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Question on sensitive plant (mimosa pudica), please

16 years ago

WS'd some seeds from commercial pack, and some came up (yay!). But the little guys are barely an inch tall and wide still - several leaves each plant and they do react by closing to touch, but still so very tiny! Plantfiles shows them to be much larger. I have them in part shade still in their wintersown container, have kept them adequately watered since germination. Used manufacturer-amended potting soil (I think Garden Pro or some such from Wal-Mart, was next to Miracle Gro but not as pricey). Granted, I know my dad's tomatoes that have been treated with Miracle Gro are bigger than mine, but I can't believe everybody on Plantfiles used MG.

Anybody else have experience with these? Something I need to do differently? I know if they survive I will need to bring them inside in the fall and try to keep them alive over winter indoors (that's another challenge in itself).

Thanks in advance.

Terri

:-)

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Comments (8)

THEGARDENPOOTER
16 years ago
Hi Terri,
Mine started out just fine. I sowed them in late March here in Michigan and as soon as they got to about a inch I plopped them in the ground. They bloomed last week (lil fluffy pink balls) and now the blooms have faded. I guess you have to give them some room to grow. They are now about a foot high.

The Garden Pooter
jessewo
16 years ago
I've never started them on purpose but have had lots of volunteers! My grandmother had a tree & grew a new one from the first tree's seeds when she moved. Mine are the volunteers from that tree. It seems to produce good strong seeds-let me know if you need some & I'd be glad to send you some.
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Hi Resuki, Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is commonly called sensitive plant because the foliage closes and droops at the slightest touch. It is also sensitive to improper care. Bright indirect sunlight with some early or late day direct sun is good. Keep temps above 60 degrees. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not constantly wet; water when the surface of the soil feels dry. It also should be pruned or pinched back regularly to encourage branching and to keep it full and to prevent legginess. Spider mites can destroy it quickly. This is not a particularly hardy plant. It grows quickly from seed, but it loses its sensitivity and doesn't seem to last for more than a year or so. It is more of a novelty plant - kids love it. Good luck with yours. BTW, The reason the leaves fold down when touched is so that the plant can protect itself from predators. As the fronds fold down, the sharp thorns are exposed, thereby discouraging animals from eating them. Whatever the physiological mechanism is, it is sensitive enough that it also closes the leaves in response to strong sun, wind and rain. Will Creed, Indoor Landscaper
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mmqchdygg
16 years ago
Here's my 2Â¢: I sowed these as an indoor plant this winter. It's in a 4" pot, and has got to be THE slowest growing plant I've ever seen.

It's still only a couple inches tall, and although nice form to the leaves & 'functions' like it's supposed to, it simply doesn't get big. What's up with that???

One good thing I have to point out is it does have a good comeback reputation- my cat ate what little was there, and it has grown back. A couple times I've wanted to heave it, but it's my DS's plant, so I leave it be. Maybe soon it'll grow.
roflol
Original Author
16 years ago
Jessew, sorry for the confusion. There are two kinds of mimosa (that I'm aware of) - the plant (mimosa pudica) and the tree (Albizia julibrissin). I've got the plant. :-)

mmqchdygg, maybe we got a dwarf variety!!!

I guess I'll put half of mine out in the ground right quick as Garden Pooter indicates it might be wanting more space, and see if it can take off a bit and flower before frost, and the rest I'll pot up differently and see if something happens.

Thanks for the info, everybody!
kek19
16 years ago
I just bought one of these guys for my son. I was sold as a houseplant. I never even thought of putting it in the ground. Mines not growing or doing anything. It lost a bunch of leaves, and is regrowing some, but that's it.

Maybe I should repot it or put it in the ground?
pitimpinai
16 years ago
:-D It is interesting how people perceive plants. Where I grew up, it is considered a weed. lol.
roflol
Original Author
16 years ago
lol! Where did you grow up? We never had a weed that did tricks like this where I grew up. You must have some uber-high standards. ;-)

(I'm kidding, I've seen pics of your gardens, I *know* you have impeccable standards.) I agree, it is funny how people perceive plants differently. Once on another website somebody asked for japanese honeysuckle for deer browse in a very northern clime, and he was lambasted for even considering the use of such a thing... somebody seriously recommended poison ivy instead. :-)
pitimpinai
16 years ago
Thank you, roflol.
I was startled when I saw Mimosa pudica potted up for sale in Japan and now this thread.
:-D
Although I have lived in the West more than half my life, I grew up in the tropics where plants such as Hibiscus, Canna, Crotons, are a dime a dozen and Mimosas and Lantana are weeds. :-)

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