Beautiful and long flowering, undemanding soil on the site, unpretentious care and vitality - these are the reasons why gardeners choose balsam for their flower beds. Like any culture, garden balsam has features in planting and care, reproduction, top dressing. To achieve magnificent flowering, they need to know.
Origin and appearance of garden balsamins
Garden Balsamine belongs to the Balsamic family, the genus Impatiens. From Latin, this name translates as "untouchable, untouchable." The ripe fruits of the plant open when touched, discarding seeds within a radius of 2 meters.
Balsam garden
The genus includes about 500 species. Such diversity and prevalence in many regions of the planet makes it difficult to accurately determine the flower’s homeland. Most often, balsamins grow in tropical and temperate climates.
Note! The main areas of growth are Europe, North America, Asia, part of the African continent.
“Untouchable” plants were discovered in the 17th century. Their first descriptions date back to 1869 and relate to varieties found in India and areas of Asia bordering on it. Most of the species were discovered and classified in the XIX century, during the period of active study of the corners of the planet remote from civilization. The last to be discovered was a group of balsamins from New Zealand. This only happened in 1989.
Continuously blooming balsams in Western countries are called Busy Lizzie, and in Russia the flower was nicknamed Vanka Wet. At first glance, it is in no way associated with the plant. Such an unusual name is associated with an interesting feature: drops of sweet liquid form on balsam leaves. Gradually they harden and turn into sugar balls.
Initially, in our climate, balsamins were grown only at home. But thanks to breeding work, varieties for street maintenance appeared. Thus arose garden balsam. This is an annual plant, a bush with fleshy, dense branches, a trunk and leaves. They have one feature: not being flexible, they break easily. The height of the bush in different varieties varies from 20 to 70 cm.
Note! In rainy weather or during fog, the plant is freed from excess moisture in an unusual way: drops of liquid form on its leaves.
Drops of moisture on the leaves of a plant
Street balsamine differs from room "brothers":
| List of professions | Normative procedure for issuing |
| Builders | signal form; gloves PPE of face and ears; vibration reduction agents |
| Drivers | mittens; warm suit; safety shoes |
| Movers | overalls; gloves Jackets trousers. |
| Sales staff | kerchiefs; gloves bathrobes |
| Agricultural staff | gloves footwear; mittens. |
| Electrical workers | dielectric special gloves; safety shoes; headdress; top overalls; thermal underwear for dielectrics. |
Important! Perennial garden balsamines are not found. The species growing on the flower beds are annual balsamins.
Description of flowering balsam
Buds and flowers form at the base of the leaves. Flowers have different sizes and shapes, depending on the variety. Variants of the color of the petals - from white to maroon. The most common are pink and purple. In hybrids, petals can be terry.
Important! Blue and yellow colors of petals in garden balsamins do not exist.
Flowering in the open field covers almost the entire growing season, it falls on the period from May to the end of September.
Types and varieties of balsam for outdoor cultivation
Most varieties of garden balsamin bred in Europe, they are not so numerous. Plants are different in color of flowers, structure, shape. There are instances similar to camellias, roses, carnations.
Tom Tamb
Compact dense bushes with a height of 25 to 40 cm. The variety is distinguished by a variety of shades of petals and the duration of flowering. Terry flowers, in large quantities cover bushes in June and remain, replacing each other until September. And if the air temperature allows, then Tom Tamb blooms until mid-October. Prefers slightly shaded areas, light fertile soils. In such conditions, gives the most magnificent and plentiful flowering. It’s easy to take care of him.
Variety Tom Tamb
Iron Balzamin
The name "iron-bearing" is explained by the presence of special glands, dense joints that are located at the base of leaf plates. Annual shoots are smooth, reaching 50 cm in height. The leaves are bright green, oval, about 15 cm. The flowers are attached to long peduncles-brushes. Their color can be pink, bright red, wine shades.
Important! The disadvantage of this variety is that over time it can turn into a weed.
Balsam Hawker
The natural habitat for this species is New Guinea, Solomon Islands. It was discovered by botanists in 1884. Wild-growing forms did not take root as a decorative culture on the European continent. However, on their basis, large-scale work was carried out to develop hybrid varieties.
A distinctive feature of Hocker's balsam is large flowers of a beautiful purple hue with a whitish core. Leaves are ellipsoid, green, with beige veins.
Large-flowered balsam
The birthplace of the species is Sri Lanka. Appreciated by gardeners, it is becoming increasingly popular due to large flowers. Their diameter reaches 6 cm. And the color is different: white, pink, saturated red, salmon, purple. Varieties with two-color coloring are also developed. Due to the fact that new buds are constantly forming and blooming, the effect of long-term flowering occurs. It ends only with the onset of frost.
Bush-shaped plant, densely covered with foliage. Its height and diameter is about 30 cm. The leaf plates are dark green, with a serrated edge. They are almost hidden by a large number of flowers.
Large-flowered balsam
Creeping balsam
One of the most undersized species. Miniature plants have an unusual color of stems - reddish-brown. Against its background, a golden shade of petals looks contrasting. In Russia, this plant is still a rarity.
Impatiens balsamic
A famous species whose homeland is Bengal. In this region, the plant is grown not so much for decorative purposes, but as a seasoning for food. This is a grassy annual with a straight stem 25-45 cm high, lanceolate, narrow leafy plates having a serrated edge.
The flowers are large, located on short pedicels, a few pieces in each bosom of the leaves. The diameter of the flowers is about 3 cm, and the color is pink or purple-white. Some varieties have terry petals.
Note! The fruits are pubescent egg-shaped boxes. The flowering period is from July to August. In September, the fruits ripen.
Balsam Camellia
The Camellia variety got its name by the similarity of the shape of the flowers with real camellias. Their shades range from purple to snow-white. The bush is covered with many leaves and paired flowers. Their size is about 5 cm.
The Camellia variety is very thermophilic, does not survive at lower temperatures. Before planting in open ground, seedlings are germinated in good lighting conditions. Without light, plants give arrows. Flowering occurs at the end of June.
Balsam Carmelita
The stems of the Carmelita variety rise 70 cm above the ground. The plants have a pyramidal shape. The stems are fleshy, but fragile, break in knots, therefore they are protected from strong winds. Terry flowers, up to 4 cm in size. Their shape is cameliform, and the color is from purple to white. The first buds open in June. Flowering does not stop until September.
The variety is very thermophilic and responds to any temperature changes. Seedlings are planted in open ground in late May - early June.
Carmelita variety
Balsam Fashionista
The highlight of the variety is the contrasting color. Its two-tone, bright pink with white terry petals in the shape of camellias do not remain invisible in the flowerbed. They bloom in the sinuses of each leaf. The plant itself is erect, 40-50 cm high. The color is very plentiful. To bush acquired a beautiful shape, pinch it.
The flower is photophilous and thermophilic, but can grow in a small shadow. He loves fertile light soil. May remain fresh in cut for a long time.
There are other types: Waller balsam, New Guinean, terry, touchy small-flowered.
Planting balsam seedlings in the open ground
The best time for planting balsam garden in the open ground is May. By this month, in most regions, the threat of spring frosts that can destroy seedlings will pass.
What you need for landing
Before planting seedlings in open ground, it is necessary to prepare the soil. Plants prefer loose, fertile, non-acidic soil.
Important! Determine the acidity of the soil at home using infusion of currant leaves. If, when a small amount of earth is added to it, it becomes reddish, the soil is acidic. If the solution turns blue - slightly acidic, and if greenish - neutral.
Wells for seedlings should be the same size as containers with seedlings so that when planting the root necks of seedlings do not go deep. A small amount of vermicompost is poured into the bottom of each well.
Soil can be shed in advance with fungicide, feed with stale manure, moisten.
Choosing the best place
Balsam needs protection from strong winds and direct sunlight, due to which it begins to fade, twist the leaves. Flowers are often planted along fences, near trees. You can also successfully grow them in garden crates and pots.
Experienced gardeners have noticed that plants feel best on the western and eastern sides of the plot. On the flower beds, balsamins are combined with any varieties. But the best neighbors for the touchy are begonias, fuchsias, and verbena.
Transplanting
Step-by-step landing process
To determine whether the plant will take root in the open ground and whether it will develop rapidly, it is removed from the germination container and the state of the root system is assessed, if the earthen lump is penetrated by white roots, the seedling is transplanted into the street. Landing Stages:
- Plants, along with an earthen lump, are laid out in holes.
- They are made at a distance of 25-30 cm from each other, since the bushes of garden balsam are rapidly growing.
- Sprinkle the soil, lightly press.
- Spend abundant watering.
Landings are mulched with sawdust. This prevents drying out of the soil and erosion of the roots during irrigation, as well as providing air access to the root system and inhibiting weed growth.
Propagation of balsam
Balsamins are easy to reproduce. To create their own collections, gardeners not only stock up on seeds, but also share cuttings. Both methods give good results.
Propagation by cuttings
For harvesting cuttings, the longest shoots are chosen. The tops are cut with a sharp knife or blade. The length of the cuttings should be 10-12 cm. The lower leaves are removed from them. Root nodes subsequently form on bare nodes.
Note! The lower parts of the cuttings are immersed in water at room temperature. After 10 days, roots form. Plants can be planted in the ground.
Seed cultivation
Germination seeds are purchased in specialized stores or collected from flowering plants. This method of reproduction has several disadvantages:
- hybrids do not always inherit the properties of maternal instances;
- seeds collected from unripe box fruits have low germination.
To grow a flower from seeds, the following soil compositions are suitable:
- perlite, compost, humus, turf in equal amounts;
- peat with sand, sheet land in the proportions of 1: 2.
Balsam Tom Tamb Seed
Seeds for seedlings are sown in February - early March. Work Stages:
- Seeds are soaked for 10 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then left for 30 minutes in warm water.
- The soil in the landing container is moistened.
- Seeds are sown at a distance of 4-5 mm. Sprinkle with a thin layer of sand.
- The container is covered with a film or glass to maintain moisture.
- Provide temperature conditions + 24-260 C.
- Landings are aired daily. Seedlings are tempered to make plants resistant to disease.
- After the first seedlings appear, they organize a backlight so that the sprouts do not stretch.
- As necessary, the soil is moistened.
- After the appearance of the third real leaf, seedlings are dived.
Caring for balsam in the flowerbed
Many gardeners are happy to plant balsam in the areas, cultivation and care require a minimum of time. Care consists in regular watering and fertilizing.
Watering mode
Watered with a touch of plenty. A stream of water is directed exactly under the bush so that moisture does not fall on the buds and flowers. For irrigation use settled water.
Note! In hot, dry weather, plants are sprayed from the spray gun. Do this so that moisture falls only on the leaves. Spraying is carried out twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. After watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil.
Lush flowering dressing
Fertilizers are applied twice a week, along with watering. Young plants are fed with nitrogen compounds. They contribute to the growth of green mass. Mixtures with phosphorus and potassium are suitable for lush flowering. At the end of summer, feeding is stopped.
The bright flowering of balsamins in the garden opens up wide opportunities for creating spectacular flower beds, borders, lawns, flowerpots. A variety of colors and shapes allows you to find an annual worthy application in the country.
