Searching the local freecycle, I discovered a lady who was generously giving away Mimosa seedlings. Since I have always enjoyed the challenge associated with growing and raising plants, I was quick to seize this opportunity. I contacted the kind women and she provided me with the necessary details to get to her location and retrieve the plants.
Upon arrival, we dug up three of the healthiest looking Mimosa plants and placed them in a plastic garbage bag until we could get them home. Once home, it was time to plant these little gems in a pot. We decided to place them in a large pot instead of planting them directly in the ground as we are currently looking to purchase our own house in the near future. This way we can take them with us to our new location.
Mimosa trees grow very fast and in a matter of five to ten years they can quickly reach heights of 30 to 40 feet. Unfortunately, these are quite fragile plants and generally have a very short lifespan. The harsh winters expected in the northern part of the country can quickly take a toll on these plants and the chances of their survival are slim.
As with any plant, there are also downsides to growing and growing these varieties. In this case we have already mentioned their short life expectancy. It is also considered by many to be a very messy plant with its seed pods scattered on the ground nearby. If left unattended, these pods will go to seed and cover your lawn fairly quickly.
The final fragrance of the trees and the attractive silk flowers that appear on it are the main reason why people choose to grow this type of tree. It is quite easy to grow these plants in your garden and they require little maintenance afterward.
When preparing to invest in these trees, be sure to get a sapling or, if you have the option, you can start your plant from a seed pod. These pods are readily available to anyone who has mimosa trees growing in their garden.
You should normally plant the tree in direct sunlight. Heat is one of the factors most appreciated by this plant. Once you have initially established your tree, you should only water it during those periods of extreme drought. The mimosa tree is extremely drought tolerant and survives well in alkaline soils. Normal rainfall is sufficient to water the plant and therefore additional attention to water is usually not necessary.
You should inspect and remove any dead branches you may discover on your plant. This will keep it healthy and ensure its survival. The wood of trees is extremely weak and brittle, while their outstretched branches are continually prone to accidental snapping. It is this breaking of tree branches that accounts for their limited lifespan. This tree is known to attract webworms and suffer from vascular wilt. Unless you want to have a large number of mimosa trees, you should regularly remove any seedlings that may start to develop from the seed pods. Remember that these trees can become very intrusive, making control a bit difficult. Each tree can produce hundreds of baby trees from these fallen seed pods.
In early spring you will want to fertilize your new mimosa tree. It would be best to do this before any new growth begins for the season. If the leaves are starting to turn yellow, you may want to give your tree a little shot of fertilizer to show off its immune system. Generally, the yellowing of the leaves is an important indication of some type of fungal disease. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to save your precious tree in this case, however, the fertilizer can prolong its life and effectively slow the progression of the disease.
By following these simple rules, your tree can live ten to twenty years, and sometimes even longer. Good luck with your new seedling.
Copyright @ 2009 Joseph Parish