Rarely anyone realizes that mimosa is bashful - a relative of beans. This unfamiliar plant, justifying its name, rolls leaves when touched, closes pores and, according to experts, supposedly stops photosynthesis. However, having waited for danger, he again appears in its former graceful form. At sunset, as if laying down for the night, the flower again folds the leaves. Due to this unique feature in the homeland of the plant, it is very difficult to get rid of it like a weed.
Features of vegetation
Being a native of the tropics, the bashful mimosa is cultivated as a houseplant. It has a high growth rate and reaches 50 cm in 4 months. It blooms with unusual light lilac “ball” flowers. Knots fruits by selfing. They can not be eaten, as they are poisonous.
Shy mimosa lighting prefers bright, feels good in the sun. However, with the established heat it is better to obscure it in order to avoid burns.
Cultivation and care
The temperature for comfortable guest growth from the tropics is standard - + 20-24 degrees. In cold weather, a decrease to + 16-18 degrees is required. Given the area of growth, mimosa should be sprayed more often and kept in a pan in which moist moss is located. In summer, plentiful watering should be made, which in winter must be reduced.
Mimosa is bashful in terms of regular feeding, which is carried out every 2 weeks. After the plant has faded, due to the loss of decorativeness, it can be safely thrown away. It is unlikely that mimosa will survive the winter months. However, with many seeds gathered, next spring you can sow again. The land that should be prepared for this purpose should have a traditional composition: turf, peat, sand and leaf humus.
Landing
In order to activate the properties of seeds, they must be exposed to high temperatures before sowing, for example, in hot water. This procedure will take about 30 minutes. To deepen the seed material in a moistened substrate is 0.5 - 1 cm. Mimosa creates greenhouse conditions by covering the pot with a transparent film. The required temperature regime is + 25 degrees, lighting is bright, but not direct rays. Seedlings that have appeared should be planted no earlier than they reach a five-centimeter height. Planting density is 2-3 sprouts in each pot.
Joy to children
Exotic, unusual mimosa is bashful, the care of which does not take much time, will bring a lot of joy to children. They are ready to watch endlessly as a flower turns and lowers its green “limbs”.
Mimosa does not tolerate tobacco smoke
Spider mites and aphids pose a great threat to the appearance of plants. Using traditional processing methods will protect mimosa from this scourge. Excessive watering may result in yellowing and constant curling of the leaves. If the mimosa is bashful (the photo can be seen above) is in the smoky room, most likely, it will drop the leaves. The same will be the result with unsystematic watering. In order for the stems not to stretch up and flowers appear , the mimosa needs sufficient lighting.