Mimosa flower growing a plant
The mimosa flower, or silver acacia, is native to hot Australia. Depending on the climatic conditions in Russia, it can be grown in the garden and at home.
The mimosa tree reaches 12 m in height, and in hot countries it can grow up to 45 m.
The mimosa flower loves light. Without it, the plant dies
It has a spreading crown. Its trunk is prickly with a diameter of about 70 cm.
On the branches there are pointed leaves of a silvery-green color about 20 cm long.
Mimosa blooms from early February to April
At this time, small fluffy yellow flowers appear. They are collected in round, spherical inflorescences that form racemose. At the same time, the brushes form panicles. Delicate in appearance, mimosa has a strong but pleasant aroma.
Growing and caring for mimosa at home
You can grow mimosa in the garden, but in those regions where there are no harsh winters, and it is better to do this in a greenhouse. It can withstand frosts only down to -10⁰С. Therefore, it is safer to grow a flower at home.
You can plant it using seeds. At the end of March, they need to be placed 0,5 cm in fertile and moist soil. It should contain an equal amount of peat, sand and earth.
In order to see beautiful flowers in 2 years, you must follow some rules while growing a tree:
- Place the seedling pot in a sunny and warm place, such as near a window or on a windowsill on the south side of the house. Make sure there are no drafts.
- Mimosa loves good lighting, with a lack of light, it will not bloom. Therefore, in winter, arrange additional lighting for 4 hours a day. In the summer, you can place the flower in direct sunlight.
- Mimosa is drought tolerant. Therefore, in summer it can be watered 2 times a week, and in winter, when the top layer of the earth dries up, but not more than 3 times a month. On especially hot days, it will not be superfluous to spray the plant in the morning and evening.
- Feed the mimosa once every 2 weeks, apply complex mineral fertilizers, it is better if they are liquid. In winter, she does not need feeding.
- Monitor the room temperature. In summer, it should be 25-27 ⁰С, and in winter not lower than -10 С.
- In warm weather, take the plant out into the fresh air, on a balcony, or in a garden. But before that, hardening is needed, for this, ventilate the room where the flower grows.
- After flowering, in mid or late April, cut the bush, remove weak and damaged branches.
Mimosa is an unpretentious plant. But all the same, you need to follow the listed rules of care.
Growing this flower and caring for it will not be difficult even for a novice florist. She will surely thank the owner with lush flowering when it is cold outside the window.