A Complete Analysis of the Latest Mimosa pudica Growing Methods
Mimosa pudica is a perennial herb or subshrub of the legume family. The mimosa plant has a loose, spreading form, with delicate and graceful feathery leaves; its flowers, leaves and seed pods all have good ornamental value. It is robust in habit, grows quickly, and is relatively easy to keep alive, making it suitable as a potted flower on balconies and indoors, and it can also be grown in courtyards and other places. Now let's take a look together at how to grow mimosa!
The Growth Habits of Mimosa pudica
Mimosa pudica is native to tropical America and is distributed in Taiwan, China, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places in China. It grows in open wastelands and among shrubs, and is often cultivated for ornament along the Yangtze River basin. It likes a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight, and is suited to well-drained sandy loam rich in organic matter. The plant is robust, grows quickly and has strong adaptability.
Propagating Mimosa pudica by Sowing
Mimosa pudica is a taproot plant with very few fibrous roots, so it is suitable for propagation by sowing, and it is best to sow it directly in place to avoid damaging the roots when transplanting. If transplanting is necessary, it should be done at the seedling stage, otherwise it is hard to keep alive. Mimosa grown as an annual is generally sown indoors in early spring. You can sow directly in a small pot, or raise seedlings in a shallow pot and then divide and transplant them. The sowing soil is made by mixing 2 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil and 5 parts fine yellow sand after sifting. When sowing, first fill the pot with an appropriate amount of growing medium, level and press it firm, water thoroughly with a watering can, and sow immediately once the water has fully seeped in. For direct sowing in a small pot, sow 1 to 2 seeds per pot; if raising seedlings in a shallow pot, sow them in spots at a spacing of 2×2 cm. After sowing, cover with 3 to 5 cm of soil, just enough to cover the seeds. Cover the pot with glass or plastic film to keep in moisture, and place the pot in a bright spot out of direct sun at around 20°C. Afterwards, when the potting soil dries out, water by the immersion method. After about 7 to 10 days, the seeds germinate and sprout.
How to Grow Mimosa pudica
1. Dividing and transplanting seedlings: When mimosa seedlings reach 3 cm tall, those sown in a shallow pot can be divided and transplanted. Seedlings should be transplanted with the soil around their roots, otherwise they are hard to keep alive. After the newly potted seedlings are watered thoroughly, first place them in a semi-shaded spot, and once they have recovered, move them to a spot with plenty of sunlight. Those sown directly in a small pot can be placed directly in a sunny spot to grow. After the seedlings grow larger, they can be repotted once more, but the pot should not be too large; generally, planting them out into a medium-sized flower pot of 15 to 20 cm is enough.
2. Water frequently: Mimosa pudica originally belongs to tropical plants and likes a humid environment, so the potting soil should always be kept moist. In summer, water according to the condition of the potting soil, roughly once a day; do not let the soil dry out. You can often spray water on the plant. In winter, to prevent cold damage, reduce the amount of watering.
3. Soil choice: Mimosa pudica is not demanding about soil; ordinary garden soil will do. But if you want mimosa to grow better, choose a relatively loose and fertile soil; you can mix leaf mold with sandy soil, or use only leaf mold. Humus soil is also a good choice.
4. Plenty of sunlight: Mimosa pudica likes sunlight, so it is best to place it on a sunny balcony or by a window. Full exposure to sunlight is good for the growth of mimosa; if there is too little sunlight, it may hinder its growth.
5. Preventing cold damage: Mimosa pudica is suited to growing in a warm environment, with 20 to 28°C being ideal. If the temperature is too low, it stops growing. In winter, because the temperature is too low, water less to avoid cold damage to the roots and stems. Watering should be done when the temperature is higher during the day. If the temperature is below 10°C, it is best to provide some protective measures.
6. Preventing pests and diseases: Mimosa pudica generally has very few pests and diseases. The most common pest is the slug; if you find any, you can sprinkle 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: Mimosa pudica only needs fertilizing once a month, but some people think that potted mimosa looks bad when it grows too large; those who think this way should simply not fertilize.