hKits available to grow TickleMe Plants

hKits available to grow
TickleMe Plants

“Daddy come quick, my plant just moved when I tickled it,” daughter Rebecca screamed to her father, Larry Chipkin. Thus began the success of the TickleMe Plant seeds that Chipkin now sells.

What’s a TickleMe Plant? Native to Brazil, TickleMe Plants can be found growing wild there and in other tropical areas.

The scientific name for the TickleMe Plant is Mimosa pudica.

“We simply planted the seeds in a flower pot of soil, watered it and the plants sprouted in days,” he says. “Two weeks later, we tickled this sensitive plant and watched in amazement as the plant closed its leaves and lowered its branches. Then, within 15 minutes it lifted its fernlike branches and opened its leaves.”

A packet of seeds is about $5.95, growing kits are available. Visit www. TickleMePlant.com or call (845)350-4800.

New Dow insulation
uses no fiberglass

Put away the gloves and goggles. Dow Chemical Co. has come out with a batt insulation that’s fiberglass-free, which means no more irritating glass dust.

Dow’s SafeTouch insulation is made of polyester fibers, but has the same insulating properties as fiberglass products, the company says. SafeTouch is being test-marketed at Lowe’s stores in the Cleveland, Columbus and Pittsburgh areas and is available at the Montrose and Green stores, a company spokesperson said. It’s expected to be available nationwide next year.

SafeTouch costs about $50 for 77.5 square feet of R-13 insulation or 58 square feet of R-19 insulation.

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