A gift that keeps on tickling

Former Bell science teacher, Mark Chipkin
December 5, 2008
by Marci Garson

If you’re looking for a present for Christmas or Chanukah that’s exciting, educational and your kids will think is cool . . . Boy, do we have something that will tickle your fancy!

Mark Chipkin, a science teacher at Bell Middle School for 34 years before his retirement last June, discovered it when he was a kid in the Bronx and a member of a seed club. No wonder he grew up to be a science teacher with a profound interest in nature! During his tenure at Bell, he introduced the mimosa pudica, aka the “TickleMe” plant to thousands of his students.

“It was a great run and a great career,” Chipkin said of his Bell years. So much so that he wasn’t ready to give up his connection to children, science or nature upon retirement. “I wanted to do something that would keep me in touch with kids that would be educational, fun and flexible.” So in March 2007 the former science teacher founded the TickleMe Plant Company with his brother Larry Chipkin, whom he credits for giving the mimosa pudica a friendlier name, which it more than deserves. The derivation of pudica is bashful or modest.

What’s so cool about the TickleMe Plant?

What’s cool is that when you tickle this plant, it moves! But unlike the Venus Fly Trap, it does not bite. Instead, the leaves and branches bend in response to your touch. After being tickled, the leaves curl up and at night they close, as if going to sleep. “It’s exciting and sensitive,” Chipkin explained. “It turns kids on to living things, gardening and nature. For a great, well-rounded gardening experience,” he suggested, “you can’t leave this plant out.”  What’s even cooler? Anyone can grow it at home. A TickleMe plant kit can be purchased for as little as $4.99.

The TickleMe brothers have this project “down to a science”

The Chipkin brothers have been studying the TickleMe plant for years. Their company sells the $4.99 kit complete with a mini-greenhouse, soil, flower pot and 10-20 seeds. A full greenhouse includes six pots and goes for $19.99. The brothers are so sure that the plant will grow, and move when you touch it, they promise replace all your seeds if you aren’t successful.  “We have it down to a science,” the former teacher boasted, “we know all the tricks.”  He suggested running some experiments on the plants, such as putting the seeds in hot water and letting them cool overnight to see if they will sprout in a matter of days rather than a week. All of the plants should move within one month and often, tiny delicate pink flowers will bloom.

Local retailers offer the kits as well

Penny Auntie has been selling the kits for over a year. Owner Karen Lustig calls the mini-greenhouse a great party favor.  “The thing I love about [the kits] is that they are great for all ages,” she added.  You can also find TickleMe Plants at Try and Buy in Pleasantville and Katonah, Michael’s Nursery in Mt. Kisco,  Briarcliff Toy Store and Child’s Play in Scarsdale. The Liberty Science Center and the New York Botanical Gardens carry the kit and you can buy it online at www.ticklemeplant.com.  One percent of the profits from online sales are donated to The Nature Conservancy to help preserve the rain forest and fundraisers are offered a discount if they purchase online.

In fact, the mimosa pudica is practically infamous. It had a starring role in the premier of CSI: NY. The amazing moving plant was featured as a clue that helped resolve a murder case; Mark and Larry Chipkin acted as consultants for the producers. If you’re headed south or to the Caribbean for the holidays, chances are you’ll see TickleMe plants growing wild, since the rain forest is its natural habitat.

A childhood memory you’ll never forget

On a personal note, I wanted to write this story because I grew up with two mimosa trees flanking either side of my front lawn in my small hometown of Frederick, Maryland. I will never forget the feel of the soft pink flowers, which looked like tiny pom-poms and felt like fairy dust when you brushed them against your cheek. Mark Chipkin said that this is what he is looking for in introducing this plant to kids, creating a childhood memory. As it is, he recalled, he will never forget the look of fascination on the faces of the students at Bell who would run into his classroom before school started, just to tickle the plants. “Once you know this plant,” Mark promised, “you will never forget it.”