How to grow balsam at home

Balsam is one of the most popular indoor plants in many countries around the world. In Russia, it is often called whimsical and Vanka wet, for droplets of liquid that stand out along the edge of the leaves, and also touchy - for the property of seeds to scatter at the slightest touch. The British use a different name - "zealous Lisa", for the long and abundant flowering of the bushes, and the inhabitants of Austria call balsam "a beautiful wreath". The plant is very unpretentious, and any novice florist can grow it from seeds at home.

Terry balsam

Description of balsam

This plant is a branching bush from 25 cm to 1 m in height. Some annual species reach two meters in height and are grown outdoors. Balsam's stems are juicy, very fleshy, light green in color. The leaves are dark green, lanceolate, whole or with a jagged edge. Balsam is prized for its flowers, which can be simple and double, pink, with the shape of a carnation or camellia. The most common color of the petals - from deep red to pale pink and lilac, there are also varieties with white flowers and two-tone.

Balsam

Balsam in a pot

This indoor plant in the warm season feels great outdoors, and many grow it in the summer, not only in flowerpots, but also in flower beds.

Garden balsam

Growing balsam

In good conditions, balsam is able to bloom profusely all year round, forming many single flowers or loose inflorescences, depending on the variety. This culture is very photophilous, but prolonged exposure to direct sunlight has a detrimental effect on it. The best place for flowerpots is window sills from the west and east. When planting on a flower bed, it is necessary to select a site that is in the shade from 11 to 14 hours. It can also be planted in partial shade, but always in a place protected from the wind.

Blooming balsam

Growing a flower from seed

How to grow balsam

The choice of planting material

There are a huge number of varieties and hybrids of balsam, and when choosing seeds it is very difficult to stop at any one. To avoid disappointment, there are a few simple rules to keep in mind:

• for decorating a balcony or flower bed in the summer, annual balsams are more suitable; perennials should be chosen for growing in room conditions;
• if you plan to further propagate flowers from your own seeds, do not buy hybrid varieties;
• to get plants with flowers of the desired shape and color, you should not purchase a mixture of varieties, buy only separately;
• when buying, pay attention to the timing of the collection of seeds. The seeds remain viable for 7-8 years, but the fresher they are, the better.

Iron-bearing balsam - I. glandulifera Royle

Balsam Balfoura (Impatiens balfourii)

Waller's balsam (Impatiens walleriana, Impatiens sultanii, Impatiens holstii)

Niamean balsam (Impatiens niamniamensis)

Sowing preparation

Balsam seeds

When growing balsam at home, the timing of planting does not matter much, but if you plan to decorate the balcony with flowers in the summer, you need to sow in mid-February. The seeds must first be disinfected. To do this, potassium permanganate is diluted in warm water to a light purple color and the seeds are lowered for about 10 minutes. Then the potassium permanganate solution is drained, and the seeds are poured with clean warm water and left for a day.

Disinfection of seeds

Next, you need to take care of the soil. Young seedlings, unlike an adult plant, are very sensitive to the composition of the soil, and grow well only on loose substrates with low acidity.

The tank is filled with universal soil

You can take purchased soil for indoor plants or make a soil mixture yourself:

• 1 piece of garden land;
• 2 parts of peat;
• 1 part vermiculite;
• 1 part coarse sand.

You can take only peat and vermiculite in equal parts, if there is no way to collect garden soil.

Soil preparation

The finished substrate must be warmed up in the oven for a couple of hours in order to destroy all harmful microorganisms. The purchased soil also does not hurt to disinfect, adding a little sand to make it more loose. After that, the earth is spilled with a solution of "Fitosporin", intended to improve the microflora. In addition, this solution reduces the risk of developing blackleg seedlings.

Fitosporin-M

Prepared germinated seeds

Seeding process

Step 1. For seedlings, you will need a wide pot or box with a height of about 7-8 cm. Expanded clay or fine gravel for drainage is poured at the bottom with a thickness of at least 2 cm. Then the container is filled with prepared earth.

Step 2. The swollen seeds are spread over the surface, being careful not to sow too thickly. Since they are very small, it is most convenient to do this with the tip of a toothpick. Each seed should be lightly pressed against the soil, but not deeply immersed.

Sowing balsam seeds

You can plant balsam in peat tablets

Step 3. Using a spray bottle, the surface of the substrate with the decomposed seeds is well moistened, after which the box is placed in a transparent plastic bag. The bag does not need to be pressed tightly too tightly, let some air remain in it.

Moistening the soil

Step 4. The packed container is placed on the windowsill so that the surface is well illuminated, but protected from direct rays. The room temperature must be maintained within the range of +22 ... +25 ° C.

The container is covered with foil

Growing seedlings

The first shoots appear in 17-20 days, subject to constant temperature and humidity. As soon as single shoots have appeared, the bag is opened slightly for airing, the accumulated condensate is gently shaken off so that moisture does not get on the shoots. This should be done daily in the morning and in the evening, otherwise the seedlings will be struck by the fungus from excess moisture.

Seed balsams

After 5-6 days, when all the seeds have sprout, the bag is completely removed from the box, and the soil is moistened with a spray bottle. In the morning and evening hours, as well as in cloudy weather, you need to turn on the phytolamp and light up the seedlings, otherwise their development will be disrupted.Periodically, you will have to pour a wet substrate onto the roots crawling out of the soil. When watering, it is best to pour water into a pan so that the root necks of the sprouts remain dry and do not rot.

Grown balsam

Seedling picking

Seedlings one and a half centimeters high and with two real leaves can already be dived into separate cups. The soil is taken the same as in the beginning, drainage is poured onto the bottom. When picking, elongated plants are buried in the substrate a little more than the rest. After transplanting, the seedlings quickly adapt and begin to grow vigorously, but provided there is sufficient lighting, humidity and heat. A week after the pick, pinch the tops - this will cause the formation of additional shoots, which will subsequently affect the decorative effect of the bush.

Seedling balsam sown

Balsam in a glass

Transfer to flowerpots

Plants are planted in flowerpots or containers for permanent cultivation after they form a small bush, and their roots surround the entire earthen lump.

Grown balsam seedlings

We transplant the sprout

The containers need to be taken spacious enough so that the balsam can grow freely in them for several years. The soil substrate is prepared in the same way as for seedlings, but the drainage layer is made a little thicker - from 3 to 5 cm.After transplanting, it is no longer necessary to supplement the plants, the main thing is to regularly water and spray the bushes. Balsam can be taken out into the open air at the end of May, when the heat is established. In June it will be possible to admire the first flowers.

Balsam in a flowerpot

Caring for balsam at home

Taking care of mature plants is not difficult at all. Balsam tolerates heat well, and if it is timely shaded from the sun, the bush actively develops and blooms profusely almost without interruption. The temperature regime should not change too abruptly, therefore, with the onset of autumn, flowerpots should be brought into the house without waiting for a cold snap. In winter, plants grow normally at a lower temperature, but it is desirable that it does not fall below 12 degrees. Balsam does not have a rest period, and from October to March it needs additional lighting. Without this, the bush will not bloom.

Blooming pink balsam in a pot

Plant feeding with complex fertilizers is of great importance. For the first time, the bushes are fed after planting in permanent pots, and then fertilized regularly every two weeks until October. It is recommended to use half the fertilizer dose. With an excess of nutrients, the stems grow, become more brittle, and the formation of buds stops.

Watering balsam is desirable with settled water at room temperature. In the warm season, plants are watered more often and more abundantly, in winter only as the soil dries up. If the air in the house is very dry, an additional spraying of the leaves is required.

Watering balsam

The bush needs to be pruned annually to stimulate the growth of new shoots. When the roots become cramped, the plant is transplanted into a larger flowerpot or the bush is divided. The optimal time for this is mid-spring. To propagate a flower you like, you can cut cuttings up to 6 cm long from the tops of the stems and root them in water. This method is considered the fastest and most convenient.

Rooting balsam cuttings

Balsam is susceptible to fungal diseases, rot and bacteriosis. The main reason for their development is excessive watering, lack of air and lighting, thickening of the bush. In addition, aphids and whiteflies attack plants, and the spider mite is considered the main pest. The treatment of bushes with protective drugs, for example, Alirin, Glyocladin and others, helps to get rid of these problems.

How to collect seeds yourself

Balsam seeds can be harvested by yourself

Propagation of balsam by seeds requires more time and patience than rooting cuttings, however, many growers prefer this method. For seeds to ripen on a plant, flowers need pollination. The easiest way is to expose the bushes to the open air, where the bright flowers will immediately attract insects. In indoor conditions, pollination is carried out artificially, using a thin brush for painting. Carefully collect the pollen with a brush and spread it on the pistils of flowers with light strokes.

After a while, a small green fruit will form in place of the flower, which, as it ripens, will begin to turn into a dry translucent box. Ripe capsules burst even with the lightest touch, and the seeds scatter in all directions. Experienced flower growers recommend that in the evening it is easy to spray the bush with water, and in the morning, while the boxes are still a little wet, carefully pluck them from the stems. After that, the seeds are dried and poured into a paper bag for storage.

Video - Balsamin: growing from seeds at home

Video - Balsamin: growing and care

Video - Caring for balsam

Balsam growers are often called "light", or even "Vanka wet". But in reality, its name is translated differently: "touchy". This name was given to him due to the fact that at the time of seed ripening, the boxes with them burst from the wind.

Varieties and types of indoor balsam

More than 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. 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:

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

Balsam Peters - differs in 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, 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 - tall strong plant. The flowers of the hybrid are white, red, purple.

The principles of caring for all varieties are general.

Growing features

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

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

The flower hates 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 it will not bloom.

Watering is needed abundant. It is no coincidence that the plant was nicknamed "Vanka wet". The soil should always be moist.

You should carefully look - is the flower sick? Even if only a few leaves are damaged, in the absence of the necessary measures, 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 is pulled out, the leaves fall off, the flowering stops. Think - what is the balsam lacking 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.

Ground requirements

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

If you filled the pot, for example, with earth taken from your site, and it turned out to be heavy and clayey, then there will be few flowers, unlike the leaves.

Requirements are imposed on the amount of soil. Often, beginner growers buy the largest pots so that the plant is "spacious". But the balsam won't be grateful for that. He will begin to build up the root system in order to "master" the entire space, and will cease to bloom. 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, a beautiful bouquet will stand on your windowsill.

The plant is fed twice a month.

Optimal conditions of detention

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

Balsam also needs moist air. This applies both in summer, when the room is hot, and in winter, when the central heating batteries are working. It is 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 for the northern one, is suitable for balsam. The flower is very light-requiring.

Watering a flower

Balsam is very fond of water, and the biggest test for a flower is drought. From this, the conclusion is that a bottle with settled water at room temperature should always be at the ready.

It is advisable to put drainage at the very bottom of the pot. They do this so that moisture does not stagnate and the roots do not rot. A deep pallet is also required. When watering, make sure that the earthen lump is completely saturated, and the excess moisture is in the pan. You do not 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 wither, you can try to water the plant abundantly. In some cases, this helps, and the appearance of the flower improves.

Top dressing and fertilization

In winter, balsam is almost never fed. It 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.

In the cold season, you can make a little nitrogen dressing. They will not stimulate the bud formation process, but the balsam will give thick foliage and look beautiful.

Trimming

Balsam is pruned throughout its life. If the flower is grown from 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 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 stiffens. Then you can carefully cut off all the lower leaves, and pinch the main shoot. It is advisable to sprinkle the cuts with crushed coal. Over time, lateral shoots will form.

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

How to transplant correctly?

Balsam is transplanted in the spring. After that, it seems to come to life: new shoots are formed, flowering begins. If in the summer the plant is too elongated, and there are few leaves left, you can transplant it a second time in the fall. This should be done when flowering has already ended.

If you compose the soil yourself, you need to mix in equal parts: garden soil, peat and river sand. Before planting, the soil is watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect. If the finished soil was purchased in a specialized store, this is not necessary.

A small pot is chosen, or several plants are planted in a voluminous container at once. It is important that for a short time the roots are completely entwined with an earthen lump - only then can we expect balsam to bloom.

Reproduction of balsam

It will not be difficult to propagate balsam indoors. Even beginner growers can cope with this.

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

But this method is more often used in relation to annual balsams, which are to grow in flower beds. Houseplants are usually propagated by cuttings.

The top is cut off from a healthy bush. The length of the cuttings with several internodes should be about 10 cm. The cuttings are placed in a jar of water (it is advisable that leaves do not get there to avoid decay). After about 2 weeks, or even earlier, roots will begin to appear.

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

Another breeding option is layering. Choose a strong branch, break off the lowest leaves on it. Then they are grounded by 1/3 part. The soil should be light, loose - it should not be allowed that the surface is pulled together by a crust.

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

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

Disease and pest control

Balsam can get sick quite easily. The spider mite is especially terrible for him. This pest is a companion of drought, so the best preventive 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 transplanted, watering is reduced.

If the appearance of the leaves is alarming - the color turns pale or the leaves dry, begin to fall off - you need to think about what the plant lacks. Maybe light? Or is the room too cold? Is the pot tight? An attentive owner will come to the right conclusion and fix the problem.

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

An annual plant with a beautiful lush flowering - balsam - is loved by many summer residents and gardeners. For a while, the flower was less popular, but now it is remembered again. Consider how to properly grow balsam from seeds at home in order to get good seedlings.

Popular varieties of balsam

Flowers of different fullness, volume and shade are the business card of the plant

The plant is distributed almost all over the world, so there are many varieties that differ in the country of origin, flowering, foliage and growing conditions.

The most widespread are the following cultures.

Garden balsam

Original inflorescences make this variety indispensable in flower beds.

It is characterized by strong stems, densely covered with narrow oblong toothed leaves and flowers, located in a chaotic manner at their bases. Due to the possibility of forming a dense crown, this branched variety is often planted in the garden, where the name comes from.

At the end of flowering, boxes with seeds can be observed on the shoots, which are easily carried by the wind. However, in climates with cold winters, this distribution method does not help the garden balsam grow naturally. Seedlings still have to be kept indoors until spring.

Tom Sambe

Variety Tom Samb resembles peonies with its flower

Slightly different from the garden one, although it is its close relative. This is a dwarf version of a full-fledged plant, bred to decorate flower beds with bright flowers. At the same time, the stems are hidden under a lush carpet of petals.

Waller's balsam

Delicate shades of this variety bring romance to garden design.

Most often used as an indoor flower. This variety is very fond of moisture, for which it was nicknamed Vanka Wet, but is afraid of cold weather. It is necessary to choose a shady place for planting Waller's balsam seedlings, otherwise its bright inflorescences will quickly fade from the sun's rays.

Seedlings of indoor balsam are transferred to open ground only at the beginning of summer. The first bright colors will appear on the stems in about one and a half to two months. The variety of flowers in this variety makes it very popular among gardeners.

Many hybrids of Waller's balsam have been developed, which have several common features: the shape of the buds, the duration of their formation and other external characteristics.

Terry

A fluffy flower with a pleasant scent will decorate any flower bed, gazebo or garden

It has very beautiful inflorescences with large bright petals. Lush buds led to the emergence of such a name, as well as to the spread of this variety of garden balsam as a decorative element. Few can resist buying his seedlings.

New guinea

Flowers of warm shades delight the eye and cheer up

Came to the middle lane from a place with the same name. The value of this species is survival in dry weather. This quality was specially bred by breeders.

Balsam New Guinea has large flowers and variegated leaves with white and pink blotches. It is an annual plant that does not tolerate extreme temperature changes. Otherwise, this variety is unpretentious.

Camellia

Luxurious in appearance and unpretentious in care variety Camellia

It got its name from the large lush flowers in bright shades. On the usual tall stems with narrow toothed leaves, fiery buds are formed, resembling roses or camellias. It perfectly tolerates any conditions, retains a beautiful appearance until autumn.

Cutie

Prolonged flowering in indoor and outdoor conditions has made Cutie a favorite variety of many flower growers.

Thanks to the formation of a neat bush no higher than 20 cm, it received the status of a room. However, it is also planted using small containers on balconies and miniature flower beds. It blooms very profusely and pleases gardeners for a long time.

Balsam dwarf Exotic

The dwarf variety is used in flower bed decoration

Produces buds actively even in low light. Because of the low bush, they prefer to plant it in small pots to decorate the site. The main colors are pale pink and purple.

Safari

Safari is preferred for indoor cultivation

This annual variety is grown indoors, and also decorates balconies and garden plots with it. The variety of petal colors, as well as flowers with a beautiful combination of several shades, make it very popular among balsam lovers. This species is unpretentious, but under conditions of open ground it survives only in the warm summer months. In the house, it will grow longer, as it develops a full-fledged root system.

Iron-bearing balsam

Iron-bearing is a wild variety not cultivated on purpose

Wild member of the family. It has characteristic narrow long leaves. A strong stem reaches a height of 2 m. It usually grows in disadvantaged places: near fences, next to a collection of debris.

Unlike garden balsams, iron balsam is not planted on purpose. Blooming with small purple-pink buds, the variety is considered harmful in relation to other crops, therefore it is not advised to specially plant it in the garden.

Such a variety of varieties allows summer residents to choose the most suitable size and color to decorate their site. During the whole warm period, decorative species delight the eye with incredible lush flowering.

Seed preparation

Seedlings of this annual plant for placement in the open field begin to prepare in advance. Decorative balsam is grown from seeds. They are obtained in two main ways - on their own or by purchasing them in a store.

Self-procurement

Many are interested in whether it is possible to use those flowers that are already growing on the site for the purpose of obtaining seeds. This is a rather difficult task that only experienced gardeners can handle. To collect material from growing garden flowers, it is enough to very carefully collect the formed transparent boxes. The problem is that they crack open with even a very light touch, scattering the seeds all over the place. Therefore, balsam has a second name - touch-sensitive. With indoor varieties, the process turns out to be more difficult, since they will have to be deliberately pollinated.

Collecting seed boxes must be done very carefully.

It is recommended to collect the seeds when the capsules become slightly damp from the morning dew. The material is well dried and stored in paper envelopes. It will not lose its properties for several years. But if several varieties of balsam were planted in the summer, one should expect that a plant will appear from the harvested seeds that will bloom in unpredictable tones.

Shopping in a store

Gardeners who do not want to spend time collecting and drying can easily purchase the seeds of the flowers they like at specialized centers with goods for the dacha. Usually there are many varieties for those who are fond of growing balsam.

During the purchase, it is important to follow some rules so that the seeds have maximum germination: look at the expiration date, date of collection, storage conditions. You can familiarize yourself with information about the largest manufacturers whose products receive positive reviews in advance.

The way of harvesting seeds for the next season depends on the wishes of the gardeners themselves. To avoid unpredictable results during flowering, it is recommended to buy ready-made bags with a selection of one variety.

How to grow balsam seedlings from seeds at home

This process doesn't take a lot of effort. However, it is important to carry out the work in advance, so that by the time when it is already possible to plant flowers in open ground, the sprouts are sufficiently strong.

First you need to prepare all the materials:

• blanks and soak them in a gentle potassium permanganate solution for about 10 minutes. Then keep the seeds for another day in plain water at room temperature.
• Buy soil for flowering crops or mix it from several components yourself: combine one part of river sand, humus and vermiculite with two parts of loose peat soil.
• Small expanded clay with a layer of 2 cm is placed in a container with a height of at least 8 cm with holes at the bottom. Soil is poured on top, leaving about 1 cm free to the upper edge of the container.
• It remains to plant the seeds. This is done very carefully, placing them at the same distance and leaving enough space for future seedlings. Gently press the material against the soil, but do not deepen it.

The basic rules for growing and caring for balsam seedlings further include:

• Spraying and storage under a film or cover until full shoots appear.
• Regular ventilation of the greenhouse and removal of condensation.
• Tracking possible decay.
• Pouring a thin layer of soil over young seedlings to close the roots.
• Creation of artificial lighting in cloudy weather.

It is recommended to cook seedlings from the third week of March. When the sprouts are strong enough and form small leaves, they are seated in hotel cups with holes made at the bottom and an obligatory drainage layer.At first, the separated shoots are provided with greenhouse conditions for successful adaptation. Then, gradually increasing the airing time, they accustom them to normal conditions.

If all the conditions for caring for balsam at this stage are met, the seedlings will turn out to be viable and miniature bushes will begin to form in the room. The stronger they are, the faster the plant will bloom after being placed outdoors. Comfortable temperature - from 20 to 25 ° С.

Growing from seeds at home is an easy task even for a novice florist. The plant is unpretentious, but it is important to ensure that the soil does not become waterlogged and that there is enough lighting for the sprouts. The variety of varieties allows you to decorate both shady and sunny parts of the garden with a carpet of variegated petals, to decorate a balcony or veranda. You can grow miniature types of balsam all year round on the windowsill.

Balsam is a flower that is grown on windowsills, balconies and outdoors. There are many varieties of annuals and perennials. It is not difficult to grow balsam if you know its habitat. In the article we will tell you about the cultivation of balsam at home from seeds, we will give recommendations for care.

Varieties of balsam for planting in a flower bed

Balsam is a shrub from 25 to 50 cm in height. Stems are erect, fleshy. The leaves are long, oval, rather large. They come in green or purple. Balsam is famous for its lush bloom. Flowers form at the base of the leaves. There are different shades besides blue. In the open field, the plant blooms from mid-May or early June until the first autumn frosts.

More than 400 plant species belong to the balsam family. Among them there are indoor and garden varieties. Such varieties are available for growing at home.

Variety name	Description	Popular types
Waller's balsam	The bush is up to 50 cm high. The leaves are brown, green or purple. Small flowers up to 4 cm in diameter are collected in inflorescences on high pedicels.	Tempo FT, Stardust FT, Bruno FT, Firefly
Balsams "New Guinea"	Perennial shrubs obtained by crossing several species. The leaves are larger than those of the previous variety, the shoots are juicy, abundantly branching. The flowers are large and bright.	"Paradise", "Java", The species of this group are more compact in size. Popular "Jangle Rain", "Rainforest Exotic"

New Guinea balsams are grown in windowsill pots and hanging planters, but plants from the Waller group should be grown in baskets or large flowerpots. The bushes are sprawling, and the root system takes up a lot of space. With good care, balsam at home blooms all year round..

The most common varieties are those that bloom pink or red.

Among all the varieties, the Bruno FT and Firefly varieties deserve special attention. They are incredibly beautiful. Plants of the first class grow up to 30 cm in height. They bloom profusely even under adverse conditions. They tolerate heat easily, so they can be grown outdoors in summer. The flowers are large, up to 6 cm in diameter, purple, pale lilac, red and white. Bushes "Firefly" are not tall, up to 25 cm in height. They conquer gardeners with abundant flowering and a palette of colors. The plant blooms with purple, lilac, orange and other flowers.

Tip # 1. Due to the wide variety of varieties, balsam is used in landscape design for landscaping premises, decorating balconies, terraces, personal plots and flower beds. Balsams are not used in group plantings with flowering plants.

Conditions for growing balsam at home

Before growing a flower, you need to familiarize yourself with its features:

1. Balsam loves water. He reacts painfully to moisture deficiency.
2. Prefers small pots.
3. The flower is susceptible to diseases and pests. Diseased shoots and leaves are immediately removed, otherwise the whole bush will die.

The flower is sick more often due to improper care of it. Favorable conditions for balsam are given in the table.

Parameter	Description
Lighting	Prefers bright, diffused light. It is advisable to put the pots on the east or west side of the window and be sure to shade the flower
Air temperature	In summer, the temperature is maintained at 20-25 ˚С, in winter - 12-15 ˚С.
Air humidity	Grows in any humidity
The soil	Prefers well-drained, light, loose, fertile soil
Pot	The pot is 2-3 cm larger from the flower itself. It is not advisable to choose wide or low containers

Unlike indoor species, varietal balsam does not lose its decorative effect in sunny areas. In winter, balsam needs additional lighting for prolonged flowering. It is enough to increase daylight hours by just two hours. Read also the article: → "When and how to plant balsam."

Illuminate flowers with fluorescent lamps

Preparing the soil for planting a flower

The soil for balsam is chosen light, which is not oversaturated with minerals and nitrogen, otherwise the bush will not bloom, and a lot of leaves will grow. A quarter pot is filled with drainage. If the soil is prepared independently, then the following substrate is suitable:

• one piece of sod land;
• one part of humus;
• one part of peat;
• one piece of sand.

Balsam loves soils fertilized with humus. The soil is not poured much, the earth should cover the roots of the flower. Suitable substrates for balsam in the table.

Substrate name	Characteristic
Soil for indoor flowers FART Sg-001 Garden of Miracles Azalea	Nutritious medium acid soil for indoor flowers. Contains vermicompost.
Our dacha "For indoor flowers"	Soil based on high-moor and lowland peat containing all nutrients.
Universal soil Good power	A nutritious peat chuck that also stimulates the growth and development of flowers. Contains peat, sand, dolomite flour, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Seeds, unlike cuttings, are grown in landless substrates. A mixture of peat and perlite in a 2: 1 ratio is suitable. See also the article: → "Sowing flower seeds for seedlings."

Fertilizers are applied for seedlings after the appearance of one real leaf.

Ways to grow balsam at home

The preparation of the soil for balsam depends on the cultivation method. The following methods are available:

1. In peat tablets. This method is suitable for seed propagation of a flower. Seeds are sown on the surface of the tablet, watered and sprinkled with a thin layer of sand or substrate. The surface is covered with a film and the air temperature is maintained at 20-25 ° C until the sprouts appear.
2. In pots. Ready cuttings with roots are planted in pots or an adult plant is transplanted.
3. In a hydrogel. In this way, the seeds of Waller's balsam are germinated. After the roots appear, the sprouts together with the hydrogel are transplanted into prepared containers with soil.

When growing balsam in hanging pots outdoors, a hydrogel is added to the soil to better retain moisture in the soil. In the summer, it is better to grow balsam on the balcony, because the flower loves ventilated rooms. In winter, if the temperature on the balcony drops below 15 ° C, the pots are brought into the room.

Balsam is grown for seedlings not at home, but directly in the open field. The seeds are sown in May-June.

How to propagate balsam at home?

Balsam is propagated by seeds and apical cuttings. The second method is more profitable, since the cuttings take root in a month, and the plant blooms in the summer of the same year. It should be noted that flowers planted in spring bloom in July, and planted in summer - in winter. From seeds, balsam blooms in six months, for example, if you sow seeds in January, then a bush will bloom at the end of May.

Propagated by seeds like this:

1. Sow seeds into prepared substrate.Water and cover with foil.
2. After the emergence of seedlings, the film is slightly opened and the condensate is shaken from the surface of the cover.
3. Gradually, the seedlings are hardened.
4. Two weeks after sowing, when 2-3 true leaves grow, the seedlings dive into separate pots, which are filled with peat-humus substrate.
5. Cover the pots with plastic wrap until the sprouts take root. When growing seedlings, the air temperature is maintained at 21-25 ˚С during the day and 18 ˚С at night. They also dive into plastic cups, but be sure to make holes in the bottom.

Balsam seedlings are optionally transplanted into open ground in June. But for the winter they do not leave it in the open ground, since the plant is afraid of frost and will die in winter.

For propagation by cuttings, the strongest apical processes are cut off and placed in water. When the roots appear, the cuttings are planted in separate pots. To get a large bush, two balsam cuttings are planted in one wide pot, you can even of different varieties.

Caring for balsam at home

For a plant, two parameters are key: sufficient moisture and diffused light. In the sun, balsam will grow, but its decorative effect will decrease..

The care is as follows:

1. Abundant watering, but without stagnant water on the soil surface. In summer, watering is increased (watered every other day), and in winter, it is reduced to twice a week.
2. In summer, when the temperature rises, the flower is sprayed daily with warm water from a spray bottle.
3. The flower is fed from spring to autumn every two weeks. Potash fertilizers are used, because potassium is needed for abundant flowering.
4. Loosen the potting soil regularly, but not deeply.

When choosing fertilizers, it should be borne in mind that with an excess of nitrogen, the seedlings of the flower stretch out, and with the accumulation of a large amount of potassium in the soil, the leaves curl. In the table, we consider fertilizers for balsam.

Fertilizer name	Characteristic
Nov-Agro "Potassium sulfate"	Chlorine free, water soluble and suitable for all types of dressings
Etisso "Combi-Sticks" for all indoor and balcony plants	Complex fertilizer containing 11.6% potassium, 7.6% nitrogen and 5% phosphorus. Additionally protects against ticks and aphids
City of animals "Liquid potassium nitrate"	Liquid mineral fertilizer. It does not burn the roots and enhances flowering.
Fertika Kristalon "For garden flowers" gardeners' reviews about Fertika fertilizer	Contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Increases the saturation and brightness of flowers and leaves, stimulates the formation of powerful roots. Suitable for annual and perennial flowers.

Tip # 2. If balsam is grown on the south side of the windowsill or it is too hot in the apartment, then it is difficult to keep track of the soil moisture. In this case, it is better to transplant the flower into a pot with a deep tray and water so that some of the water flows into the tray. As the soil dries up, the roots of the plant will absorb water from the sump.

With excessive watering, a "black leg" appears. With insufficient watering, the flowers dry and fall off.

For watering balsam, warm settled water is used.

Over time, balsam loses its decorative effect, so every three years the flower is renewed. If pruning is not done, then the shoots become naked. Old branches are completely cut out. For balsam, shaping pruning is also needed. Upon reaching the desired height, pinch the top. As a result of this procedure, lateral shoots grow. In the spring, all unnecessary and ugly branches are cut out. Balsam is transplanted annually, but it is worth considering that the plant blooms better in a cramped pot than in a large one. The flower is transplanted in the spring.

Diseases and pests of balsam

Balsam pests are spider mites, thrips, aphids and whiteflies. For the prevention of spider mites, the plant is regularly sprayed. Diseased leaves are immediately removed. In case of severe damage, they are treated with Fitoverm, Akarin and Lightning. When a whitefly is affected, the leaves turn yellow.The plant is treated with soapy water, "Aktellik", "Bison" or "Karbofos". "Aktara", "Fufanon" and "Tanarek" will save from thrips. Two insecticide treatments with an interval of 5 days are enough for pests. Read also the article: → "How to overcome thrips on flower and vegetable crops."

When growing a flower, the following problems are possible:

1. Leaves are falling. Insufficient light, moisture, or hypothermia.
2. Leaves are curled up. The plant is affected by spider mites.
3. Leaves turn yellow or dry. The reason is the lack of watering.

Balsam suffers only from gray rot, which is manifested by wilting and falling leaves. For prevention, adhere to proper watering. When flooded, they are transplanted into dry soil.

Answers to common mistakes gardeners make

Question number 1... Why did mold appear on the surface of the soil in the pot and what to do with it?

Mold or green moss on the soil surface indicates waterlogged soil and a lack of light. A layer of moldy substrate must be removed and a new one is poured. After they adhere to the rules of care. White bloom on the soil surface appears due to alkalization of the soil as a result of using hard water for irrigation.

Question number 2... Why do balsam leaves fade?

The reason is the bay and rotting of the roots of the plant. Balsam is transplanted into a new pot, rotten roots and remnants of bad soil are removed from the roots. If the leaves are very lethargic, then it is better to plant a cutting, the bush is unlikely to survive.

Question number 3. How to increase disease resistance?

So that the balsams do not hurt, and their decorative effect has improved, the leaves are sprayed with a growth stimulator "Zircon" or "Kornevin".

Question number 4... Balsamin is already three years old, but it does not bloom. Why is this happening?

Plants bloom profusely only in small pots. The pot is chosen only 2-3 cm larger in diameter behind the root system of the plant. In large containers, balsam bushes and builds up green mass, but flowering is delayed. Balsam also does not bloom due to the oversaturation of the soil with nitrogen. In this case, the green mass grows, but there are no flowers.

Mistakes in growing balsam

Gardeners' mistakes are as follows:

1. If you do not adhere to the temperature regime when growing balsam, the flower is affected by spider mites and whiteflies. Low humidity in the room and an increase in body temperature should not be allowed.
2. Due to the fact that balsam loves moisture, many flood the plant, but this cannot be done. Stagnation of water at the roots leads to decay of the root system and the death of the flower.
3. Air humidity for balsam is not particularly important, but when the air temperature rises above 22 ˚С, the flower is sprayed daily.

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