Does the Mimosa Plant Bloom? This Article Answers Your Question
The mimosa (Mimosa pudica) is a perennial herb or subshrub of the Fabaceae family, with a loose, spreading form and delicate, graceful feathery leaves that close at a touch. Its flowers are plentiful and elegant, charming and endearing, giving an impression of delicate refinement. It can be planted in the ground at a courtyard corner, or grown in a pot and placed in a hall. Now let us take a look together at whether the mimosa blooms!
Does the mimosa bloom?
The mimosa does bloom. The mimosa usually blooms in midsummer. Among the green grass, its pale purple-pink flowers, fluffy and soft, look especially shy and delicate, while the slender branches and leaves set off the plump, round blossoms all the more charmingly and vividly. The flowering period is from July to October, and it takes about 5 days from bud to bloom. After flowering, it forms pods in autumn containing seeds, which fall off at the joints when ripe.
The growth habits of the mimosa
The mimosa is native to tropical America, and in China it is distributed in Taiwan, China, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places. It grows in open wasteland and thickets, and is often cultivated for ornamental purposes in the Yangtze River basin. It likes a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight, and thrives in well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter. The plant is robust, grows quickly and has strong adaptability.
How to grow the mimosa
1. Thinning and transplanting seedlings: When mimosa seedlings reach 3 cm tall, those sown in shallow pots can be thinned and transplanted. Seedlings should be transplanted with soil around the roots, otherwise they are not easy to keep alive. After the newly potted seedlings are watered thoroughly, place them first in a semi-shaded spot, and once they have recovered, move them to a place with plenty of sunlight. Those sown directly in small pots can be placed straight in full sunlight to grow. After the seedlings grow larger, they can be repotted once more, but the pot should not be too large; generally, planting them into a medium-sized flower pot of 15 to 20 cm is sufficient.
2. Water regularly: The mimosa is originally a tropical plant and likes a humid environment, so the potting soil should be kept moist at all times. In summer, water according to the condition of the potting soil, roughly once a day, and do not let the soil dry out. You can also mist the plant regularly. In winter, reduce watering to prevent frost damage.
3. Soil choice: The mimosa is not demanding about soil and ordinary garden soil will do. However, if you want it to grow better, choose a looser, more fertile soil. A mix of leaf mold and sandy soil works, or you can use leaf mold alone; humus soil is also a good choice.
4. Plenty of sunlight: The mimosa likes sunlight. It is best placed on a sunny balcony or by a window, as full exposure to sunlight benefits its growth. If there is too little sunlight, its growth may be hindered.
5. Preventing frost damage: The mimosa is suited to growing in a warm environment, ideally between 20°C and 28°C. If the temperature is too low, it stops growing. In winter, because the temperature is too low, water less to avoid frost damage to the roots and stems. Watering should be done when the temperature is higher during the day. If the temperature drops below 10°C, it is best to provide some protective measures.
6. Preventing pests and diseases: The mimosa generally has few pests and diseases. The most common pest is the slug; if you find any, you can scatter some lime powder to control them. If the plant is not growing well, check whether there is insufficient light or not enough water.
7. Reasonable fertilizing: The mimosa only needs fertilizing once a month, but some people think a potted mimosa looks unattractive if it grows too large; those who think so should simply not fertilize it.