I returned home form work at 7:30 tonight to find that someone had stolen my only pot of red leafed oxalis from a trade last year right off of my front porch. I believe it was a form of triangularis but had been identified to me as "Red Shamrock". It was growing side by side with my Atropupurea (sp?) and looks very similar to it but does not do the two-toned red leaves - just straight red.
It's hard to believe that a fellow plant lover would steal from me, especially since I am always dividing my plants and giving them away. What a world this has become. Now I am also worried about all of the other potted plants I have outside.
In any case, I'm hoping to find a Dave's member with some extra of this one to trade back to me. I am slowing trying to build an Oxalis collection and have Iron Cross as well as Oxalis tuberosum, but would also be interested in adding other Oxalis's to my beginner's collection. I have many things I could trade: Iron Cross oxalis, gooseberry plants, seedling (1 yr) lingonberry plants, goji cuttings, Illustrus (ee) pups, and more. Tell me what you might be looking for or make a suggestion. Also willing to do postage.
Thanks for listening.
Help: Someone stole my Oxalis
I am so sorry to hear that someone would do that to you guys! That is one thing that I don't have to worry about and have never thought of. Stealing a plant off of someone's property --- that's just shameful! Sure makes me love where I live even more now, down a quiet dirt road -- minimum traffic, not a lot of strangers just going by.
John,
Wish I had some oxalis to send you, will have to talk to my son and see if he has any 'Purple Shamrock' to share .. will let you know. When the pups are ready to send is there any way that you could add a gooseberry and ligonberry to the box please?
DebiV
My sympathy also. I live in the city and have had several plants actually dug up and stolen from my small front yard, and so have some of my neighbors. Your sentiments are mine exactly- it's hard to believe that a gardener/plant lover would actually steal someone else's plants! It is a sad statement on the state of at least part of humanity. (I also am always dividing and giving away plants. If the thief had asked, they may have gotten some when it was time to divide).
I can't imagine a fellow gardener doing that!
How horrible! I love gardeners, and admire all
they do to get growing what they have. I knocked
on a door once to ask for some giant blue morning
glory seeds I had never seen before. The elder woman
was so kind, and informed me others had asked before,
also, but that no one was able to germinate them.
too bad that was before I found DG- that has been years
ago- I wonder if they are still growing?
Yes- I would worry about your other plants as well, now.
Is this the one you are talking about?
X
I have never understood this. I have read this type of thing on DG before. One of the thieves was a neighbor and had the guts to have them on their front porch. That takes some real boldness to flaunt what you have done to the person you did it to.
I was at a local nursery once. The owner who had become a friend told me right before I got there a wealthy elderly woman of Baytown had loaded (with help from a worker) several hundreds of dollars worth of bushes into her car. She just drove away. What nerve. I can not understand as if anyone would ask I would give them some of what I have.
I am so sorry this happened to you. If I have anything you need please let me know and I will be glad to share.
I do know what goes around comes around. Maybe the pot will fill up with fire ants or even a bird drop a poison ivy seed into it and it over grows.
It is a weird thing I agree as I share a lot and have a neighbor who had the red banenas and almost all her plants came from me. She would always promise others the baby banana trees but when I ask she promised them to someone else. Most of the plants I gave her did not thrive as she neglected them. She just moved and I was able to get two of the banana trees I wanted from her.
Again Sorry.
Sandy ^8^
Thanks all for your sharing and sympathy. I guess this kind of thing is more common than I thought.
Ilove, it might just be that the elderly lady forgot to pay for them and never realized. I once walked out of a bookstore with a load of books under my arm without paying in a fog. I realized it immediately and returned to the store - nobody was mad - they said it happens from time to time and they recognize their loyal customers.
Xera, that looks like the one to me - the leaf color is solid, not two toned. Thanks for the pic.
Debi, I'll be in touch.
Thanks to all...
D-mail me your address and I'll send some to you.
X
I don't have oxalis, but I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that someone stole your plant. It's a crazy world. It looks like you are well on your way to getting a replacement though! If I had some oxalis, I would send you some... anyway, best of luck... and may they leave your plants alone! :) Amy
i'm really getting upset about these dang thieves. that is absolutely pitiful and makes me nervous too. glad you're gonna get replacements.
I know a local police officer and he said there is a gang of theives here that steal plants and yard decorations even concrete fountains, then they take it to this drug dealer for drugs and he has someone resell it at the local flea markets. Can you beleive the plants we buy at the flea markets could come from a Drug Dealer...now thats a sign things have gotten really crazy . MeganO
Megano24, wow, that takes the cake... drug dealers selling stolen plants at the flea market? What's next? I am all for finding cheap plants, but now I will have to stop and think about the source... thanks for the info..
Sign of the times .. thieves around here are not only taking your landscaping, they are taking apart air conditioners to get the copper out of it and destroying empty homes for sale to steal the copper wire, they take sledge hammers to walls to get at it.
People are desperate and will do anything to survive. Lately I've been putting a tiny cable tie around one of the larger roots of my rares in containers. Even if someone repots the plant they will probably overlook it.
X
I am so tired of drug users and drug dealers costing us so much. This one takes the cake we are buying back the same plant that might have been ours? Gosh what else.
I can't buy sudafed over the counter anymore. I must show my drivers license to purchase it. Funny (not) how we must show an id or drivers license to treat a sinus headache from the allergies we got from our plants we bought and then rebought from a drug dealer. I thought I had heard everything but this is sad.
Wow just thought I had heard it all. I don't know why things shock me anymore. I guess I am happy it does shock me or I would be one of them. I would have never thought our plants could supply someones addiction except the the addiction to plants. That I am proud to say is the only one I have and it doesn't hurt anyone.
I am happy you are getting another plant. I did not know oxalis grew in so many beautiful colors. Addicted to oxalis??.......I think I have to put it on my HAVE to have list. ;O)
Blessings,
Sandy ^8^
I had this happen a few years ago with a new bougainvillea I had just potted up--couldn't even tell what it was yet! I really hate that happened but I know what you're going through.
I have the weedy type of oxalis volunteering throughout my garden with the pale pink flowers--it is a weeding nightmare but that red of yours & X's is gorgeous! Might have to find me some of those for purchase, of course!
My red has an interesting history, it was given to me by my grandmother which was given to her by her grandmother. So this plant is the offspring of an unbroken line over a 100 years.
X
That's really cool that you know it's history like that:)
Thanks to all of you for help and comment. I believe I have now replaced the one I lost, plus have received another type of red oxalis that I had not known about. Your collective and individual help is most appreciated.
I guess I get depressed at times to see what a state the world has become. The confidence that americans had that we could solve all our problems and make a better world that was common during my younger years but now seems to have been replaced with a pervasive pessimism that things are getting worse and there is no way to fix it. I know I have started to withdraw a bit for just this reason. It does help to make me a better gardener, as that appears to be the direction my withdrawal is taking.
Be at peace.
In desperate times people do desperate things.
Theres always hope and a way for change and peace. I hope you dont let this make you bitter but able to reach out to help.
I have a lime green almost pinkish oxalis i could send you if you like. Got it from a nursery and its very pretty. LMK.
When I lived in East Lansing, MI I remember that one day the caretakers went into a greenhouse and found only the stump left of what had been a flourishing cacao tree ( think that's right - the one that cocaine comes from). Not a leaf was left.
And when I lived in Berkeley, Ca. about fifteen years ago, I walked out of my apt. one morning and there was a big hole next to the driveway where I'd had a large bush of a miniature rose. The thieves had not even bothered to fill the hole!!
Krowten, I'm glad you've gotten a replacement and a new plant as well.
katiebear
This is sad but all we can do is enjoy what we can control. And that is our love for our family, animals and gardens and friends. We may not be able to control what others do but we can control on how it changes us. Do we vent to our family here (yes anytime) but lets not let the bad in the world change the good in us.
I talked to a friend and nothing is beyond these ppl. They steal pets to sell. What ever can bring a dollar.
I know how you feel and am glad that you have found some replacement plants.
I live in a large city. In the last three years, we've had one plant dug up and a planter stolen from in front of our house. Just this week, we had aluminum fence posts stolen from our yard (we had taken down a fence and were going to recycle the posts). It happens. I refuse to live in fear though. It's heartbreaking but I try to let it go.
I don't think that the people who are stealing are doing it to survive though. I'll bet that they have things that I don't, such as cable TV and cell phones. They simply think they are inherently entitled to have whatever they want with minimal effort.
I dont remember reading here that krowten described who stole the plant.
Imagining "these ppl", "drug dealers", "elderly forgetful people" and all the rest are just a way of placing blame and letting your worst fears (most of them unfounded) fester.
We could all tell stories about a theft or wrong act and this thread could go on for years.
Before we start looking askance at each other, ask yourself how attached you were to this "stolen thing" and how important was this "thing" to you. Did it have an exaggerated importance? In other words if you had three days to live, how important would this plant be? Did this happen to shake me out of my complancency? Maybe I need to get out in my community and help someone.
I'd ask myself "What would Jesus do?"
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
—Luke 6:27-31. NIV
jadajoy, I do not know who stole the plant. My hurt was due to the surprise that someone who loves plants could steal one from another in this manner. I routinely give my plants away to anyone who will accept them as one of my joys is propagating them. The one stolen would have been big enough to divide next year, but now I start over. My fear is that it will happen again. I have hundreds of plants in pots as I rent and a substantial amount of money invested. Some things would be difficult to replace. I would survive their loss but that does not mean I would welcome it.
Unfortunately my position is a bit different from yours. If I developed a tumor that threatened my life, I would have surgery to remove it. When we permit "tumors" to thrive in our "body" eventually the accumulated damage will kill it. Turn the other cheek, yes, but evil does exist and we all should work for a better world as much as we can.
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"
My dad has some concrete geese in his yard. To keep people from stealing them, he ran a wire cable around their ankles and staked it deeply in the ground. You don't notice the cable unless you're right up on them and even then it doesn't stand out much.
When I told him about my planter walking away he suggested that I run a cable through the bottom of the planters, but I decided not to try that. Maybe you'd feel better doing something like that?
Of course if someone really wants to steal, they'll find a way. A few years ago in October my hubby wanted to decorate for Halloween and put a resin dragon out on our porch. I told him that it would walk away. So he used 4" screws and screwed it into the porch railing. It lasted about two weeks before we came home and found all 4 of the 4" screws laying on the porch railing and the dragon was gone. He stopped decorating. We roll with the punches but we aren't going to set ourselves up again. If we don't want to lose something, we protect it. But in my neighborhood, that's how we have to live. Hopefully your neighborhood is better. Maybe it was just a one-time-thing.
It helps to remember that for every thug out there, there are many honest people who would give the shirt off their backs if someone asked for it.
Thumbs up, krowten! I'd say amen to that last statement too, only some might find that offensive. And honest, ethical, and generally kind and thoughtful as I am, I am certainly not going to turn the other cheek and say "Come back and steal all of my plants." !
I think I am going to put up some video cameras that record to one of my computers. Technology is cheap these days and a looping system that only keeps a couple of days worth of pictures would reveal something like that.
What I didn't mention here is that a few days ago, someone dented the front fender of my car. This was on the sidewalk side of the car. I think one of the local kids ran into it with a bike, but of course no one saw anything and the kids don't know anything.
If I had 3 days to live I would spend it with the things I love the best.
I am all alone and most of the time after my husband passed away people here my friends (Not DGers) had not time for me because they were too busy. My son now lives in the life he chose away from me or I could call and let him around to steal more, call me names, and try to have me committed from lies he told. But I chose the beauty Jesus has blessed me in my yard. I have shared plants, flowers, anything I have because that is what I love to do. I love people and have much because of ppl here on DG who are the same.
I love to share myself and the love I have for ppl. If I had 3 days left I believe I would chose to spend that time in my yard looking at all I was blessed with. Looking at the butterflies, Hummingbirds, blooms and peace Jesus gave me and hopefully if not busy some of my friends will be here with me doing the same thing.
The way I see it is God is upset each time one of us is hurt. He doesn't begrudge us the beautiful things he created and the Bible says he collects our every tear. I believe when someone wrongs his children he is moved by out hurt. All that I have he has given me and whom ever steals it has stolen from him and they will be punished. But it doesn't mean we don't feel violated and angry.
All of my stuff I have come by honestly and through Jesus and that is what I expect others to do and it does appall me when I am stolen from. I would share anything I have and have not met anyone on here (DG) who would not. But to be stolen from Jesus has declared wrong. Thou shalt not steal. I will turn my other cheek but will still be looking over my shoulder to keep it from happening again.
I am heppy you got it back and very sorry it was stolen. Very sorry for all whom were stolen from.
I was actually thinking of doing that too, when someone or more than someone was stealing and dismembering my plants on a regular basis, but being somewhat of technophobe, although I tried to research what equipment to get, I couldn't get it together to decide on what to get.
PS. my last reply was a response to krowten before inbetween post was sent.
Considering the damage to your car, a camera sounds like a pretty good idea. If nothing else, it'll give you peace of mind. And possible evidence.
Krowten
Hi
I just wanted to let you know that I was not criticizing you on your loss. I am in complete sympathy with being the victim of a crime. This summer someone trampled my fence line where I had planted some special lilys sent to me from a DG'er that are now all gone.
I know exactly how you feel. My point was to the posters who had started conjuring up images of "the bad guys" and how this leads to unfounded fears. While I was very upset when it happened to me I would not start blaming innocent people without proof. Thats why i posted the scripture, to remind folks that only forgiveness gives peace. Blaming and witch hunts only lead to more hatred and then that is when "evil" does triumph.
I dont know what you meant by the "tumors in the body". I dont have experience with this, but I was not intending for folks to 'let" themselves be victimized, (that is not what turning the other cheek means) it is always wise to take precautions against theft.
As honest and giving as you are ( as am I, and a lot of the folks here) I just think we need to maintain that giving spirit and use it in our neighborhoods and those we come in contact with, for it is contagious, and in this small way keep evil at bay. Its easy to be nice when we are not challenged. I think these small losses are tests of our ability to be honest and giving in the face of adversity or evil.
Sorry if I stepped on anyones toes.
jadajoy, No offense taken or toes stepped on. Really, I enjoyed the posts and the discussion that resulted.
"tumors in the body" was meant to allude to evil people in our world. I was trying to say that evil does exist and exists in the form of people that will never turn a cheek or become someone who should be tolerated in our culture. Don't misinterpret me. People can and do change, and some of those cases are truly amazing. But for every thief that eventually becomes a saint, there are probably 100 thieves that turn to violence or murder. I am a pretty liberal person, but I have no tolerance for those who use violence to prey on the weak or elderly, especially since I am rapidly approaching membership in both those groups. Our society should send a loud and clear message about that.
I would love to know more about your green oxalis. Does it have tubers?
Thanks for your responses, offer and posts.
Krowton (and anyone else),
I install container gardens in public places, like resturants. I always secure the potted plants with wire, bolts or whatever will keep them from being easily removed.
For large potted plants sitting on the ground-buy a piece of thin rebar about 3', bend one end of it, into an L shape. If possible drill a new oversize hole in the bottom of the container. Carefully pound the rebar into the soil.
For small or large containers that are sitting on the steps or porch-buy some thick wire, thick enough that is has to be cut with wire cutters. Place the wire tightly around the container (or thru the drain hole) making a loop. Wire the loops together.
Landscape Block Adhesive is a product that stays soft and with gentle prying you can remove the container in the future. There is some work involve to remove the adhesive from the steps or bottom of the pot, but it can be done. Don't use construction adhesive.
I think you get the idea...
As Hare Krishna devotees, we believe that everything belongs to God. The best use of God's property is in God's service.
Go outside and either loudly or softely, dedicate or recognize your property and everything in it as God's property.
Anyone that steals God's property has to take birth as a worm in stool! (A raccoon also comes with a robbers' mask.)
I'm a caretaker of a nice variety of one of Krishna's purple oxalis with the pink triangle in the center. Send me your snail mail address and I'll send you a start.
Krishna says, "The demonic don't know what is to be done, and what is not to be done."
I feel for your loss. Plant people are 'adoptive parents' with similar (but different) responsibilities as child and animal raisers.
Thank you for your offer. Can you post a pic?