Mimosas, also known as the "don't touch-me-plant" among gardeners, are delicate beauties. Cultivation demands a lot from passionate plant lovers. This applies in particular to the overwintering of the subshrubs, which can be up to 1 m high. The legumes are sensitive to various factors. In the trade, the tropical plants are usually only sold as annual perennials. However, with the right preparation and technique, it is possible to get Mimosa pudica through the winter.
Exotic Beauty
The plants, which belong to the legume family, originally come from the tropical rainforests of Brazil and the savannas of South America. Mimosas have a striking feature: When touched, the leaves of the subshrubs fold together in a flash. This reflex is already triggered by falling raindrops or strong gusts of wind and earned the mimosa the nickname "shy plant of sense". In order not to stress the plant unnecessarily and to trigger the effect continuously, a few preparations must be made during cultivation.
- sunny to partially shaded planting site
- avoid direct midday sun
- Substrate must not dry out
- Waterlogging should not occur when watering
- Avoid drafts
- fertilize regularly from March to August
hibernate
Overwintering Mimosa pudica is difficult but not impossible. Provided the plants are healthy and resilient. For this reason, you should consider the most important criteria in relation to the care of tropical perennials. The optimal temperature for mimosas is between 20° - 25° C. Even a short-term or slight drop in the thermometer can lead to severe leaf loss in the legumes.
Locations close to house and garden walls have proven successful. The stone stores heat during the day and slowly releases it into the environment in the dark. At the same time, the wall protects against cold and stormy winds. Optimal conditions for the successful cultivation of Mimosa. The South American perennial also comes into its own in rock gardens and in Mediterranean zones.
winter quarters
Due to the fact that the subshrubs are sensitive to low temperatures, they should only be kept in pots. Digging out of the ornamental bed is tedious and unnecessarily burdens the plants. The ideal time to move to a safe space depends on the weather. In recent years, it was by no means unusual for the weather to take on autumnal traits at the end of August or the beginning of September.
The following factors can significantly affect the mimosa:
- cold winds
- leaf shedding of larger plants
- Temperatures below 15° C
- prolonged rain
Hoping for better weather can result in the death of exotics. It is also a hopeless endeavor to protect the plants from the cold with a protective fleece. The effort is great, but unsuccessful. While other plants are satisfied with a frost-free room and a bright place by the window during the winter, the perennials with the sensitive leaves make special demands on the winter quarters. A sufficient amount of light is one of the basic prerequisites for the papilionaceous plants to make it through the cold season.
- Avoid south-facing windows
- Protect plants from drafts and vibration
- the ambient temperature should be between 13° - 16° C
light ratio
Light is an important issue with mimosas and can contribute to the well-being of the plants. Experiments with special LEDs or plant lamps have failed with the South American plants. Choose a room with one or more large windows for wintering. Depending on the size of Mimosa pudica, you can also place the subshrub directly on the spacious windowsill.
A styrofoam plate under the flower pot also protects the sensitive roots from the cold. As in the main growing season in the garden, you should protect the plant from direct midday sun. The shedding of the leaves can increase, at the same time there is a risk that the substrate will dry out too quickly.
Pour right
In the cold season, mimosas take a break, new leaves and shoots are hardly formed. Nevertheless, do not leave the plants to their own devices. Certain measures are important to ensure that the exotic plants get through the winter unscathed. One of the most important care measures is watering. The root ball of Mimosa pudica must not dry out. Even brief periods of drought can affect the plants. A good indicator of soil moisture content is the top layer of soil. If the first two to three centimeters feel dry and crumbly under your fingers, you should pour more water.
With a drainage layer made of porous material in the flower pot, the mimosa roots cannot stand in the water. Don't rely on this alone, water in smaller amounts. You should immediately remove excess irrigation water in the cachepot and saucer.
hydroponics
The tropical plants are suitable for cultivation in hydroponics. In this system, the subshrubs can independently absorb the required amounts of moisture, reducing the risk of drying out. If you choose hydroponics, you should grow the plants directly in the material. A change from earth to the inorganic substrate is hardly possible. Because the roots must be completely freed from organic material, even small residues can cause rot. Hydroponics increases the chances for Mimosa pudica to overwinter unscathed.
humidity
In addition to the right watering, there should be high humidity in the winter quarters. Spraying the leaves regularly is not enough to meet the needs of tropical exotics. Place water bowls near the plants or use an indoor fountain. This enriches the air with moisture and looks decorative. With high humidity, you also reduce the risk of pest infestation. Spider mites in particular appear on indoor plants in winter. These annoying pests can be tackled effectively with simple measures.
wintering tips
Mimosas are sensitive to extreme situations. This applies to dryness as well as to a lack of light or direct sunlight. For this reason, it is not exactly easy to get the sensitive perennials safely through the cold season.
The following tips have also proven useful:
- give the mimosas a quiet retreat
- Transit rooms are unsuitable
- the plants tolerate no pruning
- avoid proximity to active heating sources
- Regularly check for pest infestation and react immediately if necessary
You can do without fertilizer in the winter months. The plants are unable to process the nutrients properly. Fertilization is only done from March to August. In this way you prevent the roots of the perennials from "burning".
Mimosas that are cultivated in the winter garden all year round have a greater chance of overwintering. The plants do not have to adapt to the change between open air and closed rooms. In the winter garden it is not uncommon for the plants to reach a height of up to 3 m. Do not cut back these perennials either. Only disturbing shoots can be shortened minimally. Mimosas do not tolerate shape and thinning cuts. Accordingly, the external appearance of older plants suffers. The move to the garden is only on the agenda again as soon as the temperatures in the garden are permanently above 15° C.