What are the latest propagation methods for mimosa?
Mimosa is a perennial herb or subshrub of the legume family. Its flowers, leaves and pods all have good ornamental value. It is a taproot plant with very few fibrous roots, so it is suitable for propagation by sowing, and it is best to sow directly to avoid damaging the roots during transplanting. If transplanting is necessary, it should be done at the seedling stage, otherwise it is not easy to survive. Now let us take a look at how mimosa is propagated!
Mimosa seed collection
Mimosa pods often cluster together in one place, and their ripening period is very uneven. On one branch, pods that have already ripened and split open, young pods and flower buds often appear at the same time. Seeds should be harvested in batches, and usually the seeds from the early-formed pods in the middle and lower parts of the branch should be collected.
Mimosa sowing time
Before sowing mimosa, seeds that are mature, plump, large, full and colored should be selected for sowing. The storage life of seed germination is relatively short, so seeds should be sown as soon as they are collected or stored mixed with fine sand in a cool indoor place and sown the following spring. Generally, sowing is done indoors in early spring.
Mimosa sowing method
1. Mimosa can be sown directly in small pots, or raised in shallow pots and then divided for transplanting. The sowing soil is prepared by mixing 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil and 5 parts fine yellow sand after sieving. When sowing, first put an appropriate amount of culture soil in the pot, spread it flat and press it firm, then use a watering can to sprinkle it thoroughly, and sow immediately after the water has completely penetrated. For direct sowing in small pots, sow 1 to 2 seeds per pot; if using a shallow pot for raising seedlings, sow by dibbling at a spacing of 2×2 cm.
2. After sowing mimosa seeds, cover with 3 to 5 cm of soil, just enough to cover the seeds. Cover the pot with glass or plastic film to keep it moist, and place the pot in a place with diffused light at about 20°C. Later, when the pot soil is dry, water by the immersion method. After about 7 to 10 days, the seeds germinate and emerge.
Mimosa seedling management
1. After mimosa emerges, the covering on the pot should be removed and the seedlings should gradually receive sunlight. When the seedlings grow to 3 cm high, those sown in shallow pots can be divided and transplanted. When dividing seedlings, they should be transplanted with soil, otherwise they are not easy to survive. After the newly potted seedlings are watered thoroughly, first place them in a semi-shaded place, and after they recover, move them to a place with sufficient sunlight.
2. Mimosa sown directly in small pots can be placed directly in a sunny place to grow. In southern China in mid-April and in northern China in early May, the seedling pots can be moved outdoors for cultivation, and they should be watered in time to keep the pot soil moist regularly. When the seedlings grow to 4 leaves, start applying liquid fertilizer. Generally, apply a light decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 7 to 10 days. After the seedlings grow larger, they can be repotted once more, but the pot should not be too large. Generally, planting them in a medium-sized flowerpot of 15 to 20 cm is sufficient.