Where and how mimosa grows: a short excursion for the curious

Shy mimosa is not the most popular houseplant. It is mainly bred by lovers of exotic flowers. Its low popularity is due to the fact that it does not tolerate winter well and often dies. Therefore, in the spring it is necessary to grow a new plant from seeds. Next, we will talk about caring for a bashful mimosa at home.

Historical facts

The most suitable climatic conditions for the shrub are the scorching sun of the southeast coast. Australia is his real homeland. The climatic conditions of this country contribute to the incredible growth of the yellow nursery - the mimosa growing there reaches a height of 45 meters. Its second name - silver acacia - the shrub received for the gray tint of the bark and leaves.

The first shrubs grew on the island of Tasmania. And from there the inflorescence began its journey around the world. At first, these were the countries adjacent to the island of Tasmania and the Mediterranean islands, Madagascar and the West of the United States. But gradually the growing zone expanded, occupying more and more territories.

Possible troubles, pests and diseases of mimosa

In case of lack of care, the following problems may arise:

Growing mimosa in Russia

A completely natural question arises: and where are yellow flowers grown in Russia? Indeed, a large number of them in the spring and an acceptable cost indicate that the inflorescence did not make a long journey from Australia itself. The history of growing this flower in Russia dates back to the 19th century. The sun-loving plant has taken root well along the entire Black Sea coast. It is successfully grown in Abkhazia, Sochi, in the Caucasus. However, the climate in these zones is different from the Mediterranean, and the plant grows only up to 12 meters.

Growing problems

When growing mimosa, there may be some problems associated with inaccuracies in care:

• If the leaves of the plant begin to fall off, then this may be due to irregular watering.
• Yellowing of the leaves indicates waterlogging of the earthen coma. In addition to yellowing, unopened leaves with the onset of the day also speak of excessive watering.
• With a lack of light, the shoots stretch out, lose their elasticity.
• In low light and low temperatures, the bashful mimosa may not bloom.

Ornamental plant or weeds?

Video: Mimosa bashful growing from seeds

In the Caucasus, the first shrubs with bright yellow flowering adorned city parks and alleys. But over time, the imported southern tree grew almost throughout the Caucasus and Sochi. Mimosa "liked" the climate of the Black Sea coast so much that it literally occupied the local territories. In some cases, residents of the southern coast are forced to weed out bushes like weeds.

A small tree with beautiful yellow inflorescences has become so common that southerners consider it commonplace, forgetting that the plant has come a long way before sowing the lands of Russia. But northern residents cannot get enough of spring, looking at the beauty of a delicate spring flower. They are still able to appreciate the unearthly beauty of the "overseas" inflorescence.

Can I grow it myself

The plant can be grown independently in a pot at home or in a garden plot, if climatic conditions permit.

A tree is grown from seeds or cuttings. A small tree grows at home, which is usually planted in January. Homemade mimosa blooms 2-3 years after rooting, subject to at least 60% humidity and + 25 ° C. Such conditions are considered comfortable for growth and development.

On the garden plot, seedlings purchased from nurseries or botanical gardens are planted. The tree can only grow in a warm and humid climate, so you should not try to get mimosa for a summer cottage in a region with severe and snowy winters.

Mimosa is real

According to scientists, the mimosa flower is not at all the plant that we are used to seeing on the shelves of flower shops in the spring or on the streets of the southern coast. Mimosa is a small flower up to 60 cm in height with pinkish rounded inflorescences. So what color does this miracle bloom? In fact, the pink inflorescence is one of the varieties of the thermophilic shrub that is found only in South America. The bloom is so fragile and airy in appearance, it seems that it can burst like a ball from a light breath of the breeze. The name of the flower comes from the Greek word "mimos", which means "actor, acting". The Greeks called this mimosa for the sensitivity of the leaves, which react even to the slightest touch, curling up into a tube.

Pests

Shy mimosa is affected by the following pests:

• Spider mite. It can be detected by small white dots on the leaves. Also, the leaves are covered with a thin cobweb, barely visible to the eye. The spider mite sucks out the sap of the plants, and the leaves of the mimosa begin to fall off. If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, the plant may die. It is necessary to carry out treatment with acaricides: Actellik, Omite. When carrying out processing, you must follow the instructions. If necessary, the treatment is repeated after a week.
• Aphid. Small green insects are easy to spot on the petioles, in the leaf axils. To destroy them, the plant is treated with insecticides: Fitoverm and others of this class. These drugs are classified as low toxicity drugs (fourth class). They can be used in residential premises, strictly following the instructions.

Breeding method of bashful mimosa at home

A lot of light, water and heat - that's all the yellow beauty needs. In the presence of all the components, the branches of the bush in early spring are covered with fragrant yellow flowers. Mimosa flowers consist of small balls-stamens, collected in inflorescences and resembling a fan. For the successful cultivation of this ornamental shrub, you should remember which country it comes from.And create similar conditions for him. The plant is adapted to a tropical climate, which means that hot air and humidity in a greenhouse are suitable for growing. The flowers are grown both for sale and for home decoration. The plant is not adapted to the harsh climate of central and northern Russia, and therefore it is not recommended to plant it in open ground in these parts. The most optimal temperature for growing this southern acacia should be as close as possible to the tropical climate and be at least 20 degrees in the spring and summer seasons. In winter, for mimosa, like for many other plants, a dormant period begins. The temperature at this time should be slightly lower - 18 degrees.

Video: Master class. DIY flower

Leaves are actively involved in plant photosynthesis. Therefore, during the growth period, they need daily spraying with water. You should carefully monitor the state of the soil in the pot in which the ornamental plant is planted. Water the bush with warm, settled water as needed, when the top layer of the earth becomes dry. The root system is poorly adapted to both drought and excess moisture.

A one-year-old mimosa flower does not need an additional transplant. The plant should be transplanted into a larger pot in the second year. The roots of a young bush are very sensitive, and therefore you should be extremely careful when transplanting.

The soil of the tropical forests of the Mediterranean is characterized by an excess of humus. Therefore, for the cultivation of this representative of "legumes", a similar soil is selected. And so that the roots have access to oxygen, high-quality drainage is poured into the bottom of the pot. A layer of expanded clay, broken bricks or pebbles serve as excellent ventilation for the roots and help remove excess moisture from the soil.

In spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing, it is necessary to fertilize the soil every two weeks. Universal microelements and mineral supplements are used as feeding. In winter, when the mimosa flower slows down its growth, entering a state of dormancy, it is not necessary to fertilize it.

Transport and storage

Only twigs with closed buds are transported, otherwise they will not reach their destination. Before transportation, the twigs are cooled and packed in a special film and cardboard boxes.

Subject to all the rules of transportation, mimosa can be transported for no more than 48 hours. After that, it will need water and will begin to dry out. If it is impossible to comply with these rules of transportation, 24 hours are given for it. That is why mimosa is not taken to areas remote from the Black Sea.

Before being sold, the twigs are stored without water in the cold so that they do not deteriorate and do not open ahead of time. You can sell them on the street, they are saturated with moisture from the melted snow, and the low air temperature will not allow the buds to open.

Feature and Description

Despite the fact that this thermophilic beauty found a second homeland on the Black Sea coast, she retained her sensitivity to external factors. The plant does not tolerate drafts, aridity, tobacco smoke. All these influences have a detrimental effect on it, it not only blooms badly, but can also die. Dry air leads to yellowing, drying and falling leaves. Similarly, the plant reacts to drafts or smoke from cigarettes. The bush begins to ache and recovers very slowly. Therefore, it is better to protect it from unwanted irritants.

To grow this flower at home, use its seeds. Before planting in the ground, specially selected seeds are poured with warm water for twenty minutes, after which they are planted in a container. The soil should be loose and nutritious. The following proportions are used as fertilizer: one part of peat, two parts of clay-sod and one part of deciduous land, and necessarily 0.5 parts of sand.Seeds are planted in prepared soil, not deeply deepening them. After planting, the container is covered with transparent film or glass and placed in a warm place (about 20 degrees).

The period of penetration of the first seedlings is from four days to several weeks. It is important not to forget all this time to monitor the condition of the soil, watering the ground as needed. Seedlings are planted in separate pots after two leaves are formed on each shoot. A sunny place and timely watering contribute to the intensive growth of seedlings. Also, do not forget about daily spraying of the leaves with water at room temperature, especially in the summer.

Beneficial features

The mimosa plant is considered an ornamental crop, but it also has a number of medicinal properties. For medicinal purposes, the leaves, bark, roots and gum of the bush are used. Raw materials from different parts of the culture are able to disinfect, accelerate wound healing and have an astringent effect, therefore it used to treat:

• 
  severe hemorrhoidal bleeding;

• wounds, cuts, ulcers and cracks;
• snake bites (as an antidote);
• sore throats;
• high temperature;
• dysentery;
• toothache;
• intestinal inflammation;
• stomach ulcers and gastritis.

In addition, an essential oil is made from mimosa flowers, which is used in the production of perfumes and for cosmetic purposes. It helps to accelerate collagen production, which makes the skin firmer and more elastic. Especially effective means based on it are considered when caring for oily and aging skin.

When describing the properties of the oil, it is also worth mentioning that it has a calming effect on the body, relieves insomnia, anxiety, and mood swings. This substance also affects the genitourinary system, adjusting the menstrual cycle and alleviating the condition with menopause. For men, the oil acts as an effective aphrodisiac.

Transplant and pollination

Since the root system of the bashful mimosa is very fragile, transplanting is carried out only if necessary, by the transshipment method. At the same time, drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot, and the soil is made up of ingredients such as sod land, peat and leaf land, taken in equal quantities. For the looseness of the substrate, perlite is also added to it (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Transplanting is carried out by the transshipment method, moving the plant into a new pot together with an earthen ball

To pollinate indoor mimosa, it is enough to transfer pollen from one flower to another with a brush, or gently rub them together, shaking slightly to shed the pollen. If everything is done correctly, then over time the flower begins to fall, and the stem thickens, forming a pod fruit, inside which from 2 to 10 beans ripen. After flowering is complete, you can use the resulting seeds to grow a young plant.

Remember

Sometimes growers make mistakes in grooming that adversely affect the appearance of plants. Based on certain symptoms that appear in the appearance of the plant, you can correct the situation:

1. The foliage began to curl - most likely, the air in the room is dirty. The room should be ventilated more often, tobacco smoke and toxic odors should be excluded.
2. The leaves are withered, the plant looks lethargic - the first signs of insufficient watering.
3. Leaves remain closed with the onset of daylight - it may be cold in the room, the plant needs more heat.
4. The stems began to stretch ugly and turn pale - this comes from a lack of light. The plant should be moved to a brighter place or additional artificial lighting should be included.

Mimosa is popular and loved in all countries. In France and Montenegro, annual festivals are held in honor of this beautiful spring flower.

Care rules

Caring for mimosa is complicated by the fact that the plant needs conditions close to the tropical microclimate.

• Lighting. They work with mimosa according to the principle - the more light, the better. Prefers an abundance of light and sun. There is no need to shade - despite the tenderness, the leaves do not get sunburn. With a lack of light, it quickly stretches and loses its decorative effect. It is recommended to avoid drafts, tobacco smoke, and cooking fumes - frequent folding of leaves depletes the plant.
• Temperature. From early spring to late autumn, it prefers a stable mode of 20-24 ° C. When grown as a perennial in winter, kept at 16-18 ° C.
• Humidity. Maintain at 70%. Dry air is destructive for a flower. High humidity values ​​are achieved by 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 batteries, wetting it as it dries.
• Watering. To understand whether mimosa needs water, touch the top layer of the soil. Its drying indicates the need for watering. On average, at a temperature of 20-24 ° C, watered at intervals of 2 days. Recommended morning watering with soft water.
• The soil. The main requirement is loose, well-drained, breathable soils. A simple and successful option is a mixture of sand, turf and peat. Expanded clay or large pebbles are used as drainage.
• Top dressing. Every 15 days during the growing season. Use any mineral complexes for flowering potted crops. The concentration is halved.
• Transfer. The flower is more often grown as an annual crop. The transplant is carried out in rare cases. For example, if the pot was too small initially. When transplanting, they try not to violate the integrity of the earthen coma.

Advice! Shy mimosa 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 flowers to each other. After successful pollination, a pod with flattened black peas - the seeds of the plant - will be tied. Store the seeds in a paper bag on the refrigerator door.

Name

Although the people have already firmly taken root the name of this perennial flowering plant - mimosa, but its biological name is Silver acacia or Acacia dealbata... Its other name is Australian acacia, according to its natural habitat.

Acacia dealbata

This shrub in many countries is a symbol that winter is ending and spring is coming. And in some countries, holidays are even held in honor of this shrub.

Pseudomimosis

Several plants growing on the territory of Russia are also called mimosas for their external resemblance. Although, formally, they do not belong to the Mimosa genus:

Acacia dealbata

Silver acacia, imported from Australia in the 18th century, is popular not only in our country, but also in Europe. Its cultivars adorn the south of Italy and Great Britain, and in France, during the flowering period, a real festival is dedicated to it, which lasts for two weeks.

During the festival, many artists come, colorful music shows, theatrical performances and beauty contests are held, and in the final part of the festival dedicated to the mimosa flower, a parade is held.

The Mediterranean spring comes earlier than the calendar one, so Europeans give acacia flowers to their loved ones on February 14, Valentine's Day, and here you can see mimosa twigs everywhere on International Women's Day.

During transportation, flowers often deteriorate and wither quickly.

• Wrap in newspaper and put in very hot water;
• Cut off the tips of the branches and crush them;
• Remove the bottom leaves;
• Spray periodically with cold water.

If the flowers are curled up, you can hold them over the steam, then they will open again.

The acacia tree in nature reaches an average of 15-20 meters, with a lifespan of about 30 years. It has useful properties in the form of valuable wood for the manufacture of furniture and accessories, but it is mainly grown for decorative purposes. The leaves of the plant have a silvery, gray tint, which is why it got its name. The flowers exude a pleasant aroma. Acacia makes excellent honey.

Three centuries ago, silver acacia began to be cultivated as a tub, annual plant. In summer, the tree feels good in direct sunlight. In winter, it is necessary to transfer the acacia to a relatively warm room, greenhouse or greenhouse, with a temperature range of + 10 ° C to + 15 ° C.

Reproduces:

• In summer - semi-lignified cuttings;
• In the spring - by seeds.

Flowering lasts from late January to mid-April. At the end of summer, the fruit grows on the tree in the form of beans, their seeds can be used to plant flowers next year.

It is best to land in March, in early April. First, the seeds must be soaked in warm water and left for 2 days. You can plant several seeds in one small pot. The soil should be acidic or neutral. After the first leaves appear, the plant must be dived.

Silver acacia loves moisture and, perhaps, the most difficult thing is to organize optimal watering, on the one hand, preventing it from drying out, on the other hand, do not overdo it with water, since excessive moisture is also harmful to the plant, especially in the cold period.

It must be remembered that:

• Once every two weeks, the tree needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers;
• Spray from pests periodically.

Like any flowering plant, silver acacia is not recommended for people with allergic reactions to pollen.

Other homemade varieties

In addition to the bashful mimosa, two more types can be grown at home:

1. Lazy mimosa, which is an unusually beautiful ornamental shrub. It is relatively small in size - about half a meter, and its stems are straight or branched. Its leaves are extremely sensitive, so it is interesting to touch it. It has white flowers, they also gather in the balls of inflorescences.

2. Rough mimosa is rarely found in Russia, since the place where mimosa of this species grows is South America in the tropical zone. In height, it can reach 20 meters, and its flowers are also white. They gather in large panicles.

Main types

Shy or Mimosa pudica L

Prefers wet places and thickets.The main habitats are the lowlands in the Antilles and the territory of Brazil. The appearance corresponds to evergreens, semi-shrubs or shrubs with straight shoots up to one meter high. The presence of spines and pubescence is characteristic.

Small flowers are collected in heads at the top of the shoots. Pink-violet color predominates. Flowering in summer. Bred as an annual ornamental plant.

Rough or Mimosa scabrella

The homeland of this twenty-meter plant is South America. Panicles of numerous colors are white.

Photo gallery

Lazy or Mimosa pigra

An amazing perennial ornamental plant. Straight and branched shoots reach a height of 0.5 meters. Globular heads are characteristic of white flowers. Fern-like leaves are highly sensitive.