Mimosa (indoor flower) has nothing to do with a plant whose branches are traditionally given to women by March 8th. This herbaceous perennial with delicate lilac flowers belongs to the legume family. Its leaves have a unique property - they respond to touch, folding and falling. Mimosa flowers (Mimosa pudica) are decorative, growing them at home, you can fully enjoy their beauty. This plant is unpretentious, and its features will allow you to watch it with unflagging interest.
Bashful mimosa
The flower, a photo of which you can see in this article, has long been in the center of attention of many who are interested in botany. As early as the beginning of the eighteenth century, observations of the daily movements of the bicinosus leaves of this plant made researchers think that they are endogenous. After all, the movement took place even in complete darkness. Some scholars suggest that the rhythms responsible for them are similar to a person’s changing periods of sleep and wakefulness.
The spherical lilac flowers of mimosa are very pretty, and the plant itself is quite toxic. This must be considered when growing. It is pollinated with the help of both wind and insects. This bizarre plant is evergreen. In nature, it grows in some countries of Latin America. The leaves are folded, not only obeying the daily cycle, but also in response to touch or breath. Watching this is fun. But you should not abuse leaf touches. Mimosa flowers become especially beautiful and neat if the plant is grown as an annual culture.
Plant care
The bashful mimosa loves heat, and if you maintain the temperature within 20-24 degrees Celsius, then she will feel excellent. In winter, it should be reduced by 4-6 degrees. Bright light is very useful for mimosa - it is not afraid even of direct sunlight. Water it regularly and abundantly enough from spring to autumn, but in winter only moisten the soil a little. The listed conditions will be enough for mimosa flowers to bloom and delight you with their beauty. Another important detail: this plant is extremely sensitive to toxic tobacco smoke. If someone smokes in the room, the mimosa will immediately drop the foliage.
Seed propagation
Plant seed in boxes filled with a mixture of equal parts of sand, peat, turf and leafy soil around the end of February. Pre-moisten the soil. Fertilizer should not be added. Cover the box with foil, place in a warm and well-lit place. The emerged seedlings should be transplanted into separate small containers, adding drainage to each of them, and put on the most lit window sill. Mimosa flowers will delight you for about four months a year. In winter, the plant, unfortunately, most often dies. You can collect the seeds and plant the mimosa again next year. You can also trim the tops of the shoots and try to root the cuttings. But this is quite complicated. Seedlings are likely to die. Mimosa does not need to be transplanted.