The most amazing feature of Mimosa pudica is that it curls its leaves with a light touch. However, the plant is characterized by two types of movements. Like a number of other species of higher plants, mimosa pudica can gradually change leaf orientation over time (nyctinasty), and leaves can close under the influence of external stimuli (seismonasty), such as touch, warming, wind or shaking.
Mimosa pudica. © manuel m. v.
In 1729, the French astronomer de Meirin reported the daily movements of leaves in mimosa pudica (Mimosa pudica). These movements were repeated with a certain periodicity, even if the plants were placed in the dark, where there were no external stimuli such as light, which made it possible to assume the endogenous origin (geological processes associated with energy arising in the bowels of the Earth) of the biological rhythms to which the movements of the leaves were timed plants. De Meiren suggested that these rhythms may have something in common with the alternation of sleep and wakefulness in humans.
Alphonse Decandolle, a Swiss botanist and biogeographer, determined in 1832 that the period with which mimosa plants make these leaf movements is shorter than the length of the day and is approximately 22-23 hours.
Content:Description of mimosa bashful
Mimosa pudica is an evergreen ornamental shrub native to the subtropics of South America. The bashful mimosa gained its popularity due to its bizarre property of reacting to any touch, even a light wind. She immediately begins to fold her leaves. It seems that she is moving. In order to preserve its decorative properties, it is often grown as an annual crop. You should not touch the leaves often.
Mimosa bashful ( Mimosa pudica) is a perennial herbaceous plant 30-60 cm in height, less often up to 1.5 m, a species of plant from the genus Mimosa of the Legume family. The most famous type. Its bipinnate leaves are especially sensitive, folding and falling in the dark from the lightest touch and other irritating reasons. The fruit is a bean, 2-8 pieces in pods. The flowers are collected in small light pink or lilac axillary spherical heads at the ends of the branches. Pollinated by wind and insects.
The plant is poisonous, can cause poisoning in animals.
Mimosa pudica. © H Mimosa bashful at home
Despite the fact that mimosa, at first glance, seems so delicate, caring for it is actually simple. She loves warmth; the air temperature, from early spring to late autumn, should be between 20-24 °C. In winter, the temperature should be lowered to 16-18 °C. Loves bright light, even direct sunlight.
In spring and summer, watering should be abundant and regular. In winter, it is enough to keep the soil slightly moist. Its only peculiarity is that it cannot tolerate tobacco smoke at all and immediately sheds its leaves. Propagated by seeds.
Mimosa pudica seeds are sown in February-March in moist, loose soil without fertilizer, in a drained mixture of turf, leaf, peat soil and sand (1:1:1:1). The box is covered with film and placed in a warm place.
For uniform, proper growth, mimosa needs bright light; unlike many plants, it responds well to direct sunlight.
When the seedlings appear, they are transplanted into separate pots, which are then placed on a well-lit windowsill. Newly acquired plants or plants after a long cloudy period are accustomed to direct sun gradually to avoid sunburn.
Mimosa blooms in favorable conditions for about 4 months. In winter, mimosa most often dies. To repeat the joy of meeting an amazing plant next year, you can collect the seeds and also trim the tops of the shoots.
I must say that rooting cuttings is a big problem. Seedlings, as a rule, die after a year of life; in case of failure, the seeds should be sown again in the spring.
Replanting is usually not required; do not disturb the plant unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, replanting is not necessary for an annual crop. If replanting is necessary, it is best to transfer the plant into a larger pot without disturbing the earthen coma. For replanting, a substrate made of equal parts of turf soil, leaf humus, peat and sand is suitable. The bottom of the pot provides good drainage.
Mimosa pudica is affected by green apple aphids, which can be eliminated with the help of appropriate medications. Mealybugs are removed using a rag or cotton swab soaked in alcohol, followed by treatment with anticoccidal drugs.
Mimosa pudica bonsai. © Xavier de Lapeyre Why do the leaves of Mimosa pudica close?
When force, such as touch, is applied to mimosa leaves, the plant's leaf cells lose turgor pressure - the internal pressure of the cell. This occurs due to the release of chemicals, including potassium, which removes water from the cells. As soon as a leaf is deprived of water, it droops. This feature is also found in other plants of the Mimosa genus.
It is not known exactly why the bashful mimosa developed this property. Scientists suggest that it appeared to repel herbivores or insect pests.
We have our own “northern bashful mimosa” - this is wood sorrel common in the forests ( Oxalis), or hare cabbage. The amazing property of this plant is to fold its leaves under the influence of irritation (seismonasty). Oxalis folds its leaves in the evening (nyctinasty). Oxalis leaves curl when the sun's rays fall on them (photonasty). If the wood sorrel is placed in strong sunlight, it will fold its leaves before our eyes within 3-5 minutes. If you then put it in the shade, it will open its leaves, but not soon, but after 40-50 minutes.
I look forward to your feedback about this small, modest, but interesting flower.
- put the mimosa in hot water, after slightly kneading the stem;
- the water for the bouquet should be warm;
- change water daily;
- humidify the air in the room using a humidifier;
- Spray the flowers with cool water.
A cut bouquet of mimosa will last longer if you keep the flowers in warm water; I do not recommend using hot water. It is very important that the air in the room is especially humid. And it is for this reason that the air in the room is humidified by spraying it with water. This will have a positive effect on the bouquet. You don't have to change the water very often, but it's definitely necessary.
Mimosa is a great gift for Women's Day on March 8th, beautiful yellow flowers smell great and have a sunny yellow color, they will always cheer up any woman.
Mimosa lasts longer if the room is cool; you should not keep the bouquet near the radiator.
It is better to put mimosa in water. It is advisable to take water that has stood for some time, i.e. do not take fresh directly from the tap and should be at room temperature. Changing the water is also advisable; change it every two to three days.
My answer has matured, now time-tested. I decided to put the mimosa without water, the result was that it stopped smelling the same day, but the fluffiness of the flower balls remained to this day, 2 weeks later. I came to visit my friends and saw they also had a mimosa, but it was standing in the water, just as fluffy as it was on March 8th, also 2 weeks later, I forgot to ask about the smell. But there was a case, I don’t remember what year, when I put a mimosa in water, after a few minutes it crumbled, the balls lost their fluffiness. Now I have come to the conclusion after they told me what unscrupulous sellers do to make mimosa fluffy. They put it in hot water. So, I believe that this is the kind of mimosa that quickly crumbles when you put it in water. This type of mimosa can be identified when purchasing - it does not smell.
Do not rush to immediately put mimosa in water, especially if the tap water is cold - the delicate plant will be uncomfortable, which will immediately affect its fluffiness.
Ideally, water for mimosa should be prepared in advance. It should settle and be neither too cold nor too warm. The tips of the branches should be slightly kneaded before immersing in water.
Also, it is very important not to forget to change the water regularly - and then the mimosa will delight you with fresh, fluffy flowers for a long time.
It is better not to take water from the tap, but to pass it through a Barrier filter or some other filter so that the water is not too cold, and change the water at least once every two days, do not put it in a draft, then you will be left with a fresh, fluffy mimosa.
Mimosa will last longer if you regularly change the water in the vase. The water should be at room temperature, or better yet, warm, but not hot. If in the room. where mimosa has dry air, you can spray the flowers with an aerosol. Also, flower shops now sell a special solution to make flowers last longer.
And yet, unfortunately, cut mimosa branches do not live for more than 4-5 days, the smell slowly disappears, dissolves, and the fluffiness falls off, but the whole point is that this is a shrub, and they do not live long when cut, the only thing You can extend the life of mimosa - this is due to increased humidity when maintaining the house. And so, all that remains is to enjoy a couple of days and continue to live with the memories, especially since spring is coming, make way for spring!
They brought so many mimosas for the holidays, they sell them on every corner. They are transported by plane from the south. I asked the seller how they were transporting it, and he replied that it was in cardboard boxes with holes for air, then they kept all the goods in an unheated warehouse, periodically spraying them with water. It turns out that in hot weather, mimosa is stored less quickly and withers faster.
Of course, when purchasing, you need to find out whether the mimosa is live or boiled. You can tell the difference this way: fresh mimosa will have an aroma, but steamed mimosa will no longer smell. Next is fluffiness.
If you keep mimosa in water, it will live longer, but mimosa does not tolerate dry air at all. In order to keep the air in the room fluffy, it is advisable to spray it or buy a humidifier. Those. moisture, moisture and moisture.
Since the plant constantly secretes protective juices, it is very important to monitor the freshness of the water in the vase and change it as often as possible.
Have a spring mood and a mimosa aroma in your heart, girls!
Previously, it was grown mainly in greenhouses, but now mimosa has migrated to apartment window sills. It is difficult to find a more delicate and fragile flower than the bashful mimosa. Caring for her at home cannot be called easy. For growth and flowering you need to create favorable conditions.
Low shrub. In nature - up to one and a half meters, mimosa in a pot grows only 30-40 cm. The flowers are small, spherical in shape, delicate pink-lilac color. Flowering lasts up to 4 months (from June to September). The leaves are bipinnate, the stem is straight with a small number of spines. The entire plant is completely covered with light short hairs.
In the wild it is considered a perennial. As a houseplant, mimosa dies off by winter or simply loses its decorative effect. Therefore, it is grown as a beautiful annual. Pollinated by insects and wind. The fruit is a pod containing beans.
This is interesting! The mimosa's nickname comes from its ability to fold its leaves. It folds the leaves along the central vein and lowers them along the stem at the slightest touch. The same effect is observed from a draft. If within half an hour the irritant no longer bothers it, it opens its leaves again. She lives according to her own rhythm - she folds leaves every 22 hours, regardless of the time of day.
Rules of care
Caring for mimosa is complicated by the fact that the plant requires conditions close to a tropical microclimate.
- Lighting. With mimosa they work according to the principle - the more light, the better. Prefers plenty of light and sun. There is no need to shade - despite their tenderness, the leaves do not get sunburned. With a lack of light, it quickly stretches out and loses its decorative effect. It is recommended to avoid drafts, tobacco smoke, and fumes when cooking - frequent rolling of leaves depletes the plant.
- Temperature. From early spring to late autumn it prefers a stable temperature of 20-24°C. When grown as a perennial, keep it at 16-18°C in winter.
- Humidity. Maintain at 70%. Dry air is detrimental to a flower. High humidity levels are achieved using special air humidifiers and frequent spraying. A pot with a flower is placed on a tray with wet pebbles or bowls of water are placed next to it. In winter, a wet cloth is hung on the radiators, wetting it as it dries.
- Watering. To understand whether mimosa needs water, touch the top layer of soil. If it dries out, it indicates the need for watering. On average, at a temperature of 20-24°C, water at intervals of 2 days. Morning watering with soft water is recommended.
- The soil. The main requirement is loose, well-drained, breathable soil. A simple and successful option is a mixture of sand, turf and peat. Expanded clay or large pebbles are used as drainage.
- Feeding. Every 15 days during the growing season. Use any mineral complexes for flowering potted crops. The concentration is halved.
- Transfer. The flower is most often grown as an annual crop. Transplantation is performed in rare cases. For example, if a pot was initially used that was too small. When transplanting, they try not to disturb the integrity of the earthen coma.
Advice! Mimosa pudica seeds can be obtained from your plant. It is easily pollinated by transferring pollen from one flower to another with a brush or by gently touching the flowers to each other. After successful pollination, a pod will form with flattened black peas—the seeds of the plant. Store the seeds in a paper bag on the refrigerator door.
Reproduction
Mimosa propagation is practiced in only one way - growing from seeds. Fresh seeds have a high germination rate, young seedlings grow quickly. For the first time, seeds are purchased in a specialized store; in subsequent years, planting material from their own plants is used.
Sowing begins in March. The seeds are pre-soaked in warm water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The soil is watered with phytosporin or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. A box or separate small pots are used as a container for planting. The bottom is filled with expanded clay, soil is poured, and it is moistened. Seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm. There is no need to compact the soil!
The box or pots are wrapped in polyethylene. Keep at 25-30°C, periodically ventilating the greenhouse. Water by spraying water with a spray bottle. Seeds germinate in 3-4 weeks. The seedlings are moved closer to the light, but protected from the sun. Picking at the stage of 3 true leaves. Replant very carefully, trying not to damage the delicate roots of the mimosa. Grown flowers are gradually accustomed to the care regime for adult plants.
Interesting! It is considered possible to propagate mimosa from cuttings. This is a complex method with low efficiency. Out of 10 cuttings, only one can take root. This method has long been abandoned by both amateurs and professional flower growers. But you can experiment by trying to root the cuttings in water or peat. Using root stimulants will increase the chances of success.
Possible growing problems
Mimosa is a delicate and capricious flower. Problems often arise during cultivation. Most of them can be easily eliminated by adjusting care and maintenance.
| Problem | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling leaves | Reaction to smoke, draft, fumes. | Find a comfortable place for the flower. |
| Yellowish tint, lethargy, leaf drop | Lack of moisture in the soil or air. | Normalize the watering regime, spray the plant more often. |
| The leaves are constantly in a closed position | Excessive soil dampness, heat or cold in the room. | Check the condition of the soil. If it is too wet, limit watering for a while. Create favorable temperature conditions for the flower. |
| The stems are stretched | Lack of light. | If it is not possible to provide natural lighting, illumination with phytolamps is provided. |
| Mimosa doesn't bloom | The most likely cause is low air temperature below 16°C. | The flower is moved to a warm place and protected from cold drafts. |
Major pests
It is rarely affected by pests. The appearance of insects can quickly destroy a flower. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to periodically treat mimosa with small doses of Fitosporin and insecticides. At the same time, check neighboring indoor plants for pests.
| Name of the pest | How does it manifest | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphid | Small insects sucking juices from the tender leaves of a plant. They settle in colonies on the back of leaves and on the tops of shoots. The leaves become sticky, the tops curl, and stop growing. | Examine the plant. If there are not many aphids, treating the plant with a soap solution will help. In case of severe damage, the twisted branches are cut off and the flower is sprayed with preparations containing permethrin. |
| Spider mite | The appearance of light spots on the leaves, cobwebs on the back of the leaf. The plant is withering away. | Treat with a soap solution with the addition of alcohol. If this does not help, spray with insecticides. |
| Whitefly | Translucent scales appear on the lower surface of the leaf blade. The leaves are covered with a sticky shiny coating. The plant becomes discolored and withers. | Wash the plant with soapy water and spray with tobacco infusion. Among chemical preparations, Aktara helps well. |
Before you grow mimosa at home, think about whether you have enough time to care for it. This is a delicate flower that requires constant attention.
How to keep mimosa fluffy in a vase alive and fragrant for a long time - effective tips for extending flower life. And also ways to preserve flowers almost forever - proven means.Mimosa, also known as silver acacia, is one of the most beautiful and feminine plants - yellow fluffy balls have been loved by everyone since Soviet times, the flower smells divine, so it’s not surprising that everyone wants these balls to last longer. It should be noted that mimosas are very delicate and short-lived flowers; preserving them is much more difficult than roses. Usually 4 days, and the balls fall off.
Much depends on the sellers - if the mimosa is “boiled”, that is, it was dipped in hot water to make it fluffy, no matter how you store it, it will not last long and will crumble in 1-2 days. Boiled flowers have little or no scent at all - so tell your man to smell before buying.
- Place in mineral water and change frequently;
- Aspirin tablet in water - mimosa will last longer;
- Pour vodka or alcohol into water, 50-100 grams;
- Coniferous extract in water + 3 tablespoons of sugar;
- Aspirin + teaspoon of aloe juice;
- Spray flowers with water more often.
The main task is to speed up the circulation of juices inside the plant. If the branches are already drying out, make cuts and soak the ends. The water, if you did not add vodka or extracts, needs to be changed, since the plant quickly begins to rot. In addition, mimosa secretes protective enzymes that close the “wound”; if these substances are poured out with water more often, the plant lasts longer. These are ways to keep mimosa fluffy in a vase alive, but there is also an option to preserve the flower for several months or even a whole year. The recipe is simple - you just need to dry the flower correctly.
- Pour a little water into the vase;
- Let the mimosa “drink” it;
- Do not water again and place it away from the battery;
- Spray the flowers with hairspray from a distance.
Dried mimosa can last indefinitely, unless it is placed in a sunny window or near a radiator. It is also advisable to spray water around the plant from a spray bottle or place a wet cloth nearby. It shouldn't dry out. Now you know how to keep mimosa fluffy in a vase and how to dry it correctly.
Should mimosa be placed in water?
Should mimosa be placed in water so that it remains fluffy after purchase? It all depends on your future goals. If you want the bouquet to last as long as possible, you can dry it. This is also suitable for those who want to use the flower for herbarium or decoration.
To dry the plant from the cold, leave it in the packaging (film) for about an hour so that it gets used to room temperature. Then they follow the path of “boiled sellers”, that is, they put them in hot (50-60 degrees) water and let them sit for 1-2 days. After this, the water must be drained and the vase with mimosa should be placed in a dry place, but away from sunlight or electrical appliances. After drying, the flower lasts indefinitely.
If the mimosa is already “boiled” and does not smell, then you can no longer put it in water at all. It will dry and be pleasing to the eye for some time.
There is only one downside to this method - mimosa does not smell.
If the flower has not been “cooked”, and you want to preserve its aroma and natural beauty longer, then it is imperative to put it in water. Split the ends, use the above methods to preserve the beauty longer.
In principle, many advise not to try too hard to preserve mimosa in a vase - after all, it is beautiful because it comes once a year and creates such an amazing spring mood.
Mimosa pudica (impatiens) has delicate leaves that fold when you touch them, and small lilac-pink flowers collected in charming spherical inflorescences. Mimosa pudica grows well in a bright place, at room temperature and high humidity, with feeding 2 times a month during the active growing season; In winter, mimosa needs additional lighting. If you follow the rules of agricultural technology, the seeds of mimosa pudica can be sown all year round, but the most favorable period for sowing is from the third ten days of February to the first ten days of May. Mimosa pudica seeds are sown in light, well-drained soil, which is spilled with boiling water after sowing; The optimal temperature for germination of mimosa seeds is 20-25 degrees.
Mimosa pudica may dry out for the following reasons:
- Very dry air in the room. Never spray the particularly sensitive leaves of mimosa pudica! Frequently spray the air around the mimosa, place the mimosa pot on a stand (so that water does not flow into the drainage hole) in a wide tray with constantly evaporating water).
- The location of the mimosa is unfortunate - it is too hot. Protect the plant from direct sunlight: shade it on a hot day or move it to another bright window without direct sun).
- Insufficient watering, especially in the heat. Water the mimosa regularly when the soil dries out, preventing the earthen ball from drying out.
- Root rotting from excessive watering. In this case, remove the earthen lump from the pot, carefully shake the soil from the roots with a stick, cut off the rotten roots, sprinkle the cut areas with charcoal, plant the mimosa in fresh, damp soil (taking a smaller pot), build a mini-greenhouse over the mimosa for better rooting, water after the soil dries out).
- Leaf damage by pests - most likely spider mites. If pests are found, place the pot of mimosa in an intact plastic bag in the evening, fill the bag with tobacco smoke and tie the top. In the morning, do not forget to take the mimosa pot out of the bag and place it on a bright window.
