Indoor balsam - home care, planting, types and varieties, diseases and treatment. Impatiens (flowers): care, cultivation, photo Indoor flowers impatiens care at home

Balsam (Impatiens)- a houseplant familiar to all of us since childhood. The Latin name Impatiens translates as “impatiens” because the balsam seeds scatter in different directions when touched. Usually this flower is associated with childhood, because almost every grandmother had a “Spark” in her house, as it is also called. Balsam is one of the most common representatives of the genus Balsaminaceae, which has more than 600 species. The homeland of balsam is the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. The plant first appeared in Europe in 1596.

Planting balsam: choosing a location, temperature and lighting

Now let's talk a little about indoor balsam and caring for it. The balsam received one of its names - “Vanka Mokryy” - because of its “predilection” for moisture. Impatiens is an unpretentious plant. It is better to place it in a well-lit place, but so that it is not exposed to direct sunlight.

If you don’t have space on the windowsill, and you are forced to “settle” a flower in the corner, don’t despair, it will grow here too, but it won’t bloom so profusely. For the winter, it is best to place the plant on the east side, and in the summer put it on the balcony for constant access to fresh air. Do not install balsam next to a convector or radiator, as the flowers may fall off due to very dry air.

Caring for indoor balsam also includes the correct and comfortable temperature regime for the plant. Due to its origin, balsam is very thermophilic, and the most suitable temperature for it is + 18-22°C in summer and + 8-12°C in winter. If you follow the recommendations on how to care for indoor balsam, it will delight you with its color all year round. This plant begins to bloom in the first year. Impatiens are grown not only as a houseplant, but also as a garden plant.

Did you know? In England, balsam received the name “Diligent Lisa” for its ability to bloom constantly.

Choosing a pot and preparing the soil for planting

It is better to select a pot for growing balsam slightly larger than the root system of the flower. Over time, when the plant grows in a pot, crowding will not be an obstacle to abundant flowering. Many people are interested in: how to root balsam? Everything is very simple, and we will talk about this with you. The first component of good growth is soil for balsams - it should be slightly acidic, light and loose and have the following composition: 2 parts leaf soil, 1 part peat and 1 part sand.

Important! The soil for the flower should not be too fertilized, as this will lead to the growth of green mass rather than color.

An important component of soil for balsam is high-quality drainage (it is best to use expanded clay). For New Guinea balsams, you can add humus or compost to the soil.

How often to water balsam, plant care.

Indoor balsam does not require special care. Watering should be moderate. It is best to water the flower with settled water. If your water is hard, boil it, as the limescale that can form from hard water will lead to disease and wilting of the plant. It is best to water the balsam along the edge of the pot, trying not to get it on the root part.

Did you know? If you loosen the top layer of soil in the pot from time to time, your balsam flowers will look brighter.

In winter, watering balsam should be done when the top layer of the substrate is dry. In summer, the plant needs to be watered more abundantly, but drain excess water from the pan, as the roots may begin to rot due to stagnant water. Impatiens is not only a beautiful, but also a smart plant: it reports a lack of moisture with yellowing leaves.

An important component of balsam care is feeding. In the spring, when the flower begins to grow more actively, it is recommended to water it with mineral fertilizers once every 2 weeks for a month. During the period of the most abundant flowering, balsam should be watered with a nutrient solution consisting of phosphorus and calcium.

Important! Balsam fertilizer should not contain nitrogen, as it “burns out” the root system.

For proper care, indoor balsam also requires moistening: once a week, spray settled water on the leaves and flowers using a spray bottle.

Pruning and replanting "Vanka wet"

Pruning impatiens is not as complicated a process as it might seem. Flower growers recommend pruning in the spring, at the same time as replanting. If your plant has grown too much, then the shoots need to be shortened by half, while not forgetting to examine it for dried or rotten roots, which are removed at the very base of the rhizome. Impatiens can be replanted once or twice a year. If you were given a flower as a gift, or you purchased it yourself in a store, then it is advisable to replant it immediately. Fill the prepared pot with drainage, then some soil. Then carefully remove the flower from the old pot, trying not to damage the rhizome, place it in a new pot and cover it with soil, compact it.

Important! The pH of the soil should be at 5.5-6.5.

After transplanting, you need to water the plant generously and leave it alone. After 2 weeks you can start feeding the flower.

Two ways to propagate balsam

Many owners of balsam are interested in this flower and think about how to propagate the plant. There are two main ways: propagation by seeds And cuttings of balsam.

Propagation by seeds occurs in this way: for the first planting of balsam seeds, you must first use a soilless mixture, which includes peat, perlite and vermiculite. If you notice pebbles or debris in the substrate, they need to be removed. After mixing all the ingredients, wet the mixture thoroughly and mix again. Pour the seeds onto a flat surface, use a damp toothpick to “pick up” them and transfer them to the mixture.

My first balsam did not withstand improper care. It stood for only a few months on the eastern window, after which it dropped its leaves and flowers, stretched out and began to rot. Only later did I realize that he lacked light!

Balsam has been known in Russia since the 19th century. The flower was adored by urban and rural residents for its beautiful, bright flowers. Already at that time it was known what the character of balsam was and what kind of care it required.

People noticed that the flower loves moisture very much, and also releases its excess on its leaves, so it was called “Vanka-wet”; this name can still be heard from elderly lovers of house plants, as well as from flower growers from rural areas.

Another name for balsam is “light”. This name was given to the flower because it has very beautiful, bright red flowers that resemble lights.

The plant's homeland is the small island of Zanzibar off the east coast of Africa, north of Madagascar. Impatiens also grow wild in Central Africa and India. Their traditional habitat is tropical forests, where there is a lot of moisture and heat.

This explains the plant’s requirements for frequent watering and good lighting: it’s just that in its homeland the flower is accustomed to just such conditions.

Indoor balsam: care at home

The appearance of the plant is very impressive: beautiful bright flowers, succulent leaves. At the same time, the stems and leaves of the flower have a number of disadvantages: they are very fragile, even brittle, so it is difficult to replant the flower. Breeders also developed balsams with two-color buds, as well as double and semi-double.

Basic care conditions:

• Abundant watering.
• Placement on the south window.
• Access to fresh air.
• Using soft water.

Impatiens is that rare flower that can be overwatered. And nothing bad will happen. But if you dry a plant, it can quickly die. It is important to use high-quality water that has stood for 24 hours. Let there always be a large bottle of water in your house, your plants will thank you very much for it!

Remember - tap water is harmful to most green friends from the tropics.

Another requirement of the plant is a sufficient amount of fresh air. Despite this feature, balsam categorically does not tolerate drafts. During the cold season, it is very important to move the plant to a warm part of the apartment during ventilation.

Impatiens love small pots, they bloom better in them and gain green mass well. They are easily propagated using cuttings, so propagating the plant is not a problem; balsams take root well and, when optimal conditions are created, quickly grow to the desired height.

How to care for “Vanka-wet” in winter

In winter, it is better to protect “Vanka” from the cold, but do not forget that it comes from Africa. Remove the plant from the window glass and place it closer to the warm currents from the radiator.

In winter, it is important to maintain long daylight hours; you may need a phytolamp (much depends on the location of your window, its level of shading and the quality of artificial lighting in the room).

Of course, in winter watering is reduced. But not as much as is required for most plants. Even in winter, “Vanka-mokry” remains a big lover of moisture! Monitor the condition of the soil, this is the most important indicator of the need for watering. Typically, the plant is watered twice a week.

In the cold months, the plant takes a break from flowering, but after such a quality rest it begins to bloom vigorously - from the very beginning of spring until late autumn.

How to care for your fire during the summer months

Summer is the happiest time for balsam! Of course, because the conditions are becoming similar to the conditions of his native Africa. During this period, the flower requires frequent watering, every other day. But it is important to drain the water from the pan; do not leave such a “reserve” for the flower; it is better to water it again every other day.

If you leave water, you can cause the roots to rot. And this is a very bad situation, in this case it is not far from the death of the entire plant. Another rule: water the plant very carefully, in a thin stream closer to the edge of the pot, so that moisture does not get to the root area of ​​the stem; the plant does not really like this.

In summer, “Vanka” grows well in open ground; it is not afraid of either night dew or evening coolness. Even the scorching rays of the sun are not a hindrance to him. But, of course, it is better to plant balsam where there is natural shade at midday (for example, the crown of trees).

Therefore, if you have your own house or summer cottage, then you can please the plant by planting it in a flowerbed. In response to care, it will bloom magnificently and beautifully.

If dust appears on the leaves or flowers, it is better to wash the flower, because the lack of clean surfaces on the green parts of the plants does not allow the production of chlorophyll.

If strong winds occur in your area, then it is best to plant the plant next to some kind of natural shelter, because the stems of the “wisp” are very fragile. In autumn, the plant returns to the pot on the windowsill.

Flower growers often call balsam “light”, or even “wet Vanka”. But in reality its name is translated differently: “touchy.” This name was given to it because when the seeds ripen, the boxes with them burst when the wind blows.

Over 500 types of balsam are known, among them there are annual and perennial varieties.

Annuals decorate flower beds with white, pink, red and orange flowers. The garden balsam flower is very popular.

Perennials are grown at home, and they can bloom throughout the year. The colors are very different - perhaps there are only blue, yellow and black balsams.

Most often, the following varieties are bred at home:

Waller's balsam- a rather tall plant, stems can reach 60 cm. Small leaves are brightly colored, flowers are collected in inflorescences.

Peters' balsam– distinguished by leaves with a bronze tint. The flowers are bright red.

Iron balsam– there are tight joints near the base of the sheet. An annual variety that can be grown both in the garden and at home. Reaches 1.5-2 m in height. The flowers are pink and scarlet.

New Guinea balsam- a tall, strong plant. The flowers of the hybrid are white, red, purple.

The principles of caring for all varieties are general.

Features of cultivation

Balsam can rightfully be called a sissy. If you purchased this indoor plant and want it to regularly delight you with beautiful flowers, you will have to comply with a number of conditions.

Impatiens loves the sun. Therefore, it is advisable to place the pot near a window facing south. But in the summer, when the sun's rays can scorch the tender leaves, balsam is protected from bright light.

The flower cannot stand the cold. In winter, you need to make sure that the leaves do not touch the cold glass, and when airing, remove the balsam away.

The flower pot requires a small one. Otherwise, the balsam will grow, but will not bloom.

Watering is needed abundantly. It is no coincidence that the plant was nicknamed “Wet Vanka”. The soil should always be moist.

You should look carefully to see if the flower is sick? Even if only a few leaves are damaged, if the necessary measures are not taken, the disease will immediately spread to the remaining leaves and stems, and the plant will die.

When something is wrong, the flower immediately signals it. The stem stretches, the leaves fall off, and flowering stops. Think about what the balsam lacks and correct the situation.

Home care

In order to admire a beautiful flower for as long as possible, a number of conditions must be observed.

Soil requirements

It is advisable to plant balsam in light, nutritious soil. You can buy it in a specialized store. Any one designed for flowering plants will do.

If you filled the pot, say, with soil taken from your plot, and it turned out to be heavy and clayey, then there will be few flowers, unlike leaves.

There are requirements for the amount of soil. Often, novice gardeners buy the largest pots so that the plant has more space. But the balsam will not be grateful for this. It will begin to grow its root system in order to “take over” the entire space, but it will stop blooming. Therefore, choose a compact pot.

Another option is to plant several balsam cuttings of different colors in a large pot. Then, at the time of flowering, you will have a beautiful bouquet on your windowsill.

Feed the plant twice a month.

Optimal conditions of detention

The subtropical plant loves warmth, so it is advisable to maintain a temperature in the room of +20-25 C. Even in winter it should not fall below +16 C.

Impatiens also need moist air. This applies both in summer, when the room is hot, and in winter, when the central heating radiators are running. It’s good if there is a vessel with water next to the pot. The moisture will evaporate and maintain the desired microclimate.

As for the choice of location, any window except the northern one is suitable for balsam. The flower is very light-loving.

Watering a flower

Impatiens love water very much, and the biggest test for a flower is drought. The conclusion from this is that a bottle of settled water at room temperature should always be ready.

It is advisable to place drainage at the very bottom of the pot. They do this so that the moisture does not stagnate and the roots do not rot. A deep tray is also required. When watering, make sure that the earthen ball is completely saturated and that excess moisture ends up in the pan. There is no need to drain it. Balsam will “drink” this water as needed.

In summer, the plant is watered more often - every other day; in winter, watering is reduced by a third.

Normally, after each watering, small droplets of water appear on the leaves, which then dry out, and “sugar” remains.

If the balsam leaves fade, you can try watering the plant generously. In some cases this helps and the appearance of the flower improves.

Feeding and fertilizer

In winter, balsam is almost not fed. He is transferred to “enhanced nutrition” in the spring. It is recommended to use fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. They are applied once every 2 weeks, especially during the period of active flowering.

During the cold season, you can add a little nitrogen fertilizer. They will not stimulate the process of bud formation, but impatiens will produce dense foliage and will look beautiful.

Carrying out pruning

Impatiens are pruned throughout their life. If a flower is grown from a seed, then as soon as the seven-lobed leaves appear, the top of the central shoot is pinched. Then side shoots will begin to develop, and the balsam will be formed in such a way that it will look beautiful in a hanging pot.

If you want to form a “tree,” you should wait until the stem of the young plant becomes woody. Then you can carefully trim off all the lower leaves and pinch the main shoot. It is advisable to sprinkle the cut areas with crushed coal. Over time, side shoots will form.

The plant that has undergone pruning is fed with fertilizers. You can use urea and vermicompost.

How to replant correctly?

Balsam is replanted in the spring. After this, it seems to come to life: new shoots form and flowering begins. If in the summer the plant becomes too elongated and there are few leaves left, you can replant it a second time in the fall. This should be done when flowering has already completed.

If you make the soil yourself, you need to mix in equal parts: garden soil, peat and river sand. Before planting, water the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect it. If you purchased ready-made soil from a specialized store, you do not need to do this.

Choose a small pot, or plant several plants in a large container at once. It is important that within a short time the roots completely entwine the earthen ball - only then can the balsam bloom.

Balsam propagation

Propagating indoor balsam will not be difficult. Even novice flower growers can cope with this.

The plant can be grown from seeds. The general rules apply to balsam: the seeds are planted in a box with any ready-made soil intended for indoor flowers, watered and covered with film. After the emergence of seedlings, the film is removed and the young plants are planted in separate pots.

But this method is more often used for annual balsams that will grow in flower beds. Houseplants are usually propagated by cuttings.

The top is cut off from a healthy bush. The length of the cutting with several internodes should be about 10 cm. The cutting is placed in a jar of water (it is advisable that no leaves get in there to avoid rotting). After about 2 weeks, or even earlier, roots will begin to appear.

After this, the cuttings are transplanted into a small pot. Water as needed with settled water at room temperature. If plaque appears on the surface of the earth, it means the water is too hard.

Another propagation option is layering. Choose a strong branch and break off the lowest leaves on it. Then 1/3 of it is grounded. The soil should be light and loose - the surface should not be allowed to form a crust.

The soil must be kept moist and loosened periodically. You can cover the layering with film.

It is better to propagate balsam in the spring, then in the summer it will delight you with flowering.

Disease and pest control

Impatiens can get sick quite easily. Spider mites are especially dangerous for him. This pest is a companion to drought, so the best preventative measure is to humidify the air in the room and water the flower well.

But excessive moisture is also harmful - sciarids appear in the soil. In this case, the plant is replanted and watering is reduced.

If the appearance of the leaves is alarming - the color fades or the leaves dry out and begin to fall off - you need to think about what the plant is missing. Maybe light? Or is the room too cold? Is the potty too small? An attentive owner will come to the right conclusion and fix the problem.

Impatiens is an unusually beautiful plant, and if you follow simple care rules, it will regularly delight you with abundant flowering.

“Vanka impatiens”, “Ogonyok”, this is the name of balsam, this folk flower is grown at home on the windowsill and in the garden, in a flower bed, in flowerpots or in balcony boxes. Impatiens are perennial plants, but they come from the warm tropics, so they are planted outside as annual flowers, which delight with abundant and long-lasting flowering all summer long without rest.

The simplest and fastest growing type is balsam or garden balsam. . This plant forms a straight thick stem, 30 to 70 cm high, which branches poorly without pinching. Succulent lanceolate-shaped leaves sit densely on the stem from the base to the crown. The flowers are large, up to 4 cm in diameter, open in the axils of the leaves, but lush greenery hides the main beauty of the flowering of this balsam. Garden balsam flowers bloom as they grow from the base of the stem to the crown, the second disadvantage is that the stems stretch and the plant loses its decorative appearance. Garden balsam flowers come in different colors, they can be double, they can be of different shapes - rose-shaped, camellia-shaped.

There are many varieties of garden balsam. The Tom Thumb seed mixture is popular: compact plants up to 30 cm high have large flowers up to 5 cm, with different colors - white, pink, lilac, violet, carmine.

A more popular type of balsam as an indoor and garden crop is Waller's balsam. At home, this flower will please the eye for several years, and for open ground, balsam seedlings are grown from seeds or obtained from cuttings. The main stem of Waller's balsam branches so that it forms a spherical bush up to 50 cm high. Waller's balsam blooms as an indoor flower all year round; due to its long flowering, this plant is well suited for decorating flower beds, flowerpots and balcony boxes. Bright balsam flowers flash like lights among the lush greenery all summer. There are many varieties and series of Waller's balsam, they differ in the shape and color of the flowers.

Recently, a new species began to appear on sale - New Guinea balsam . This species has not yet become widespread, but is already becoming popular. New Guinea balsam and Waller's balsam are similar, but if you place them side by side, the former has larger flowers up to 6 cm in diameter, the leaves are longer and can be of different colors, light green or reddish. New Guinea balsam is also perfect for growing at home on a windowsill and in the garden for decorating flower beds and flowerpots.

Impatiens planting and care:

All balsams love warmth , pay attention to their watery, juicy greens, which will die with minimal frost, and at home, balsam leaves will quickly turn black in winter in a draft from an open window. Keep balsams warm at a temperature of at least +18 degrees, plant them in open ground in early summer, when there is no threat of frost.

Impatiens bloom luxuriantly only in good light , but without the midday sun. In the garden, balsams look great in openwork partial shade, under the crowns of tall trees, and at home it is better to place them on an eastern or western window.

Garden balsam is grown only from seeds. , since the plant quickly outgrows and stretches, losing its decorative shape, it is rarely used as an indoor flower. You can sow garden balsam for seedlings at the end of April or at the end of May directly into the ground. The shoots of this balsam appear quickly; after soaking the seeds, the sprouts will appear on the 3-4th day and after a month the young plants produce their first flowers.

Waller's balsam and New Guinea balsam are easier to propagate by rooting cuttings than to grow from seeds. Seeds of these two species should be sown for seedlings in February, but no later than March. Keep the crops warm at a temperature of +21 to +24 degrees, at high humidity, under a film, then seedlings will appear in 2 weeks. After the formation of several true leaves, balsam seedlings are planted in separate cups or small pots, and at the beginning of summer they are planted in a flower bed.

Impatiens love nutritious and loose soil, slightly acidic. . Balsams need to be watered regularly so that the soil is always slightly moist, but water stagnation in the soil should not be allowed; because of this, balsams often suffer from rotting of the base of the stem.

For lush flowering, feed balsams every two weeks. using fertilizers for flowering plants. Balsam bushes need to be formed by pinching the tops of the shoots, giving them a spherical shape.

At the end of summer, before the onset of cold weather, Waller's balsam and New Guinea balsam can be transplanted into pots and grown indoors until spring. In the spring in March or April, all the branches of balsams in pots can be cut into cuttings; they quickly take root in water, sand, perlite or loose soil. Plants from cuttings bloom within a month after transplanting into the ground.

Waller's impatiens (Impatiens walleriana), also known as "impatiens" is a herbaceous plant of the impatiens family, with wide, alternate serrated leaves of a dark green or reddish color, about 60 cm high.

The birthplace of balsam is the tropical zones of Africa and Asia, and since 1596 it has become widespread in Europe and America. Its flowers, simple or double, are arranged singly and have a bright palette of various shades, except yellow and blue. After the bud fades, the plant forms a fruit-box, which easily opens, releasing a large number of small seeds.

Impatiens is a fast-growing perennial that blooms most of the year. When propagated already in the third month after germination, balsam produces the first flowering.

Also be sure to check out how to grow at home.

	The growth rate is high.
	Blooms from early winter to early spring.
	The plant is easy to grow.
	It is a perennial plant.

Caring for balsam at home. Briefly

At home, balsam is a fairly simple and low-maintenance flower. Basic rules for keeping balsam:

Balsam: care at home Details

Impatiens flowering

In favorable conditions, balsam flowering continues almost all year round, from early spring until December. Its flowers, with a diameter of 4 to 6 cm, depending on the variety, can be single, with spurs, few-flowered, in the form of axillary inflorescences, and sometimes located on elongated pedicels. The rich color palette of the plant allows it to be used as a decorative decoration for rooms, balconies, and terraces.

In addition, balsam is often planted on the site as a garden annual.

Before rain or after heavy watering, balsam leaves secrete transparent drops of juice, which, after drying, turn into sugary crystals. Under natural conditions, this protects the plant's pollen from ants.

Flowers of ampelous varieties of balsam look great in hanging flower pots and flowerpots.

Temperature

Homemade balsam feels most comfortable in moderately warm conditions.– without drafts, hot temperatures and dry air. In the summer, it is favorable for it to be on non-sunny glazed loggias and balconies; in winter, it is better to place it in a moderately lit room with a temperature of 15-18 ºС.

Spraying

The balsam plant at home loves high humidity and it can only be ensured in hot summer conditions by regularly spraying the plant. To do this, use soft, settled water, spraying moisture onto the ground and leaves, avoiding contact with the flowers.

Lighting

This is an extremely light-loving plant, but it should be protected from the scorching sun. East windows and places with soft sunlight are perfect. In winter, additional lighting is provided for at least 14 hours a day using special lamps.

With the onset of the rest period, illumination should be reduced.

Watering balsam

Water the flower exactly as much as is required to completely moisten the soil. If you allow the earthen ball with its root system to dry out, the balsam drops its buds and the edges of the leaves dry out. In winter, the amount of water should be reduced, but still not allowing the soil to dry out.

For irrigation, softened, as well as rain or melt water heated slightly above room temperature is used.

Balsam pot

For regular abundant flowering of balsam, it is placed in a medium-sized, even slightly cramped flower pot. As a rule, this is a container with a diameter of 17 cm, which will allow the flower to direct its forces specifically to the formation of buds, and not to the development of the root system. In addition, pots that are too large cause rot on the roots due to acidification of the soil.

Priming

At home, balsam takes root well in universal soil, but slightly acidic soil of the following composition is also used:

• turf land (1 part)
• sand or perlite (1 part)
• leaf soil (3 parts)

Regardless of the type of soil, a drainage layer consisting of charcoal or expanded clay is required.

Feeding and fertilizer

Impatiens will benefit from liquid phosphorus-potassium mineral fertilizers, which will support the plant during the growing season and ensure lush growth and flowering. These products are fed once every 10 days, through watering or spraying. Impatiens does not tolerate organic additives.

Also, you should not fertilize the flower during the dormant period or during illness.

Transfer

Balsam is transplanted annually in spring into small containers of regular size. More often, the transfer method is used, in which the flower bush is carefully removed from the pot without shaking off the soil at the roots, then placed in a new container, followed by filling the resulting voids with new soil.

The root collar of the plant is not covered with soil. After watering, the newly planted balsam is placed in the shade and taken out to its usual place only after three days.

During the flowering period, balsam cannot be replanted, otherwise it will shed existing buds and stop growing.

How to prune balsam?

Caring for balsam at home also involves pruning the shoots of the plant, which is carried out simultaneously with replanting. This is necessary not only to form a neat spherical shape, but also to rejuvenate the plant, stimulating its growth and flowering.

In addition to pruning, bare elongated shoots are regularly pinched, leaving 3 buds on the branch. Cuttings can be placed in water for rooting.

Rest period

The rest period for balsam is often forced. In sunny regions with a mild climate, the plant can bloom all year round. And in cold areas, the flower goes to a shaded place for the winter from October or December to February.

Conditions of detention during this period: air temperature not higher than 15-18 ºС, moderate watering, excluding fertilizing and spraying.

Growing balsam from seeds

One of the features of this flower is the ripening of the capsule fruit, which cracks upon any contact from the outside, releasing many seeds that remain viable for up to 8 years. The soil for sowing must be sifted and disinfected. This can be either just a peat-sand mixture, or a substrate of garden soil mixed with sand. Usually sowing is carried out in April-May, but some varieties of balsam, for example, New Guinea hybrid, can be sown as early as January.

Technique for sowing balsam seeds:

• the prepared substrate is laid out in small containers and moistened with a spray bottle;
• the seeds are laid out on the surface of the ground so that the distance between them is about 3-4 cm;
• It is not recommended to sprinkle the seeds completely, only lightly with sand or sifted soil;
• After moistening the crops, greenhouse conditions are created.

After 5-15 days you can expect the plant to sprout. When they reach a size of 1 cm, having a pair of full leaves, this is an indicator that it is time to dive.

In order to admire the flowering of young balsam in the summer, it is worth sowing seedlings in early March.

Propagation of balsam by cuttings

The easiest and fastest way to propagate balsam is by plant cuttings. For this purpose, in May-June, strong, healthy flower specimens are briefly placed in the shade. As soon as the bush produces several elongated shoots, they are cut off and rooted in water.

Then they are planted in separate containers with a slightly acidic soil mixture. Thus, the flower can be propagated at any time of the year. A plant grown in summer blooms even in winter.

It is worth remembering that young plants need bright lighting, otherwise the sprouts will stretch out greatly without gaining strength and color.

Diseases and pests

When keeping balsam, gardeners often encounter the following problems:

Balsam pests include spider mites, false scale insects, thrips, and aphids and whiteflies are also common.

Types and varieties of homemade balsam with photos and names

Waller's balsam, or Waller's impatiens, or Waller's impatiens, "impatiens", "Roly-wet", "light", "water fuchsia", (Impatiens hostii, Impatiens walleriana, Impatiens sultanii) - all these are the names of one plant species, which is the source of a numerous series of hybrids. This type is characterized by long and abundant flowering, axillary inflorescences with five petals, finely toothed leaves 12 cm long.

Popular varieties and groups of Waller's balsam

Balsam Series ‘Accent F1’. Miniature plants 15-20 cm high, with large flowers of a wide variety of colors.

Balsam Series ‘Tempo F1 Hybrid’. The length of the plant's stem ranges from 20 to 25 cm. It is characterized by early vegetation with orange and pink flowers.

Balsam Series ‘Stardust F, Mixed’. It has richly colored inflorescences with petals edged in deep red, pink or coral.

Balsam Series ‘Bruno F1’. The very first series of flowers with a doubled set of chromosomes. The variety is characterized by high resistance to temperature changes, larger flowers with a diameter of 6 cm, and early seed germination.

Balsam Series ‘Firefly’. The plant is a neat, abundantly flowering bush with flowers of purple, scarlet, and peach shades, hiding greenery behind it.

Balsam Series ‘Fiesta F1’. It is distinguished by a more branched structure, as well as double one-color or two-color rosette flowers.

New Guinea balsam is a hybrid of Impatiens balsam with a stem height of 30 cm and single flowers with a diameter of 7-8 cm and having spurs.

Popular varieties of New Guinea balsam

Balsam series ‘Java’. It has inflorescences of bright “tropical” color framed by rich green foliage.

Balsam series ‘Jangle Rain’. Produces flowers in delicate pastel colors.

Balsam series ‘Rainforest Exotic’. Bicolor variety with dark green foliage.