Chamaecrista fasciculata SENSORY PLANT (10 seeds)

Chamaecrista fasciculata, also known as sensory plant or partridge pea, is a legume in the Fabaceae family. It is a plant native to the Eastern United States in North America. This fast-growing plant is very unique and reaches a height of 50 cm.

Its leaves are composed of small, oval, lanceolate leaflets, grouped in pairs or fascicles. They are green, slightly downy, with a texture that is soft to the touch. The arrangement is alternate along the stem.

This flowers of this sensitive plant are yellow, often with dark stripes or spots at the center, measuring about 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. They appear in clusters in the leaf axils. Flowering occurs in summer, bringing a touch of brightness to the vegetation.

Fruits are thin, long pods that can measure up to 10 centimeters. When they ripen, they turn brown or black and open up, releasing the seeds.

Sensitive pea seeds are black and very unique in their rectangular, flat shape; they measure 3 millimeters in length and have a small point on one of the corners.

- Uses:

This highly original plant is little known and has the particularity of being "sensory" its leaves retract upon rubbing or contact.

It is valued for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it a valuable plant for ecological restoration, soil stabilization, and improving soil fertility.

It is a melliferous plant, making it very interesting for biodiversity.

In addition to being very hardy, its bright yellow flowers make it an attractive plant for wild gardens or landscaping.

- Seeds Germination and Sowing:

• The most favorable period for sowing Chamaecrista fasciculata is from the month of May.
• Begin by soaking the seeds for 12 hours in lukewarm water.
• Next, bury them at a depth of 5 millimeters in a pot filled with horticultural potting soil.
• Finally, place the cultivation pots in a greenhouse at a temperature close to 30°C.
• Germination will begin within 3 to 4 weeks after sowing.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

It prefers well-drained, loamy, or sandy soil. It also tolerates nutrient-poor soil but appreciates moderately fertile ground.

- Exposure / Sunlight:

This plant loves full sun. It grows best when it receives at least 6 hours of direct light per day. Sunny exposure promotes abundant flowering and vigorous growth.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

Highly heat-resistant, it prefers temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. It can tolerate cooler temperatures, but it must be protected from frost, as it is not resistant to winter freezes.

- Watering / Irrigation:

Watering should be moderate. It is important to let the soil dry between two waterings. During periods of active growth, regular watering is recommended, but always without excess.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

Multiplication is mainly done by sowing but also by root division during the summer period.

- Pests / Diseases:

The main pests that can affect it are aphids and caterpillars. It can also be subject to attacks by mealybugs.