Indoor Balsam - care at home. Plants that look like balsam Flowers that look like balsam what are they called

Impatiens, also known as impatiens, came to us from the tropics and subtropics. In its natural environment it grows in Africa and Asia, but the island of Zanzibar is most famous for it. He was nicknamed “Vanka the Wet.” This is due to the fact that spots of thick sugary liquid appear on the edges of the leaves. “Touch-me-not” - due to the property of its ripe capsules, it throws out seeds even when accidentally touched. Impatiens actively grows in apartments and is used to decorate the interiors of houses, for landscaping terraces and balconies, and for making holiday bouquets.

General characteristics

Impatiens is a herbaceous perennial, less often an annual plant. Its shoots are straight, erect and succulent, the leaves are bright, fleshy, jagged, oval or lanceolate, and can have a bronze cast. Delicate flowers are hidden in leaf axils and can be of any shade, from pink to blue or yellow. Combined with simple care and ease of propagation, this has made balsam surprisingly popular among gardeners around the world.

Balsam was brought to Europe towards the end of the 16th century, and it quickly won its place in the hearts of landscapers. The period of intense flowering lasts from spring to late autumn. If the conditions are favorable, balsam can bloom even for a whole year.

Variegated and colorful balsam harmonizes well with various garden annuals.

Types of balsam

In nature, there are hundreds of varieties and subspecies of the Balsaminaceae genus. These are not only herbaceous varieties, but also shrubs. In mid-latitude apartments, several specific varieties and carefully bred selective hybrids are used. They are brighter, more beautiful, more compact, bloom longer and more intensely.

One of the most famous and popular species. It is low, up to 20, and maximum up to 50 cm, bushy, spherical in shape. Bright leaves are a wide oval. They can be not only green, but also reddish or brownish. Single flowers are bright, but small. In some varieties they are collected in small asymmetrical inflorescences on high stalks. It is on the basis of Waller that the main types of hybrids that are now common in culture and economy are derived.

The annual erect, medium-growing balsam grows up to 70 cm. Its smooth stems actively branch, but are easy to break at the node levels. Large, pointed leaves look interesting because of their irregular shape. The flowers of garden varieties are just as large. They can be regular or terry, and the range of shades varies from white to purple.

This is the most common balsam in nature, which grows near shaded streams and springs in forests. The tall, straight annual is distinguished by the unusual shape of its bright yellow flower: it is asymmetrical and seems to droop. Common impatiens form continuous thickets. IN folk medicine it is used as an anti-inflammatory component.

Interesting herbaceous variety arrived from humid Sri Lanka. It has two distinct features: a reddish tint and long shoots that spread and quickly fill the space. The heart-shaped leaves also make an impression. Lonely growing flowers are small, bright sunny color. Creeping balsam feels great in houses and apartments.

Small-flowered balsam differs in size from ordinary balsam. It is miniature and bright. In terms of growth and reproduction speed, it is more of an aggressive weed than an ornamental seedling. In addition to ordinary flowers, it also has small cleistogamous ones, which are much less demanding of external conditions.

An annual, two-meter tall balsam with branched, knotty stems. Large leaves grow up to 15 cm and are collected in rosettes of several pieces. The name of the species comes from their shape: at the base there are two noticeable glands. Umbrella inflorescences are collected from large simple flowers. This is a garden variety that blooms by mid-summer and lasts until noticeable frost.

This is a broad category of hybrids based on Hawker's balsam. Basically, these are tall bushy perennials, but there are also miniature varieties. This balsam was specially bred as decorative. Colorful flowers delight almost the whole year, and they are larger than traditional species. The leaves are multi-colored, fleshy, and also very decorative. New Guinea hybrids fit perfectly into terraces and decorate windless, sun-drenched gardens.

Homemade balsam is truly versatile and undemanding. He loves sun and light, but not overheating. Feel free to leave it on the windowsill, but do not forget about protection from direct sunlight during the peak hot season. The ideal place in the garden is light partial shade under the trees.

The perennial plant tolerates winter, but you need to take proper care of it: maintain the temperature above +15 and reduce watering. Optimal summer temperature is +20…+22C. The minimum limit for life activity is +13C. In summer, take home flowerpots out into the fresh air so they can breathe. They can even be transplanted into open ground until the season ends.

The ideal soil is moderately loose and light. In weak soils, the flower cannot take root firmly. Food is moderate. An excess of fertilizing leads to the fact that the leaves begin to grow intensively to the detriment of flowering. Additives used include turf, compost, humus, expanded clay or perlite.

In hot weather, constantly moisten the soil. At temperatures above +20°, spray balsam a couple of times a day, but do not water the flowers themselves. To prevent the root from rotting, immediately drain excess water from the pan.

Water for irrigation is ideally settled and always soft. Too hard leads to increased soil alkalinity. A plaque appears on top and the plant becomes sick.

Carefully loosen the soil from time to time to ensure access to oxygen. Complex fertilizers are applied in the spring approximately 2 times a month. During flowering, add phosphorus and potassium. Stop adding supplements at the end of August. After transplantation, the first feeding is at least 3 weeks later.

In spring, be sure to cut back the overgrown balsam by about half. The tops of long, healthy shoots can be pinched to allow new ones to develop. Remove weak, painful and improperly growing branches periodically throughout the season.

Transplantation and propagation

It is better to buy ready-made healthy seedlings in pots right away. At home, balsam is almost never grown from seeds. This takes a long time, and for some varieties it is also problematic to preserve species characteristics. When purchasing, you can even look for flowers with buds, thus deciding in advance on the shade of flowering.

The plant needs to be replanted regularly due to its intensive growth. A cramped pot is a common cause of leaves falling off, but in a spacious and large one, all resources go to the development of the root system, which is why the above-ground part hardly grows or blooms.

For propagation, the cutting method is used. Cut off healthy shoots in early autumn, then immediately immerse them in a moist substrate or simply in water until they take root. After that - a pick. The further procedure is simple: keep warm in winter, and plant in a permanent place in spring.

If you still want to start planting seeds, you need to sow them in early spring. A greenhouse effect is created for the boxes. After a season, seedlings can be transplanted. In order for the balsam to bloom by May, seedlings will have to be taken care of from mid-winter.

Balsam is replanted in spring or summer. It is advisable that it be a little cramped in the new pot - then it blooms most intensely. When replanting, also do some pruning to encourage the growth of new shoots. Young plants are replanted and handled annually. For three-year-olds and older, it is enough to periodically update them by rooting apical cuttings.

Pest and disease control

The main problems are aphids, whiteflies and spider mite. This is a common problem with both garden and home balsam. Also remember that at the wrong temperature and humidity, all kinds of fungal infections develop.

If the leaves of an impatiens fall off, most likely the flower lacks warmth and systematic care. If the plant withers, pay attention to the frequency of watering. Weak flowering indicates improper feeding or soil. Due to lack of light, balsam almost does not bloom, but it grows intensely.

Balsam is afraid of drafts. It also does not tolerate acidic soil. Because of it, bacteriosis develops. If black spots appear, treat the soil with antibiotics.

Another interesting feature of impatiens is that varieties with dark colors are more durable and unpretentious than those with light colors.

Balsam - photo

Still haven’t decided where to plant balsam so that it grows healthy and delights with its beauty? Especially for you, we have collected a selection of photographs with interesting and creative ideas for inspiration.

Impatiens (Impatiens) "IMPATIENS" - perennial herbaceous plant with succulent erect shoots, bright leaves and numerous delicate flowers. In this article we will talk about caring for homemade balsam, tell you about the different varieties of New Guinea balsam and Waller's balsam and bring to your attention photos of balsam varieties from different variety groups.

Thanks to easy care, easy propagation and long-term flowering, indoor balsam has long been one of the favorite home plants of gardeners around the world. This is evidenced by numerous affectionate names: “Ogonyok” in Russia, “Busy Lizzie” in England, “zealous Lisa” (“Fleisiges Lieschen”) in Germany and the work of breeders to develop new varieties.

The Latin name of the genus Impatiens is formed by the prefix im - “not”, and patiens - “bearing, withstanding pressure” and is associated with characteristic feature ripe fruit-pods - they open, shooting out seeds, at the slightest touch to them.

Varieties of indoor Waller's balsam

Tempo F1 Hybrid Series- the plants are larger (up to 25 cm high), but also compact, flowering early. In this series, the balsam varieties are apricot and pink in color.

Stardust F1 Mixed Series- in plants of this series, the flower petals seem to be silvered at the base, and along the edge they have a wide orange, scarlet or dark pink border.

Bruno FT series- plants of this series thanks genetic engineering strong (up to 30 cm tall), blooming profusely, easily tolerating various unfavorable factors; the flowers are very large (up to 6 cm in diameter), the seedlings grow quickly and bloom early. There are four varieties in the series with white, red, purple and lilac-pink colors.

Firefly Series- small plants (up to 25 cm in height) captivate not with their size, but with the abundance of flowers and palette of colors (there are varieties of indoor impatiens with purple, lilac-pink, orange and other colors).

Series "Fiesta FT"- compact, densely branching plants (about 30 cm tall) with double, bright single-color or two-color flowers.

New Guinea balsam: varieties and their photos

Impatiens Cultivarus Neuguinea group impatiens are perennial bushy plants obtained by complex crossings of several species. All varieties of New Guinea balsam have more juicy, abundantly branched shoots, larger and fleshier leaves, usually two- or multi-colored.

Pay attention to the photo of New Guinea balsam - its flowers are larger than those of traditional species, very bright, with a characteristic spur at the bottom.

Java Series- flowers of bright “tropical” color and shiny leaves of green or bronze color.

Series "Jangle Rain"- this series of New Guinea balsam is characterized by more delicate, pastel colors.

"Paradise" series- the flowers are bright, of various colors and shades, the leaves are lanceolate, dark or bright green, there are varieties with variegated foliage.

Rainforest Exotic Series- flowers of various colors, one- or two-tone.

Creeping balsam is also widely cultivated in home floriculture.

This perennial herbaceous plant from the shady and humid forests of Sri Lanka, impatiens repens, has long creeping shoots of a reddish color, small heart-shaped leaves and single bright yellow flowers (up to 3 cm in diameter). This type of balsam can be found as a ground cover plant.

Caring for homemade balsam

Impatiens, especially hybrid varieties, are easy plants to grow. They are undemanding in terms of lighting - they can grow in lung conditions shading and in bright sun, but the bush will form best, and flowering will be abundant in diffused light. The air temperature in winter is not lower than + 10...+ 15 ° C and bright sun.

Caring for balsam at home involves regular, abundant watering, but without stagnation of water, spraying is advisable; in winter - moderate. From spring to autumn, regular fertilizing with potassium fertilizers is required twice a month. Hybrid varieties do not need to form a crown, their shoots themselves branch well, but periodic renewal of plants may be required, since the stems become bare with age.

Indoor balsams are widely used both for decorating rooms and for landscaping balconies, loggias, and terraces. Abundantly flowering bushes are wonderful “living bouquets” for any holiday.

Most plant varieties were bred by breeders in the mid-20th century. They first appeared on the shelves of US flower shops in the 1950s. However, some varieties were popular already in early XIX century. The most famous of them is Waller's balsam. It has been known since the century before last not only in Europe and America, but also in Russia.

Appearance and features

Appearance:

Different varieties differ from each other in:

  • Stem length (tall – 30–60 cm, medium – 15–30 cm, dwarf – 10–20 cm).
  • Leaf color (light green, dark green, variegated).
  • Shape of the bush (bush,).
  • Color and shape of flowers.
  • Growing conditions (and indoors).

Description and photos of varieties

Waller

(Impatiens walleriana) is a heat-loving perennial . Based on this variety, many hybrids have been bred.

The shape of the bush is spherical, the stems are succulent, thick, and strongly branched. The color of the stem can vary from red-brown to green.

Flowers are located at the tips of the stems and are:

  • red;
  • orange;
  • salmon;
  • white;
  • pink.

The shape of the flower resembles a rose. Some varieties are bi-colored. The plant blooms for a long time.

Athena

The Athena variety is a medium-sized variety, has a spreading ampelous bush, suitable for growing in hanging baskets and flower pots. The flower loves the south side, partial shade and light nutritious soil.

The plant is moisture-loving, but does not tolerate waterlogging and drafts.. The variety has large double flowers resembling carnations (diameter 5 cm).

Flowers are: red, pale pink, coral. The plant blooms profusely and for a long time.

The height of a houseplant is 10–15 cm, a garden plant – 25–30. This variety is not planted in windy places.


Where and how to plant?

Basic landing rules:

  1. Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the container.
  2. When replanting, parts of the old root system should be cut off.
  3. The pruning tool must be disinfected and sharp.
  4. Treat the sections with crushed activated carbon.
  5. After the procedure, the plant is placed in a dark place for 2–3 days.

Plants should not be replanted during flowering.

Lighting and location

The best option is a shaded, windless place. Terry balsam is very heat-loving, but does not tolerate direct sunlight, wind and drafts. Therefore, the best place for it is a slope where the sun is several hours a day. The best place the house has western or eastern windows.

The most destructive thing for a plant is frost!

Soil requirements

The soil must be loose, water-permeable and breathable, disinfected. This is done using a fungicide or potassium permanganate; you can steam the soil in the oven. Some gardeners advise sifting the soil before planting. A suitable acidity level is 6.0–6.5 units. Heavy clay soils are not suitable for the flower.

The best option is a mixture of leaf and turf soil, peat, humus and river sand. The components are taken in equal parts.

Home care rules

Conditions


Optimal air temperature is + 20–22 during the day and +18–20 at night. In cold weather - not lower than 15 degrees. The plant should also not be allowed to overheat.

If the flower is on a southern windowsill, the window should be shaded with a translucent curtain.

The room in which it is located terry balsam, should be ventilated daily. IN winter time The plant is illuminated with a phytolamp. Spraying is allowed only if the temperature exceeds +20 degrees.

Watering

The plant loves moisture; it is regularly watered in spring, summer and autumn; watering is reduced in winter. In this case, you should avoid drying out the soil. Also, the soil should not be allowed to become waterlogged, as this can lead to the development of root rot. For irrigation use melted or settled water. Water the flower using a watering can along the edge of the pot so that water does not get on the flowers and the root collar. When the air temperature exceeds +22 degrees, the plant should be sprayed daily.

Fertilizers

From May to September the plant is fertilized 2 times a month. To do this, use complex fertilizers for ornamental flowering plants. indoor plants. Preference is given to drugs with a predominance of phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are not recommended, as the plants will bloom poorly. The concentration of the drug is reduced by half compared to the dose recommended on the package. In winter, fertilizing is not carried out.

Fertilizers for growing terry balsam are always applied only after watering.

Trimming

Trim terry varieties of balsam in early spring. This promotes flowering and the formation of a lush bush. If molding is not required, then lightly pinch the tops. Dying flowers, leaves, and sluggish shoots are also removed. From time to time the plant is rejuvenated. To do this, cut off the tops 15–20 cm high and root them in wet sand. After the roots have formed, old plants are replaced with young ones. Experts recommend pruning in several stages so that the plants are not stressed.

Diseases and pests

Powdery mildew


It brings maximum growth to plants.

Development of the disease:

  • The appearance of a white coating on the back of the leaves.
  • The leaves turn black, curl and fall off.
  • New leaves practically do not appear.
  • The plant dies.

Treatment takes place in two stages:

  1. Trimming affected areas to healthy tissue.
  2. Treatment of plants with fungicides.

Gray rot

Characteristic features:

  • The shoot turns brown.
  • The plant becomes lethargic.
  • The stem dies, and then the rest of the plant.

Fighting the disease:

  1. Removing all infected areas of the plant.
  2. Spraying with fungicide or copper-soap solution.

Prevention:

  • Removing dead leaves and buds.
  • Regular ventilation of the room.
  • Correct lighting.
  • Soil moisture.
  • Decrease in temperature.

Spider mite

Signs of damage are specks on the leaves, which increase over time and become large spots.

Struggle:

  1. Removing affected parts of the plant.
  2. Treatment with insecticides “Akarin” or “Molniya”.

Thrips


Larvae and adult insects suck out the cell sap from the plant, as a result of which it weakens and dies.

Symptoms of appearance:

  • Yellow spots, stripes, roughness on the leaves.
  • Death of plant tissue.
  • Wilting and falling leaves.
  • Curvature of stems.

Struggle:

  1. Treatment of plants with insecticides (Fitoverm, Vertimek, Aktelik).
  2. Mechanical cleaning of insects using a soap solution and a sponge.

Features of reproduction

Terry balsam is propagated both by seeds and cuttings.

Propagation by cuttings

Before this, a cutting with 2-3 internodes is taken from a healthy mother plant and placed in a glass of water for 2 weeks.

After the sprout produces roots, transplant it into a small pot. Such a flower will be an exact copy of the mother plant and will bloom more often.

Sowing seeds

This happens in late February - early March. Algorithm:

  1. The seeds are soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes.
  2. Sow in a specially prepared container with moist soil.
  3. The seeds are covered with sterile sand (layer thickness 3 mm).
  4. The container is covered with a plastic bag.
  5. After which it is placed in a warm place until germination.
  6. Seedlings are moistened and ventilated daily. To ventilate, open the greenhouse for 30 minutes.
  7. After the appearance of the first two or three leaves, the seedlings are plucked and planted in small pots with a diameter of 8–10 cm.

The main advantage of terry balsam is its unpretentiousness. This plant is perfect for beginning gardeners. Another plus is decorativeness and versatility. Such a flower can become a decoration not only at home, but also personal plot, balcony, dacha. And due to its long flowering, it always looks harmonious and fits into any composition.

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Origin: historical Balsam is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa. Family: balsamaceae.

The story tells of the appearance of balsam in Great Britain in the 16th century. It was presented to Queen Elizabeth I as a flower with “sugar tears” frozen on it. This flower first appeared in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century.

Short description: Balsam (lat. Impatiens) is a herbaceous plant. Its stems sometimes reach a height of 50-60 cm. The leaves are lanceolate with serrated edges. After flowering, a fruit is formed - a juicy multi-seeded capsule.

For its some features, the common people received some other names for balsam, such as: “Vanka wet” (due to the droplets of water that appear on the leaves), “Ogonyok” (thanks to bright flowers).

Appearance and features

According to some sources, the genus balsam contains up to 500 plants. They are divided into 3 groups:

  1. Traditional - a type of plant with white, red and pink colors with green leaves and spreading stems.
  2. First generation hybrids are miniature plants with a large mass of flowers. Orange is added to the colors.
  3. Hybrids with variegated leaves.

Impatiens with double flowers can be:

  • Dianthus.
  • Rose-shaped.
  • Camelliaceae.

Varieties with photos

It has a number of advantages, one of which is versatility.

On a note. These flowers can be used to decorate not only window sills in houses, but also balconies, flower beds and flower beds.

Has a long flowering period. And unpretentiousness in cultivation complements the list of all advantages.

Double balsam flowers can have different colors: orange, coral, crimson, purple, salmon, red, etc. Some of them have two-tone colors and variegated leaves.

Photo of Waller's balsam.





More nuances about Waller's balsam can be found in.

Athena

The pink-shaped flowers of this variety can be of different colors: soft pink, coral, red. Some species may be two-colored, such as the unusual red and white coloration. Their size is 4-5 cm. The height in the pot reaches 15 cm, on garden plot– up to 30 cm. The plant is compact and blooms for a long time.

Look at the photo of what Athena balsam looks like in pink, red and other colors.






Growing instructions

To grow on a windowsill, the cutting method is most often used, and the shoot that has taken root is transplanted into a pot with prepared soil. Planting balsam in open ground is carried out after frost in the following way:

  1. Before planting seedlings, you first need to water them generously in the pot.
  2. Dig a hole and place humus and fertilizer in it.
  3. Carefully remove the plant from the nursery (pot), plant it in the hole, cover it with soil and compact it. After removing the plant from the nursery, you must straighten the roots, being careful not to damage them or shake off the soil.
  4. Finally, mulching is carried out.

Lighting and location

Terry balsam is a plant that is unpretentious to lighting. However, it would be optimal to place it on the windows of the south-eastern side of the house. In summer, a terrace or balcony would be an excellent place for the plant.

In the garden, balsam can grow in the shade of shrubs, but the shade should be in moderation.

Note! In areas that are too shaded, the bush will grow rapidly upward, negatively affecting the splendor of the inflorescences.


The soil for terry balsam should be slightly acidic, light and loose. Oversaturation with fertilizers should be avoided.

Excess ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate and other fertilizers can lead to active growth of green mass, and, conversely, to delayed flower formation. The best soil for balsam is a mixture that has the following composition:

  • Sod land - 2 parts.
  • Earth + leaves – 2 parts.
  • Humus - 2 parts.
  • Sand – 2 parts.
  • Peat – 1 part.

A mixture of soil, leaves and sand in the ratio: soil + leaves (2 parts): sand (1 part) can be no less suitable.

Proper care is 99% of success in growing beautiful and healthy plants. Let's consider the main components of proper care.


Diseases and pests

The most common diseases affecting terry balsam are: gray rot and other fungal diseases. Rot occurs due to excess moisture. If the disease has not yet started, you can remove the top layer of soil - the location of the fungus - and add a new one.

On a note. The most common pests that attack balsam are spider mites and whiteflies.

The appearance of the first is provoked by low air humidity. The fight against them is carried out with drugs to kill ticks. Regular spraying of leaves is used as a preventive measure.

If the leaves turn yellow and begin to fall off, you should check the leaves for whitefly. Its larvae are usually located on the lower leaves and are destroyed with special preparations.

Reproduction methods

Impatiens flowers are propagated by both seeds and cuttings. However, for terry varieties the best way is the second. It provides excellent preservation of varietal qualities.


The cutting propagation method is as follows: a cutting with 2-3 internodes is cut off from a healthy mother plant and placed in a glass of water. At the same time, its lower leaves break off. The cutting takes root within 1-2 weeks, after which it is transplanted into a pot.

You can root cuttings not only in water, but also in sand, and even directly in the ground. To do this, place it in a pot with prepared soil and water it generously. warm water with potassium permanganate.

With the seed propagation method, balsam is usually sown in March, but for early flowering - in January. Before sowing, the seeds are soaked in a manganese solution for 15 minutes. After sowing them in boxes, the latter are covered with a bag and placed in a bright, warm place or greenhouse. After emergence, the seedlings are planted in separate cups.

By following the simple recommendations given in this article, even an inexperienced amateur will be able to grow terry balsam. Beautiful flowers and bright colors will delight the eyes of others for a long time and give a wonderful mood.

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A beautiful and abundantly blooming indoor flower, Impatiens has long and firmly settled in the apartments of amateur flower growers for its unpretentious nature and bright, eternal flowering. In addition, Balsam feels great in the summer at a summer cottage or in a garden near the house, leaving no one indifferent with its wonderful appearance. We will tell you about caring for indoor balsam at home.

The Balsam flower, due to its special properties, is popularly known by many other names. For example, it is called Touch-me-not, and this name is due to the fact that when the seeds ripen, the fruit pods crumble at the slightest touch, even bursting when the wind blows. By the way, the name Balsam (Impatiens) translated from Latin just means “Touch-me-not”, i.e. sensitive, intolerant of pressure.

Or here’s another name for Balsam – “Ogonyok”. As soon as evening approaches, hundreds of flowers open on the Balsam - lights of different colors and shades: white, pink, orange, red, purple. They illuminate the surrounding area with their wonderful light - very beautiful!

And here is another wonderful name for Balsam - “Vanka wet”. So it is called for its constant need for moisture and the ability, after watering or before the onset of bad weather, to release droplets of sugary dew along the edges of the leaves.

History and description of the flower Balsam

The island of Zanzibar, as well as the subtropical regions of Africa and Central Asia, are considered its homeland. To this day, Balsam can be found wild in the subtropics of India, Africa and North America. The flower was brought to Europe at the end of the 16th century. There he settled down perfectly. In Russia, Balsam appeared only in the 19th century. The balsam family includes about 500 species of plants that share a love of sunlight and moisture. Only 8 species can grow in temperate climates. And 15 were brought into culture.

Impatiens in the wild

There are balsams annual plants and perennial. Annuals usually decorate garden beds with their bright, colorful flowers and are extremely popular. Perennials are grown at home as indoor flowers, blooming almost all year round.

Balsam stems are transparent, juicy and brittle. Their length is 35–50 cm and above. Growth form: erect, bush or hanging. The root system is fibrous. The leaves are elongated oval (about 7 cm in length) or heart-shaped, widening at the petiole and tapering towards the tip. The arrangement of the leaves is regular. Along the edge of the leaves there are small or large denticles ending in a small spine. The leaf color is usually light green or deep green, but there are species with dark green leaves with a lilac or brown tint. Veins that are slightly darker than the main tone clearly appear on the leaves.

Balsam flowers have 5 unusually shaped petals. They are freely located, fused in pairs, solitary or collected in inflorescences. In the inflorescence there is sometimes one petal elongated into a spur. The color of the petals has various shades of pink, red, white and purple. A small white bud opens with large, bright and richly colored petals.

There are Impatiens with bicolor flowers, with different bud shapes, for example, rose-shaped, fringed, carnation-shaped or camellia-shaped. There are flowers with double and semi-double petals. Faded buds form green fruits. When ripe, these fruits form a dry capsule.

The most popular types and varieties of Balsams

Waller

This is a bush up to 50 cm high. It has erect, succulent stems, delicate wide green or brownish oval-shaped leaves. This Balsam loves warmth and light, and this circumstance must be taken into account when choosing its place of residence. Flowers can be one-color or two-color, flowering is abundant. Waller's balsam became the progenitor of numerous hybrid varieties.

New Guinea

New Guinea balsam is a hybrid perennial plant that has large flowers of bright colors. Can also be grown in open ground, and in a pot on the windowsill. Not afraid of direct sunlight. It is resistant to insect pests and diseases. The beautiful leaves have a rich green color with yellow veins. Blooms profusely in a warm sunny location.

Kandy

This is a young, recently bred variety. The bush has smooth, succulent stems up to half a meter long, from which petioles extend with oblong leaves with a pointed tip. The color of the leaves has various shades of green. Flowering is abundant, buds on high stalks have different colors. The flowers are soft and velvety to the touch. The variety is decorative and does not require care.

Strawberries and cream

This is a spectacular terry variety of Balsam with red and white flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. The plant is compact in shape with well-branched stems. Blooms for a long time even in light shade.

Peters

This species is distinguished by the color of the foliage - it has a bronze tint. Blooms profusely with bright red flowers.

Orchidaceous

This species has a succulent, brittle stem that is dark pink in color. The dark green leaves, velvety to the touch, have dark pink or red veins that run along the entire length of the leaves. The flowers are shaped like shoes. The petals are painted white, sometimes with yellow-orange or burgundy splashes. This Balsam is not affected by spider mites.

Tom Thumb

This is a beautiful and abundantly flowering bush of compact size with branched stems and bright, double large flowers. It can be grown as an indoor flower or in open ground. This variety loves sunny places, but is able to grow and bloom in partial shade and even in the shade, where its branches and flowers will be smaller. The flower should be watered abundantly, as it does not tolerate drying out of the soil. To make the bush more branchy, its tops need to be pinched. Indoor Balsam can grow in a cramped pot. In open ground, the size of the flower will undoubtedly be large.

Cutie

This is a beautiful, compact bush with dense foliage. It blooms wonderfully with pink or white flowers at home - all year round, and in the garden - all summer. Its height does not exceed 20 cm. Loves warmth. Grows in both sun and light partial shade.

Salmon Chiffon

This bush is notable for its long and abundant flowering with incredibly large double flowers. bright color. The petals resemble delicate chiffon fabric in a bright salmon shade.

There are also a huge number of other varieties, but they are more capricious, require more painstaking care, and therefore are less common in the collections of beginning gardeners. In this article we will introduce you to the rules for caring for Impatiens, which will be suitable for the laziest or busiest gardener.

General rules for caring for Balsam

All types of Balsam have common characteristics and needs. It will be easier for you to care for the plant if you remember them.

  • Abundant watering. It is better to overfill the substrate than to forget to water it.
  • Fresh air. They adore it, but cannot stand drafts. When ventilating the room in winter, do not forget to set the pot aside from air currents.
  • They bloom best in small pots.
  • Easily propagated by cuttings and seeds.
  • They love light and warmth.
  • They grow well on a windowsill, but in hot afternoons they need to be shaded, and in the winter months the pot needs to be moved away from the glass and closer to the edge of the window sill, where the heat from the radiator can be felt.
  • For winter maintenance you need a bright room with a temperature of +15 degrees and moderate humidity.
  • In the summer, Balsamina can be planted in the ground and returned to the apartment or house in the fall. In the garden for the summer they can be planted in the shade of trees.

At proper care The light will continuously delight you with its flowering. Now let's talk about everything in order.

Location in the apartment and lighting

The best place for Balsam in an apartment is the windowsill of a south window. There is a perfect place for a light-loving flower. Only young specimens should be covered with a light curtain or blinds at midday so that the sun does not inadvertently burn the tender leaves through the window glass. If possible, find a place for them on east or west windowsills. This applies to the summer period, and during the rest of the year there is no need to protect the plant from the sun. On the contrary, if the flower stood somewhere away from the window sill or on the other side of the apartment, move it to the south window.

In a dark place, the Light will not bloom at all. At incorrect location pot with a flower, the plant will begin to stretch upward, the stem will become bare, lower leaves will fall off. Such a Light will bloom rarely and reluctantly, only at the very top of the head. If you guess the location of the flower in your home, your Impatiens will almost certainly bloom from early spring until late autumn, only resting for a short time in the winter, so that at the beginning of spring it will again delight you with bright flowers.

In the summer, it is advisable to take homemade Balsam to the terrace, balcony or gazebo, in a place where there is a lot of light and fresh air, but rain and wind will not be able to reach and break it.

Watering

It is equally important for the flowering of Impatiens that the soil substrate is kept moist. You should always have a bottle of water that has settled for 24 hours at the ready. In summer, water the flower more often; in winter, reduce watering by 1/3. But without watering, Vanka won’t survive wet for long. Water it immediately as soon as the top layer of soil dries to a depth of 1 cm. In hot summer this will be every other day or even every day, and in winter - 2 times a week. Use only soft, well-settled or filtered water, without impurities. If on the surface of the substrate appears white coating This means that the water for irrigation is too hard, and alkalization of the soil has begun. Remove the top layer of soil and pour a fresh portion of substrate into the pot.

It’s also not a good idea to flood the flower or leave it in a full pan of water. Especially at low temperatures and insufficient lighting. Water frequently but sparingly. Drain excess water from the pan. Do not cause root rot. Check for drainage holes and drainage in your pot. Gets sick root system- the flower will die. If you water your Balsam correctly, then after each watering in the summer, small droplets of moisture will appear on its leaves, which after some time become sugared.

Vanka likes it wet, so that after watering the soil in the pot is loosened - this will increase the access of oxygen to the roots of the plant. And one more thing - it is advisable to pour water in a thin stream along the edge of the pot so as not to get on the root collar.

If you notice that the leaves are covered with dust, gently rinse them under running water at room temperature. Otherwise, the flower will not have enough light to produce chlorophyll.

Temperature

Ogonyok loves warmth. A comfortable temperature in the summer should be from 20 to 28 degrees, and in winter in the room where you place the pot for winter rest, maintain the temperature at least 16 degrees, since Balsam can hardly tolerate the cold.

Humidity

Balsam is not demanding on increasing the humidity in the room. It’s another matter if the room is hot, and the leaves quickly begin to lose moisture and dry out. Try your best possible ways Maintain the humidity in the room with the flower within 40 - 60%. Place containers of water next to the pot for evaporation, turn on household humidifiers or split systems, cover hot radiators with wet towels in winter, and spray the air space with a spray bottle. It is not advisable to spray a flowering plant so as not to damage the buds and spoil the appearance of the flower.

Earth

Pot

To grow Balsam, the size of the pot is important. The flower loves a small pot in which the root system has entwined the entire lump - this is an indispensable condition abundant flowering plants. If you plant Ogonyok in a spacious pot (like the one you happen to have at home), then he will spend all his energy growing the root system. This is how nature intended it - the roots of Balsam must completely entwine the lump of soil, only then will it be able to grow and form buds. That is, in a large pot you will wait longer for flowering. In addition, excess soil will turn sour with frequent watering, which will lead to root disease.

In addition to size, drainage holes at the bottom of the pot and the drainage itself are important, to which, in addition to expanded clay or pebbles, pieces of charcoal or activated carbon should be added to prevent diseases. To complete the set, you should purchase a deep tray so that excess water from it does not spill onto the windowsill.

Top dressing

Impatiens should be fed twice a month from April to October. Fertilizers are used specially for flowering indoor plants, which are dominated by phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied carefully, preferably in early spring, as they stimulate the growth of green mass of the plant. Excess nitrogen can harm future flowering. Doses of fertilizing are taken according to the instructions or half as much - depending on how long ago you changed the substrate in the pot.

Transfer

Impatiens is a perennial flowering plant. Over time, the nutritional value of the soil is lost, the shoots become elongated, the leaves fall off, and the appearance of the flower deteriorates. We recommend transplanting young specimens of Balsam into a new pot every year. Select a size such that the root system of the flower fits completely plus a little fresh soil. Remove elongated and excess shoots.

Carry out the transplant using the transshipment method, carefully, since all parts of the plant are very fragile. Water the substrate. If necessary, add more soil. When the Light adapts to the new pot and entwines the entire lump of earth, then it will bloom.

If you only have a large pot, you can plant two or three Impatiens cuttings with different flowers in it at a distance of 5 - 7 cm from each other. They will get along perfectly together, and you will get a magnificent multi-colored bush.

We recommend rejuvenating adult specimens of Balsam that have lost their attractiveness by rooting cuttings from the tops of shoots.

Trimming

Impatiens are pruned regularly throughout its life. If you are growing Ogonek from a seed, then as soon as the seven-lobed leaves appear, pinch the top of the central shoot. Then the side shoots will begin to develop, and the balsam will form a beautiful bush.

If you want to form a flower into a tree, wait until the stem of the young plant becomes woody. Then carefully cut off all the lower leaves and pinch the main shoot. Sprinkle the cut areas with crushed coal. Over time, form side shoots. After pruning, feed the plant with fertilizers (urea, vermicompost).

At the beginning of spring of any age, balsam should be pruned. Annual growth must be cut in half. By the way, the crown of the Ogonyok should be formed throughout its entire growing season, namely, when the young shoots reach the required length, the upper growth point should be pinched. This stimulates the formation of new side stems, on which bright buds and beautiful flowers will soon appear.

Balsam's rest period

How to preserve Balsam until next year? Balsam does not have a rest period in the usual sense. For several winter months it is forced to take a break from vigorous flowering, since there is not enough light for it to bloom fully. At this time, it is necessary to move the flower to a cooler room (16 - 18 degrees). Temperature is 10 degrees. is critical for Balsam.

Watering should be reduced, but just like in summer, it should be watered when the top layer of soil has dried to a depth of 1 cm. The soil should not be overdryed, as this can lead to weakening and delayed development of the flower. If the room is too dry and hot, you need to spray the air around the flower without spraying it onto the buds. It is better not to fertilize.

If you arrange additional for the flower artificial lighting using a phyto lamp or lamp daylight, then maintain other care points necessary for the flower - warmth, watering, fertilizing with liquid fertilizers once a month in low concentration. Then Ogonyok will delight you with its flowering all year round.

Conclusion

We introduced you to the beautiful indoor flower- Balsam. It has many varieties, and we are sure that you already love one of them. Any beginner can master the care of any type of balsam. Try to grow “Vanka mokrogo” in your apartment, and as a reward for your work you will receive a magnificent bush that will decorate your home with its bright flowers-lights all year round. If you do everything correctly, your pet will most likely not be affected by diseases or pests, but just in case, we recommend reading, because forewarned is forearmed. If you liked your flower and want to get a few more, check out.