Everyone knows what this flower looks like - smallbranches with small sharp leaves, studded with bright yellow buds, literally flooded flower shops and markets on the eve of March 8. Currently, mimosa - a plant that has become a kind of symbol of the women's spring holiday. But few know about its features. Few people know that mimosa is not a flower, but a shrub.
A bit of history
Quite often mimosa styled silveryacacia It owes this name to the grayish shade of the bark and leaves. Homeland shrub, which has received in our country so much popularity, is Australia. The mimosa growing there is a plant that can reach a height of 45 meters. The hot climate of the southeastern coast is ideal for this tree.
Initially, mimosa could only be seen onAustralian island of Tasmania. From there, an evergreen tree and began its journey, gradually spreading to the nearest countries - the islands of the Mediterranean, the west coast of the United States, Madagascar.
Mimosa in Russia
Naturally, the question is wheregrowing mimosa in Russia. After all, do not they 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 bush likes 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 not the same as in hot Australia, so the mimosa often does not grow to its height, stopping at around 12 meters.
A weed or a plant of wondrous beauty?
Initially mimosa was imported to the Caucasus asunique plant that was used to decorate parks and alleys. If today we ask local residents about where the mimosa grows in the Caucasus, they will be very surprised, because there it is common everywhere. The bush literally occupied the territory so much that the local population perceives it as a weed.
Сегодня деревце с раскидистыми ветвями, усыпанное bright yellow flowers, can be found at every turn. Therefore, in those parts, people do not ask where the mimosa grows. Yellow beauty is widespread in Sochi. Most simply do not pay attention to such a wondrous beauty, which has become a spring symbol. But residents of the northern areas can not stop looking at the first spring flowers, which are simply littered with flower shop counters during the March holidays.
Real mimosa
Interesting fact:if we turn to scientists, they will say that a small plant up to 60 cm high with pinkish round inflorescences is the mimosa (flower). Where does this miracle grow? In natural conditions, it can be found only in the forests of South America. In fact, it is a distant relative of the silvery acacia, belonging to the genus of legumes. By the way, the flower is not in vain called "bashful mimosa". Its leaves are so sensitive that even with the slightest touch to them they instantly hide, twist into tight tubes.
How to grow shy 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 greenhouses, 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, therewhere mimosa grows, similar conditions need to be created. In spring and summer, the air temperature for normal plant growth should be at least 20 degrees. In winter, the rest of the temperature indicators should be less: you need to navigate to 18 degrees.
In the active period of growth leaves mimosa needspray every day. It should be watered when the top layer of earth in a pot dries. Do not over-wet or dry soil. Water for irrigation should be used only at room temperature, separated.
Young year-old mimosa should not be transplanted intomore spacious pot. Make it better next year. And in general, this plant does not like frequent transplants. If the flower was cramped in the same 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 the same. Be sure to take care of good drainage.
Feed the plant every two weeks,but only during the period of active growth. But in the winter to make fertilizer is not necessary. In order to provide mimosa with the microelements necessary for it, universal mineral fertilizers are suitable.
Features of shy 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 the insufficiently humid air, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and dry at the ends. Drafts and tobacco smoke can be the reason that the beautiful mimosa just throw off all its bright green leaves. It is advisable not to experiment, checking whether it really drops them or not. The fact is that it will take a long time for the plant to restore its former form.
For breeding mimosa at home, grow it fromseeds. Usually they are soaked in sufficiently warm water (but not in boiling water) for 20 minutes. Next, they are placed in a moistened soil, not deeply buried. From above it is desirable to cover the container with seeds with glass or film, then put in a warm place.
Не забывайте проверять влажность грунта, в which 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 mimosa to grow fairly intensely and evenly, put it in the sunniest place. Do not forget about watering and spraying.
