Mimosa pudica
Common name: Sensitive Plant, Sleeping Grass
Family: Mimosaceae
Origin: Brazil
Height: 5 ft
Width: 3 ft
Description:
This short lived evergreen sub shrub is usually treated as an annual. It is grown for its curiosity value - the fern like leaves close up and droop when touched or exposed to a flame, usually re-opening within minutes.
In some areas this plant is becoming a noxious weed. The stem is erect, slender and branching. The leaves are bipinnate, fern like and pale green- closing when disturbed. The flowers are pale lilac pink, occurring in globose heads and appearing in summer.
It is adaptable to most soils in an open, sunny position, and is drought and frost tender. Due to its ability to fix nitrogen from the air it does well on poor soils. This plant requires a medium light exposure, an evenly moist soil, and temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees. One should use caution when handling seedlings because the plant dislikes root disturbance. Mimosa may be difficult to grow and is sensitive to over watering.
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Cultivation and care:
These frost-tender plants prefer full sun and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Water well during the growing period, and sparingly in winter. Propagate from seed although summer cuttings are also practical. Soak seeds during one day: place in a pot 6 cm in diameter and then transfer to pots of 15 cm when the plant develops, or directly 3 to 6 seedlings in a pot of 15 cm. The best seedling is selected when the plant reached approximately 10 cm. One may cover the plant to maintain a humidity sufficient in the pot.
Propagation:
By seed or by cuttings. Seeds need to germinate- cover the seeds with very hot water and let soak overnight or until they swell. Pick out those that didn't swell and repeat this process with them. Sow swollen seeds immediately in seeding mix, covering with two to three times their thickness. Do not over water or allow to dry out and provide good drainage and bright light. It should germinate within a few days with pretreatment. Do not over water and keep humidity low or fungal problems may occur.
Pests and diseases:
Cochineals are insects inside a cotonneuse mass. One gets rid of them by progressively removing them using a cotton stem soaked with alcohol. If the insects are too numerous, it is to better sacrifice the plant and not to re-use the ground nor the pot.
Info:
- This chemical structure of mimosine is what pharmaceutical companies are working with to find a medical use for this plant.
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