Description
Mimosa or Sensitive Plant Seeds 6070. Open Pollinated. Annual.
Approx. 45-50 seeds/pkt (150 seeds/gram)
(Mimosa pudica). The fern-like leaves of this plant fold up when either blown on or touched then reopen a short time later. If you listen carefully, you will hear a whispering noise accompanying their closing. The flowers, which occur more often with plants grown outdoors in summer are pink or purple fluffy globe shaped balls. Grows 30-45 cm in height. Very tender perennial hardy to zone 9, hence it is grown as either an annual outdoors in summer or as a houseplant only venturing outside in the height of summer.
How to Grow
Sow seed 3 mm deep in a fine, almost sandy mix. Keep the temperature of the growing medium at 26° C for the roughly 15 day germination period. After germination, grow on under under lights at a cooler temperature of 18° C. Plants do best indoors in a brightly lit spot with lots of indirect sunlight and away from any cool/cold drafts. When grown outdoors, they thrive at temperatures at or above 26° C and in high humidity. Fertilize every two weeks through the summer with half strength water soluble fertilizer high in potassium (such as a tomato fertilizer). While there is no doubt that the folding of the leaves is fun to watch, this can actually weaken the plant should it occur too often.
