Indoor plants

Balsam (Impatiens)

Impatiens

Family Balsaminaceae. The native range of balsam (Impatiens) is tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa. More than 500 species of these herbaceous and shrub-like plants are known in nature. In Latin, impatiens is translated as "not enduring" (or "impatient"), therefore balsam received the common name "touch-me-not." This is connected with the fact that the ripe fruits of this plant, at the slightest touch, burst open and scatter their seeds.

Balsam has many names. Among the people it is called Lizzy the Busybody or "Vanka mokry" (wet Vanka). The first name appeared due to the plant's ability to bloom almost year-round. It was nicknamed "Vanka mokry" because of its love of moisture; with insufficient soil moisture the plant's stems and leaves immediately wilt.

Impatiens walleriana - up to 55-60 cm tall, with erect succulent stems. Leaves are alternate, broadly ovate, pointed at the tip, light green and finely toothed along the margin. Leaves up to 10 cm long; flowers about 4 cm in diameter, solitary or in small-flowered inflorescences with long pedicels. Flowers can be red, pink, white, reddish-orange or red-and-white. This species is the basis for many hybrids and cultivars, which may have varied leaf coloration, flower color and structure (single or double, uni- or bicolored).

Бальзамин
Watering: Abundant from spring to autumn – the soil should remain constantly moist; in winter water moderately – the soil should be slightly damp.

Fertilization: From March to September feed with a fertilizer for indoor decorative-flowering plants every two weeks.

Air humidity: Leaves should be misted periodically. Balsam does not like dry air, especially with central heating. When misting, it is undesirable to get water on the flowers, so heavily flowering plants are better kept on a tray with wet pebbles or expanded clay.

Repotting: Soil: 1 part clay-sod soil, 1 part leaf soil, 1 part humus soil, 1 part peat soil and 1 part sand. Balsam is best repotted annually in spring; it is not necessary to take a larger pot, as "Vanka mokry" does not like too roomy containers; it is sufficient to completely replace the soil. In addition, the plant can often be rejuvenated by cutting fresh, long, stronger cuttings and, after rooting them, planting them instead of the old plant; they will have time to grow substantially over the summer.

Propagation: By stem cuttings in spring, summer or autumn; they root well in water within one to two weeks. Also by seeds in spring.