Mimosa: the most famous types, simple and proper care

Through a worldwide vote, it has become known that mimosa is considered one of the most widespread and popular flowering plants. Already in March, it is possible to purchase a bouquet of mimosas in flower shops. Refined branches with small rounded yellow flowers and soft hairy leaves have won the hearts of millions of people. I also note its wonderful aroma, which cannot be confused with anything. The unofficially recognized symbol of March 8 is mimosa.

Mimosa: briefly about the plant

The people know about mimosa only superficial facts. Mimosa is a herbaceous shrub. The plant comes from the legume family. The real name of "mimosa" is "silver acacia", or "Australian acacia".

The plant doesn't require all of your attention or time. In appearance, it does not represent anything pretentious, but on the contrary, it symbolizes beauty in simplicity. A great impression from this plant is also formed because of its amazing aroma. In some countries, there is a day of the year in which they organize annual carnivals and celebrations in honor of mimosa, such countries are Montenegro and France.

Mimosa has the ability to grow rapidly, on the territory of our country it grows on average to twelve to fifteen centimeters, and in its native land it grows up to fifty centimeters. The leaves have a green color, which, when exposed to sunlight, acquires a silvery sheen. The trunk of the bush has thorns almost over the entire area. By the way, thanks to the silvery tint of the foliage in the sun, the name "Silver acacia" appeared. Mimosa leaves and fern leaves are often compared, since their shapes are similar. The flowering process occurs in the winter period, the end comes in March. Enough especially for the plant.

Mimosa: the origin of the plant

The Black Sea coast has become a favorite place for mimosa in Russia. This can be explained by the fact that the plant is light-loving, and there is enough sunlight for it. At the moment, mimosa grows in:

- Abkhazia.

- Sochi.

- In the Caucasus.

Since the weather and natural conditions of the native land and Russia differ significantly, unfortunately, this is reflected in the growth of the shrub, which is about twelve to fifteen centimeters.

At a time when mimosa served as a decorative element for landscaping gardens and squares in the Caucasus, in Russia it began to adapt for further growth. Of course, these days it is difficult to find a flower shop or market where it is out of stock. The plant became widespread in Sochi, local residents even stopped stopping and admiring it. In colder lands, there is no such pleasure, but by the beginning of spring, a fragrant bouquet of mimosas can be purchased at any flower shop.

The plant migrated to us from a tropical area, namely from Brazil. There she was nicknamed "Impatient" and "Shy Mimosa". Initially, the plant was a herbaceous perennial shrub, but due to its ability to quickly fade, unfortunately, and maybe fortunately, it is now grown as an annual. The plant was nicknamed "touchy" due to the fact that at any touch to the leaf - it folds. Within thirty - sixty minutes it opens again. Experts say that this feature is just a precaution against heavy rains and winds.

Leaves also fold when the temperature changes, from day to night and shaking.The most interesting thing is that not individual leaves that you touched are closed, but everything. Kislitsa has the same reaction. The differences are only in the foliage folding time, the first has an instant reaction, the second has a five-minute reaction.

At the moment, there are known about five hundred varieties of mimosa. Most of them grow in America. Mimosa can grow in several forms:

- tree view.

- in the form of a bush.

- in the form of grass.

Interestingly, only some of the species have a feature in the form of instant reaction to touch. From the name you can guess that "Shy Mimosa" refers to them. The inflorescences have a pleasant purple color with a tint to pink. In their native lands, they grow up to one meter in height, as a houseplant - up to fifty centimeters.

Simple and proper care

The plant is light-loving and surprisingly not damaged by direct sunlight. When growing mimosa at home as a houseplant, then place the container with it on the windowsill. Sometimes it is necessary to create partial shading. In case of long-term cloudy and rainy weather - use artificial light.

We advise you to change mimosas annually, as they do not retain their beauty after the flowering process.

Do not use cigarettes and other tobacco products in the same room with mimosa, it does not tolerate dirty air. Keep the temperature around twenty-two to twenty-five degrees.

Loosen the soil regularly, there should be sand or crushed brick on the bottom layer. Watering should be regular and moderate. Maintain moisture balance in the soil. Top dressing is done twice a season.

Mimosa photo