Everyone knows what this flower looks like - small twigs with small sharp leaves strewn with bright yellow inflorescences literally fill flower shops and markets on the eve of March 8th. Currently, mimosa is a plant that has become a kind of symbol of the women's spring holiday. But few people know about its features. Few people know that mimosa is not a flower, but a shrub.
A bit of history
Quite often mimosa is called a silver acacia. She owes this name to the grayish tint of the bark and leaves. The homeland of the shrub, which has received such great popularity in our country, is Australia. The mimosa growing there is a plant that can reach a height of 45 meters. The hot climate of the southeast coast is ideal for this tree.
Initially, mimosa could only be seen on the Australian island of Tasmania. From there, the evergreen tree began its journey, gradually spreading to the nearest countries - to the Mediterranean islands, the US west coast, Madagascar.
Mimosa in Russia
Quite naturally, the question arises as to where mimosa grows inRussia. After all, they don’t deliver it from other countries? Of course no. At the end of the 19th century, the silver acacia reached the Russian lands. Considering that the shrub loves a hot climate, it has taken root on the Black Sea coast. Today, mimosa can be seen in the Caucasus, in Abkhazia, in Sochi. But the climate conditions of our country are still not the same as in hot Australia, so the mimosa often does not grow to the required height, stopping at around 12 meters.
A weed or a plant of wondrous beauty?
Initially, mimosa was brought to the Caucasus as a unique plant that was used to decorate parks and alleys. If you ask local residents today about where mimosa grows in the Caucasus, they will be very surprised, because it is widespread there. The bush literally occupied the territory so much that the local population already perceives it as a weed.
Today, a tree with spreading branches, strewn with bright yellow flowers, can be found at every turn. Therefore, in those parts, people do not wonder where mimosa grows. The yellow beauty is also widespread in Sochi. Most simply do not pay attention to such marvelous beauty, which has become a symbol of spring. But residents of the northern regions cannot stop looking at the first spring flowers, which are simply strewn with the counters of flower shops during the March holidays.
Real Mimosa
Interesting fact: if you turn to scientists, they will say that a small plant up to 60 cm high withpinkish round inflorescences - this is mimosa (flower). Where does this miracle grow? Under natural conditions, it can only be found in the forests of South America. In fact, it is a distant relative of the silver acacia, which belongs to the legume genus. By the way, the flower is not in vain called "bashful mimosa". Its leaves are so sensitive that even with the slightest touch they are instantly hidden, twisted into tight tubes.
How to grow bashful mimosa
First you need to remember where mimosa grows (recall that these are countries with a hot tropical climate and high humidity), and then create the most similar conditions. Flowers are grown in greenhouse conditions, mainly for sale or for home use. They are not planted in open ground, because fragile beauties simply do not survive in our harsh conditions.
Given the humid and hot climate of the tropics, where mimosa grows, you need to create similar conditions. In spring and summer, the air temperature for normal plant growth should be at least 20 degrees. In the winter dormant period, temperature indicators should be lower: you need to focus on 18 degrees.
During the active period of growth, mimosa leaves should be sprayed every day. Watering should be done when the top layer of earth in the pot dries out. Do not allow waterlogging or drying of the soil. Water for irrigation should be used only at room temperature, separated.
A young one-year-old mimosa should not be transplanted into a larger pot. Do itbetter next year. And in general, this plant does not like frequent transplants. If the flower has become cramped in the previous pot, then it should be transplanted carefully, without disturbing the roots.
In places where mimosa grows, the soil contains quite a lot of leaf humus. Therefore, the soil for this flower should be selected similar. Be sure to take care of good drainage.
Feed the plant every two weeks, but only during the period of active growth. But in winter, fertilizer is not necessary. In order to provide mimosa with the trace elements it needs, universal mineral fertilizers are suitable.
Features of bashful mimosa
Let's talk about how capricious the plant is. There are some factors that it does not tolerate. Dry indoor air, drafts and tobacco smoke - all this will negatively affect the condition of your flower. From insufficiently moist air, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and dry at the ends. Drafts and tobacco smoke can cause the beautiful mimosa to simply shed all its bright green leaves. It is advisable not to experiment, checking whether she will really drop them or not. The fact is that it will take a lot of time for the plant to restore its previous form.
To grow mimosa at home, grow it from seed. Usually they are soaked in sufficiently warm water (but not in boiling water) for about 20 minutes. Then they are placed in moistened soil, without much deepening. It is advisable to cover the top of the container with seedsglass or film, then put in a warm place.
Do not forget to check the moisture content of the soil in which the seeds are planted, periodically water it with water at room temperature. When the seeds germinate and two true leaves appear on the sprouts, you can safely transplant the plants into separate pots. In order for the mimosa to grow intensively and evenly enough, put it in the sunniest place. Don't forget to water and spray.
