In Russia, the mimosa flower is associated with International Women's Day. Men congratulate ladies with bouquets of small yellow flowers. Among the species of mimosa there are shrubs and trees with graceful flowers. One of the varieties of an amazing plant is bashful mimosa, which is grown at home. The variety has individual characteristics.
Mimosa is bashful - what kind of flower is it, to which family belongs
Bashful mimosa belongs to the legume family. A perennial herb grows from 30 to 70 cm in height in the wild. Many people ask: is it a tree or a bush? Of course the bush. Indoor mimosas are fluffy balls of lilac color on long shoots. At the base of the petioles, water membranes are located, and on the leaves are sensory areas that respond to pressure. A houseplant is considered a decorative and deciduous species. Homeland -tropical regions of Brazil.
Mimosa bashful
Brief Description, Origin History
The world of flowering plants is rich in interesting and sometimes funny names. Mimosa bashful received her nickname for an unusual feature. The plant has particularly sensitive leaves, similar to ferns. With the onset of the evening, when touched and by any mechanical action, the leaves fold very quickly.
Note! Indoor mimosa touchy has the ability to remember the features of each touch or impact. If the contact is not dangerous, then timid mimosa will not curl the leaves.
Growing from seeds at home
At home, shy mimosa is grown by seed. Sowing is recommended in late February or early March. Before planting, you should prepare seeds that have a fairly hard shell. For faster germination, it is recommended to stratify, or rub the shell of the seed with sandpaper. Soil needs to be saturated with nutrients. The seed material is laid in the soil, which is poured into the prepared container. The health of the plant and the duration of flowering depend on the proper care of the crops.
How to care for the touchy at home
Proper care at home for a shy mimosa includes the creation of the necessary conditions for full growth and plentiful long flowering. It is important to water, feed with fertilizers in a timely manner, as well as transplant and trim.
Illumination and temperature
Elegant mimosa pudica comes from the tropics, therefore favors sunlight. Even the scorching rays of the sun do not negatively affect the shy. It is advisable to place flower mimosa in a pot on the windowsill on the east side. And the best option would be a pedestal near the window to the south side. To accustom room bright mimosa to bright sunlight gradually.
The vegetative period lasts from March to October. The optimum room temperature should be from +20 to +24 ℃. In the winter period of rest, the temperature must be reduced to 17-18 ℃ above zero. Regular airing of the room where a modest beauty grows is welcome.
Mimosa care should be regular
Watering rules and humidity
During the growing season, shy mimosa requires frequent timely watering. An important rule is to maintain the optimum amount of moisture in the pots. No need to fill the plants. During the flowering of lilac-pink mimosa, watering is carried out every other day. Water settles in advance during the day. Room humidity should not be less than 70%. You can increase it by conventional spraying of air. It is not recommended to spray water on the leaves of the flower.
Top dressing and soil quality
There are no special requirements for the composition of the soil in a shy flower. When planting and transplanting, the soil should be well fertilized. Then, approximately 2 times a month should be fed with liquid mineral preparations. In winter, during rest, feeding should be minimized.
Additional Information! The most suitable soil composition for growing mimosa is a mixture of garden soil, peat and sand in equal proportions.
Flower Tank Size
In order to transplant or plant a flower, it is important to choose the right size of the pot or other used container. The size of the pot for sowing seeds should not exceed 15 cm in diameter. During the growth and development of the plant every 3-4 years, the capacity increases in diameter by 3-4 cm.
Pruning and transplanting
So that the plant does not stretch up, it is recommended to pinch the top. This will help the new sprouts. Pruning is best done after flowering. Remove dried buds and dry leaves.
Transplantation as an element of care
Shy homemade mimosa is grown as an annual, and does not require a transplant. This process is carried out in two cases:
- if the plant is sick, you need to change the substrate and check the roots for rot;
- they want to leave roomy modest for the winter, and grow as a perennial.
Transplant the flower by transshipment. To do this, take a new larger pot, and the plant along with a lump of soil must be planted there. Previously, a layer of pebbles or broken brick is laid out on the bottom.
Features of flowering plants
Long flowering. Flowers do not emit a strong aroma; a large number of flowers can smell. Plant cultivation is carried out in the climate of Russia on personal plots, at home on window sills, on balconies and terraces.
Period of activity and rest
The legume plant is distinguished by the duration of flowering. Starting from spring and ending with the time of the first frosts, mimosa will delight with lush, abundant flowering. The life span of each flower from pinkish-lilac spherical inflorescences is about three days. After the petals fall, a new bud begins to bloom very soon.
Important! Wild mimosa is pollinated by insects and wind.
Types and shape of flowers
Perennial when grown at home as an annual. In addition to the bashful mimosa of a lilac or purple hue, the following species are popular among gardeners:
- Mimosa is lazy. The bush may look small. Has fluffy white inflorescences.
- The mimosa is rough. Decorates the room with yellow or white spherical flowers.
All species are sensitive to touch.
Flower propagation methods
Reproduction of pink mimosa occurs by seeds and cuttings. Each of the methods has its own advantages.
Bashful mimosa seeds
Propagation by cuttings
This method is almost never used by gardeners to breed plants. This is explained by the fact that the cuttings poorly take root in the soil after planting. But the plant gives seeds well, and every fall a sufficient amount can be collected from adult mimosa.
Seed propagation
The method is used most often by cuttings. A step-by-step seed propagation method includes:
- Before laying the seeds in the prepared nutrient soil, it is advisable to soak them for about 2 days in warm water.
- In the prepared container, pour the nutrient mixture, then plant the seeds.
- From above, the crops are covered with cling film and glass. This will speed up the sizing of the seeds.
- Pots or boxes with crops should be in a well-lit place.
- Water the crops with water only at room temperature as needed.
Growing problems, diseases and pests
Like all indoor crops, mimosas are susceptible to diseases or pests. If you do not follow the rules of care, the flower may become sick. Spider mites and aphids can harm shy undercuts. They are visible during a visual inspection of the bush.
Note! From a lack of water, the leaves can begin to dry and fall off.
Mimosa Impatiens in a pot
How to deal with them
Plants need proper care. From compliance with the rules of irrigation, feeding, depends on the resistance of mimosa to diseases and pests. During preventive examinations, the identified infected areas should be removed, and then the plants should be treated with insecticides.
Growing a beautiful and magnificent shy mimosa is not so difficult if you follow the necessary rules. You should not specifically touch the flower for the sake of interest, because his strength will quickly be depleted.
