The bashful mimosa received such an unusual name due to its extraordinary behavior. When its leaves are touched, they fold. This climbing tropical plant is a common weed, but its exoticism prompts many people to have a flower in their homes. Seeds of mimosa-bashful can be ordered by mail, and with proper care, an original houseplant will grow from them.
How to grow bashful mimosa from seeds
Soak mimosa seeds in a container of warm tap water and leave for one day. Then the seedlings will appear faster from the seeds. It is better to leave the seeds on a hot battery so that the heat is retained throughout the soaking time. Instead of warm tap water, you can mix parts of cold and hot boiled water.
Bury the soaked seeds in a flower pot, in a plastic or cardboard glass with soil to a depth of no more than 0.3 cm. It is important that the soil is purchased from a special store, and not taken from the street. Otherwise, it can become infected and the plant can get sick. Cover the container with a plastic lid or plastic wrap. But the coating should be removed as soon as the first leaves appear. When the seedlings emerge, remove the greenhouse cover and place the plant in a well-lit and warm place. When planted, 13 out of 25 seeds usually emerge.
Further care tips
When growing bashful mimosa, make sure that the ground is not too dry or too wet. The plant loves moderate watering.
At temperatures between 21 and 32 ° C, the tropical plant emerges very quickly, in less than 7 days. But at lower temperatures, the germination time can be up to 30 days.
When covering the flowerpot with plastic, do not place it in direct sunlight. At night, the plant sleeps with folded leaves. Mimosa-bashful blooms with delicate pink, dandelion-like flowers. These flowers are rich in seeds.
It is better to water the plant with spring, distilled or rain water. Plants can be sensitive to tap water and the chemicals it contains, such as chlorine.
You can build a special greenhouse for young plant sprouts. It can be made from a children's toy box or any other packaging. Look for a box that is made of cardboard and clear plastic. These materials retain heat well, and transparent plastic transmits sunlight like glass. In such a greenhouse, you can cut holes for ventilation on the sides of the box. If additional lighting is required, an energy-saving lamp can be mounted on top, which, in addition to light, will give off heat.
The first leaves of shy mimosa do not respond to touch. You need to wait for the bindweed to grow before you can observe this interesting phenomenon.
