and shade, until they have begun to grow. 
Towards the end of March remove them into a cooler situation, and gradually intro- 
duce them into a cooler temperature, until by the middle of May they will endure 
the open air, when they may be turned out into an open shady border. 
O. Deppei succeeds well in a south border, and increases rapidly. All the leaves 
die in winter. It is best to take up the roots in October, pot them, and keep 
them nearly dry until the beginning of March, when they may be repotted and kept 
in the greenhouse till all danger of frosts is over, and then planted out in the open 
border. 
O. Bowei will do very well in the open border in summer, but it does not blossom 
nearly so fine as when grown under glass. They should be potted in a mixture of 
light sandy loam and peat, and when repotted after the season of their torpidity, 
place them for a while in a stov^e or other place with a good heat, until they have 
begun to show their flower-buds, then gradually harden them until they will bear 
the open air. 
None of the greenhouse species require water when the leaves decay until they 
begin to grow again, and lessening the supply of water should take place imme- 
diately after the plants have done flowering. 
3. The stove species , as Plumieris,fruticosa , &c., will grow in the same kind of 
soil as that recommended for the greenhouse species. They require very little care 
and trouble, the bulbous kinds only requiring to receive every encouragement at 
the time of growth, and to be kept dry during the season of torpidity ; and the 
shrubby kinds to be treated as other shrubby plants of a similar habit. 
