Forum home› Talkback
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

oxalis

B3B3 Posts: 27,494
in Talkback

I have a problem with oxalis. . I don't want to use weedkiller or matting so I know I won't be able to eradicate it.  Can anyone offer advice on how to live with it?

The worst affected bed is covered in a fine mesh of roots just below the surface.  Is that the oxalis?

In London. Keen but lazy.
«1

Posts

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    Yes it is, it's very hard to get rid of but you have to pull as much of the roots as possible don't let it go to seed,get the parent plant out and the smaller ones are more easier but you have to keep doing it all year because it grows that way.I've always have it because I don't weed all the time. I just except that it will always be thereimage
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,494

    Is it ok to leave the network of fine roots on the soil or should I scrape them off ?

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,494

    Verdun I was wondering how you knew about my bluebell battles and realised you were having your own predictive text battlesimage

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,494

    Good planimage I think they're bulbules

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • happymarionhappymarion Posts: 4,591

    The bright yellow flowers on the small species with brown foliage was a giveaway for the ones in the Bristol Botanic Garden when I was a volunteer.  Never allow them to seed and dig the whole plant up, roots and all.  In flower they are very pretty.

  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    I quite like them but they don't seem to go mad here.

    Also why would you have bluebell battles? (bulblets/bulbules aside) Surely having too many bluebells is like having too many puppies....can't happen! image

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    I agree with happymarion, they have a kind of taproot as well as bulbils attached to those and any root left in the ground will regrow.  Carefully digging up each root is the only way you will control it and even then never completely.  The seed pods are of the 'explosive' variety and will shoot seeds many feet away so don't let it flower.  It loves cracks between paving etc so you can't get at the roots - in those cases weedkiller is your only hope.  Or learn to like it and realise that it will slowly take over your gardening world, pots, hanging baskets and all.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,494

    Spanish bluebells, PP. They took over and crossed with English one's so I'm trying to get rid of them  - some chance!

    Oh well, Bob, free groundcover thenimage

     

    In London. Keen but lazy.
Sign In or Register to comment.