How to Grow a Sensitive Plant, Mimosa pudica

Introduction

The sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is more commonly known as the TickleMe Plant , sometimes called the shy plant or even the humble plant. Recently it has gained tremendous popularity as the experts at sensitiveplant.com (see external links) explain how easy it is to grow with their specially selected seeds and growing kits.

By: SensitivePlant

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Instructions

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Difficulty: Easy

Tips & Warnings:

If you cover any of your containers with clear wrap, Do not put them in direct sunlight until you remove the plastic wrap.
Cool temperatures will prevent your sensitive plant or TickleMe Plant™ from starting to grow leaves. Put them in a room with temperatures between 70° and 85° Fahrenheit.
Do not over water or allow the soil to dry out.
If temperatures are kept between 70° and 85° Fahrenheit, young sensitive plants or TickleMe Plants™ can sprout in less than 7 days. However, if temperatures are lower, it may take 21 to 30 days for your sensitive plants or TickleMe Plants™ to sprout.
First leaves will appear in several days. These are not ticklish and will not move. About three weeks later, real TickleMe Plant leaves will appear and will move when tickled. As the plant grows, more and more leaves will appear as well as branches. The branches will even droop when the leaves are tickled. Did you know that..
The plant will even sleep at night as it folds up its leaves.
These plants can produce beautiful pink, cotton candy like flowers, which in turn produce more sensitive seeds.
There are many sources of TickleMe Plant, shy plant, and sensitive plant seeds on the web and in science and seed catalogs.
If you purchase a TickleMe Plant Growing Kit or Greenhouse, it is not recommended for children under 5 years old, due to small parts.

Step1

soaking seeds Place your seeds in a container of warm water and let them soak over night before you plant your seeds. This will help them to sprout faster.

Step2

Clear plastic wrap helps the seeds sprout faster by keeping in heat and moisture. In a flower pot or cup of soil, plant your seeds 1/8 inch deep. Cover the flower pot or cup with clear plastic wrap. Important- the clear wrap must be removed as soon as your sensitive plant or TickleMe Plant™ begins to grow.

Step3

baby TickleMe Plant™ Place your baby sensitive plants or TickleMe Plants™ in a warm and mostly sunny location with temperature 70-85 degrees. The clear wrap or greenhouse cover must be removed once the sensitive plant seeds have sprouted and popped above the soil.

Step4

5. Water enough to keep soil from drying out completely

Step5

6. Congratulations! You have successfully grown your own TickleMe Plant™ from seeds. * Remember- First leaves will appear in several days. These are not ticklish and will not move. About three weeks later, real TickleMe Plant leaves will appear and will move when tickled. As plant grows, more and more leaves will appear as well as branches. The branches will even droop when the leaves are tickled.

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Comments

SensitivePlant said

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on 9/25/2008 They just showed the TickleMe Plant on CSI.
and you can grow your own from kits at
http://www.ticklemeplant.com
Check out the video of the plant and how its really does move when tickled!