Heirloom Organic Mimosa Tree Seeds 10
Albizia julibrissin, the Persian silk tree or pink silk tree, is a species of tree in the family Fabaceae, native to southwestern and eastern Asia. The genus is named after the Italian nobleman Filippo degli Albizzi, who introduced it to Europe in the mid-18th century, and it is sometimes incorrectly spelled Albizzia.
Valued for their fragrant pink flowers and airy foliage, mimosas or silk trees (Albizia julibrissin) are a subtropical species of deciduous tree widely grown. Mimosa seeds germinate quickly in warm conditions and will put on approximately 36 inches of growth each year. However, the hulls of the seeds are very hard and must be processed before sowing to ensure successful germination.
Mimosas attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to the landscape.
Sow the Seeds
Fill individual 5-inch biodegradable pots with a lightly moistened mixture of half sand and half loam. Sow one seed in each pot at a 1-inch depth. Spread a 1/4-inch-thick layer of sand over the soil.
Move the Pots Outside
Set the pots outdoors against a south- or west-facing wall with full sun. Provide 75 F bottom heat with a propagation mat if the weather is cool and light shade at midday if daytime temperatures rise above 90 F.
Monitor the Moisture
Carefully monitor the moisture level of the soil. Water to a 2-inch depth whenever the top 1/2 inch of soil dries out. Avoid overwatering or letting the soil dry out completely, which will cause the mimosa seeds to fail.
Watch for Germination
Watch for germination one to three weeks after sowing. Grow the seedlings under the same conditions as during germination until they reach 3 inches in height and produce several mature leaves.
Transplant the Trees
Transplant the mimosa trees into a permanent bed in autumn at least six weeks before the first frost. Choose a planting site with full sun at least 20 feet away from structures, utility lines and other trees. Plant multiple mimosa trees approximately 20 feet apart.
Tip
Mimosas thrive in a variety of soil types and textures and may be found growing along roadsides or in abandoned fields in poor to average soils in full sun, although they can tolerate partial shade. Until the trees are well-established in your landscape, apply water when the top couple of inches of soil are dry to the touch; reduce water in winter. Suppress weeds by applying approximately 3 inches of organic mulch evenly out to the tips of the branches, but don't allow the mulch to touch the base of the tree. Withhold fertilizer for the first two to three years and then have the soil tested to determine if fertilizer is necessary.