Balsam. growing from seeds

For a very long time, balsam, due to its extreme unpretentiousness and ease of care, was grown as a houseplant. This flower has almost no dormant period, blooms brightly, colorfully and for a long time. Impatiens are increasingly being grown in the garden, because the plant blooms soon after planting and decorates the area all summer, until late autumn. Growing garden balsam from seeds is simple, even beginner gardeners can do it.

Description

All garden impatiens are shrubs with a height of 25 to 50 cm.

The leaves of the plant are elongated, and droplets appear on them during the dew process, for which reason the balsam is also called “Wet Vanka”.

At the base of the leaf, the plant produces flowers that can have a wide variety of colors. Hybrid varieties with double flowers have been bred. In nature there are no balsams with yellow and blue flowers. Flowering begins at the end of May and continues until frost. There are many types of balsams that grow in nature. Many of them are grown in culture.

Growing from seeds

The easiest way to grow balsam is by sowing seeds. But the seeds must be collected in time, as the seed pods burst and they scatter around on the ground. As soon as you notice that the seed pods begin to burst, you should immediately begin collecting seeds. Do not worry that you will collect unripe seeds, since only well-ripened boxes will tear off and burst.

The collected seeds are placed in a fabric bag or cardboard box and stored in a dark and dry place until January-February. Already at the end of winter, balsam seeds can be sown for seedlings, after soaking them in a weak solution of manganese for half an hour. It is advisable to sow the seeds in special soil for balsams, which can be purchased at a specialty store.

But seeds can also be sown in a soil mixture consisting of peat and sand, taken in equal parts. Before sowing, the soil is moistened, and then the seeds are sown on top. There is no need to plant the seeds deeply - it is enough to press them with your fingers to a depth of 2 mm. This way the sprouts will germinate faster and will receive the oxygen they need. Containers with sown seeds are covered with film or covered with glass to create a greenhouse effect. The soil should be moistened daily and the greenhouses should be ventilated.

Growing balsams from seeds can be divided into stages:

The 1st stage lasts approximately 3-5 days. At the first stage, the seeds germinate. For them, the optimal air temperature is +26 degrees. It is also necessary to provide good lighting in the room so that the seeds germinate well.
The 2nd stage has already lasted 10 days. At the second stage, active growth of seedlings occurs. Plants grow quickly and need a lot of light. But boxes with seedlings cannot be exposed to the sun, as direct sunlight will destroy them. At the second stage, it is necessary to treat the soil in which the seedlings grow with phytosporin. It is enough to prepare a solution and spill it on the ground. Excessive soil moisture should not be allowed when watering, but a lack of moisture can be detrimental to tender shoots.
Stage 3 lasts from two to three weeks. At this stage, young plants acquire their first true leaves. Practically, growing from seeds is already completed, because the plants are almost ready to be transplanted into separate pots or into open ground. At this stage, it is optimal to maintain the room temperature around +23 degrees.
The 4th stage lasts only a week. At this stage, it is necessary to harden the young plants, gradually lowering the temperature in the room to +16 degrees.

But, if you do not want to wait for the time to collect seeds, then you can grow balsam by cuttings. You can take cuttings even during the flowering period of the plant.

For cuttings, choose the strongest and most beautiful plant, and cut off its top. The cutting is buried in wet sand, and the container is covered with glass or covered with a transparent film. You can plant cuttings either in clean river sand or in vermiculite. Within a week, roots will form on the cutting, and it can be transplanted into balsam soil into a permanent pot.

If you need to grow a lot of flowers, then choose a large plant and place it in a dark room for several days. Due to the lack of light, the shoots of impatiens grow longer, and you can grow many plants. All elongated shoots are cut off, all the leaves from the bottom of the cuttings are torn off, and placed in clean water. Within a few days, roots will appear on the cuttings and they can be planted in the ground.

Care

Impatiens love light, but diffused light. A sparse tree crown or a small shadow from a fence will protect the flowers from the scorching sun. Impatiens grows well and blooms well in diffused sunlight. You should not plant these flowers in direct sunlight or in areas where cold winds blow - impatiens will not grow in such conditions.

Impatiens prefer loose soil that is well drained. It is desirable that the soil has low acidity. Before planting seedlings or sowing seeds, the soil must be treated with fungicides, fed with manure and well moistened.

Anyone who knows what balsam looks like during flowering does not need to prove that this flower can become the main decoration of the garden throughout the entire summer season. Even the most modest area, not yet inhabited by other garden plants, can be decorated with a magnificent flower.

Flowerbeds filled only with balsams of various colors look great.
The baskets and flower pots in which these flowers are planted look great.
Impatiens look great both in single plantings and in group plantings, next to other flowering plants.
This plant can be used to green up an unsightly balcony or veranda in the summer, because the lush color and bright colors of balsams will give the room a festive, elegant look.

Planting and caring for this flower is very simple. Even inexperienced gardeners can cope with sowing seeds or cuttings. Garden balsam does not require special skills or knowledge when planting.

This flower will make your area elegant and festive, and will not require attention and daily care. Flower growers love this plant for its very long flowering period, bright colors and extreme unpretentiousness.

If you have a free corner on your site, be sure to sow impatiens. The plant is really not picky, and a flower bed with balsams will attract attention throughout the summer.

An annual plant with beautiful lush flowering, balsam, is loved by many summer residents and gardeners. For some time, the flower was less popular, but now it is being remembered again. Let's look at how to properly grow balsam from seeds at home in order to get good seedlings.

Flowers of different fullness, volume and shade are the plant’s calling card

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

The following crops are most widespread.

Garden balsam

Original inflorescences make this variety indispensable in flower beds

It is characterized by strong stems, densely covered with narrow, elongated, jagged leaves and flowers arranged in a chaotic manner at their bases. Due to the ability to form a dense crown, this branched variety is often planted in the garden, hence the name.

At the end of flowering, you can see seed pods on the shoots, which are easily dispersed by the wind. However, in climates with cold winters, this method of propagation does not help garden balsam grow naturally. The seedlings still have to be kept indoors until spring.

The Tom Samb variety resembles peonies with its flower

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

Waller's balsam

The delicate shades of this variety bring romance to garden design.

Most often used as an indoor flower. This variety loves moisture very much, 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 of this variety makes it very popular among gardeners.

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

Terry

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

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

New Guinea

Flowers in warm colors please the eye and lift your spirits.

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

New Guinea balsam has large flowers and variegated leaves with white and pink splashes. This is an annual plant that does not tolerate strong temperature changes. Otherwise, this variety is unpretentious.

Camellia

Luxurious-looking and easy-to-care variety Camellia

It got its name thanks to the large lush flowers of bright colors. On the usual tall stems with narrow jagged leaves, fiery buds are formed, resembling roses or camellias. It tolerates any conditions well and retains its beautiful appearance until autumn.

Cutie

Long-term flowering in indoor and outdoor conditions has made Cutie a favorite variety of many gardeners

Thanks to the formation of a neat bush no higher than 20 cm, it received indoor status. 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.

The dwarf variety is used in the design of flower beds

Actively produces buds even in low light. Due to its low bush, they prefer to plant it in small pots to decorate the area. The main colors are pale pink and purple.

Safari

The Safari variety is preferable for growing indoors

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

Ferruginous balsam

Zheleznokosny - a wild variety, not specially grown

A wild member of the family. It has characteristic narrow long leaves. The strong stem reaches a height of 2 m. It usually grows in unfavorable places: near fences, next to accumulations of garbage.

Unlike garden balsams, ironweed is not planted on purpose. The variety, which blooms with small purple-pink buds, is considered harmful to other crops, so it is not recommended to specifically plant it in the garden.

This variety of varieties allows gardeners to choose the most suitable size and color to decorate their site. Throughout the warm period, decorative species delight the eye with incredible lush flowering.

Seed preparation

Seedlings of this annual plant for placement in open ground begin to be prepared in advance. Ornamental balsam is grown from seeds. They are obtained in two main ways - on your own or by purchasing them in a store.

Self-harvesting

Many people are interested in whether it is possible to use the flowers that are already growing on the site to obtain 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 resulting transparent boxes. The problem is that they burst open even with a very light touch, scattering seeds everywhere. Therefore, balsam has a second name - impatiens. With indoor varieties the process is more complicated, since they will have to be deliberately pollinated.

Collecting seed pods must be done very carefully

It is recommended to collect the seeds when the boxes become slightly damp from 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, you should expect that from the harvested seeds a plant will appear that will bloom in unpredictable tones.

In-store purchase

Gardeners who do not want to waste time on collecting and drying can easily purchase the seeds of the flowers they like in specialized centers with goods for the garden. Usually there are many varieties available for those who are interested in growing balsam.

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

The method of preparing 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 does not require much effort. However, it is important to carry out the work in advance, so that by the time it is possible to plant flowers in open ground, the sprouts are sufficiently strong.

First you need to prepare all the materials:

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

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

Spraying and storage under film or cover until full shoots appear.
Regular ventilation of the greenhouse and removal of condensation.
Monitoring for possible decay.
Sprinkling a thin layer of soil on top of young seedlings to cover the roots.
Creation of artificial lighting in cloudy weather conditions.

It is recommended to prepare seedlings from the third week of March. When the sprouts are strong enough and form small leaves, they are planted in separate cups with holes made in the bottom and a mandatory layer of drainage. At first, the separated shoots are provided with greenhouse conditions for successful adaptation. Then, gradually increasing the ventilation time, they are accustomed to normal conditions.

If all conditions for caring for balsam are met at this stage, the seedlings will be viable and miniature bushes will begin to form indoors. The stronger they are, the faster the plant will bloom after being placed in open ground. Comfortable temperature – from 20 to 25°C.

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

How to pick impatiens, growing from seeds, when to plant plants in the ground - these topics always worry lovers of green spaces with the arrival of spring. Problems may arise when purchasing planting material due to the large selection of interesting varieties and hybrids of this beautiful flower for indoors or outdoor areas.

Balsam - growing from seeds

When planning to grow balsams from seeds at home, you need to choose the right varieties or hybrids of this crop, based on specific conditions. You can plant any type of this plant in a garden or flowerbed, but in an apartment it will be problematic to care for a flowerpot 1-2 m high. Garden balsam is not suitable for small indoor spaces; it is better to grow compact forms up to 25-30 cm high in a room.

Popular types of balsam:

To grow high-quality seedlings of this crop from seeds and then transplant them into open ground, it takes up to 3.5-4 months. Based on this, you can easily calculate that the optimal time for sowing balsam seedlings in most regions falls in mid-February or early March. Seeds are planted in peat cups or in a common container.

How to plant balsam seeds?

If you want to get your own healthy seedlings, then you need to first study the advice of experienced gardeners on how to grow balsam at home, growing from seeds, and when to plant a beautiful flower in unprotected soil. It is not necessary to purchase ready-made soil in stores; the nutrient substrate is easy to prepare yourself. You need to mix 1 part vermiculite, 1 part sand, 1 part leaf soil and 2 parts lowland peat.

Planting balsam seeds for seedlings:

We pickle the balsam seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate for 10 minutes.
Next, soak the material for a day in warm water.
It is advisable to select a container for sowing with a height of 8 cm.
We make holes in the bottom of the box to drain liquid.
We lay expanded clay on the bottom up to 2 cm high.
Pour soil into the container.
To disinfect the soil, you can bake it in the oven a day before sowing or treat it with Fitosporin.
Soaked seeds should be planted in the ground without being buried, lightly pressing them to the surface with the tip of a toothpick.
The substrate is moistened using a spray bottle and covered with a bag until shoots emerge, leaving a gap for air to enter.

When working with a small amount of planting material, it is more convenient to grow balsam in. In this case, the sprouts are strong, less dirt is formed, and the container is easy to place on the windowsill. The tablets are moistened with water until they swell. Then, without covering it with soil, we plant the seeds one at a time, gently pressing them to the ground. It is advisable to cover the container with film and place it in a warm and bright place, but not in direct sunlight.

Under optimal conditions, balsam seedlings appear within a week. Often the sprouts do not hatch smoothly, but you should not despair. Planting material in stores is sold in different quality and shelf life. You need to wait up to 2 more weeks, during which time all living replacements will germinate. Be sure to remove the lid or bag after the sprouts appear and transfer the container to a bright place; grow at a temperature within 17-20°C.

Often, amateur gardeners experience the death of young shoots or a poor percentage of healthy seedlings. This happens to inexperienced beginners who do not observe the temperature regime, water balsam incorrectly, grow from seeds, when to plant, and do not adhere to deadlines. There are several reasons that significantly influence the pipping of planting material, some depend on the gardener himself, and others on weather factors.

Why balsam seeds do not germinate:

Impatiens seedlings have stretched out, what should I do?

Often there is an unpleasant stretching of sprouts, which makes it difficult to care for, pick, and leads to lodging of plants on the soil. The reason lies in the early sowing of seeds, poor lighting in early spring, and elevated room temperatures. If the balsam seedlings have become very elongated, then the seedlings can be saved by adding soil to the level of the cotyledon leaves. When growing in deep containers or boxes, it is more convenient to do this, otherwise you will have to increase the sides to the desired height using waterproof material.

Timely balsam is produced no earlier than the young plant has fully developed two true leaves. Before this operation, we water the soil with the seedlings to reduce the risk of injuring the roots and thin stem. Use a spoon or spatula to pry up the seedling and remove it from the common box. The sprouts should be buried down to the cotyledon leaves. Picking can be done in plastic bags, glasses, cassettes. We make a hole in an individual container in advance to drain excess water.

It is not for nothing that balsam is very popular among lovers of garden flowers. This is a beautiful annual plant native to the subtropics. They decorate local lawns, flower beds, balconies and summer cottages. East Asia is considered the birthplace of balsam. From there the handsome man migrated to America and only in the 16th century ended up in Europe. You can learn more about how to grow balsam and how to care for it in this article.

Description of balsam

Garden balsam, also known as Impatiens balsamum, got its name for its great sensitivity. You just need to lightly touch the bud, and the seeds immediately fall off - the flower is in a hurry to give new life.

The plant reaches up to 70 cm in height. A very heat-loving flower, it can die at the slightest frost. It has large, irregularly shaped leaves, slightly pointed with small teeth. The flowers are ordinary or double, and have a wide range of colors - white, purple, red, lilac and others. The flowering time of balsam is from June to September or until the first frost.

Garden balsam has several more popular names:

“Vanka wet” - so named because of the droplets that form on the leaves. They appear on the eve of bad weather. For this plant it could quite deservedly be called the people's barometer;
“Hardworking Lizzie” or “Diligent Lisa” - this is how the flower is called for its long flowering;
“Beautiful wreath” - the balsam received this name for its luxurious appearance.

Unfortunately, breeders are not particularly interested in this species. In nature, there are only three varieties of garden balsam:

tall "Camellia Flowerd";
the short "Baby Bush";
short "Tom Thumb".

Obtaining garden balsam seeds

The easiest way is to buy seeds in a specialized store. But if you want to grow balsam from flowers that already grow in your garden, you can get the seeds from the buds yourself:

The seeds ripen in juicy green boxes; this happens by the end of August.
Take seeds from unripe flowers, since a well-ripened capsule can crumble in your hands at the slightest touch, and you will lose the seeds.
The boxes are stored in a dry room until fully ripe.
To check whether the boxes are ready for collecting seeds, you just need to lightly touch them - a mature box will immediately open.

Seed storage rules

If you feel that the seeds are still not completely dry, you need to dry them so that they do not spoil during storage:

Place the seeds in paper boxes.
Place the boxes in well-ventilated, dry places, away from water and moisture.
Stir the seeds periodically to prevent them from becoming moldy.

Rules for storing seeds:

Place the dried seeds in paper envelopes or small boxes.
Be sure to sign each box or envelope. Indicate the name of the plant, year and month of seed collection.
Store seeds for no longer than 8 years at a temperature of 0 - +10 ° C, relative humidity about 60%.

Growing balsam from seeds

Before growing balsam from seeds, you need to germinate them:

In order for the seeds to take root and beautiful, healthy flowers to grow from them, it is necessary to carefully prepare slightly acidic soil for seedlings. Two types of soil are suitable. The first is humus, compost, turf and perlite in equal parts. The second is 1 part sand and peat, 2 parts leaf soil.
The soil must be heated at a high temperature and treated with a fungicide to kill pests and various fungi. It is better to sow seeds in February. In this case, by the end of April you will have strong seedlings, which will subsequently produce early flowering.
Before sowing, dip the seeds in a weak solution of manganese for 10 minutes, then in warm water for another 30 minutes. Moisten the soil, plant the seeds and sprinkle them with a 3 mm layer of sterile sand. In order to maintain constant humidity and temperature not lower than +24 - +26° C, boxes with seedlings are packed in plastic bags or covered with film.
When the first shoots appear, the temperature can be lowered to +20° C and additional lighting can be provided to the seedlings. If there is insufficient light, the sprouts will stretch out greatly and become fragile.
There is another method of germinating seeds - using fabric. To do this, the seeds are wrapped in a wet cloth, which is constantly moistened with water until the sprouts begin to appear. After this, they are planted in prepared soil.

Picking seedlings:

When the seedlings sprout the first small leaves, you can start picking. To do this, you need to prepare a separate glass or small pot for each sprout. Fill them with the same soil in which the seeds were planted.
Be sure to make several small holes in the bottom of the dish through which excess moisture will escape. Make small depressions in the ground.
Carefully remove each seedling from the common box and transplant them into prepared glasses.
After picking, spray the seedlings with water from a spray bottle. Then moisten the seedlings as needed if the soil is dry. When 6-8 leaves appear on the seedlings, pinch the top, then the balsam bush will be more lush and the roots will be stronger.

Growing balsam from cuttings

Not everyone has the patience and time to grow balsam from seeds, but at the same time there is no opportunity to buy a lot of ready-made seedlings. In such cases, you can buy one flower in a pot and cut it out. Cuttings can be carried out both in winter and autumn. In order for garden balsam grown by cuttings to produce lush flowering, the following must be taken into account:

You will need shoots 5-6 cm long, with at least 3 leaves.
To begin, place the flower pot in a dark place. When the branches stretch out, cut them with a sharp knife or blade and place them in glasses of water for rooting. Make sure that the leaves do not end up in the water, otherwise they will begin to rot.
After 7-10 days, the cuttings will take root and will be ready to be transplanted into the ground. Maintain the room temperature at least 20-22° C and provide good lighting. Do not overdo it with watering the soil so that the roots of the seedlings do not rot.

Transplanting balsam into open ground

Unlike most finicky plants, balsam is not capricious and will not make growing difficult. In order to grow a bush, the gardener does not need special efforts. When choosing a landing site, keep in mind that:

Garden balsam feels good with any neighbors. He is patient with begonia, fuchsia, verbena and is not at all against the proximity to ageratum.
Impatiens grow best on eastern and western sides.
The main conditions for growing balsam are the absence of stagnant moisture, constant dampness, drafts and frequent cold weather.
Impatiens prefers to grow in loose, nutritious soil with reliable expanded clay drainage.
The plant does not like heat and acidic soil. Under these conditions, it stops blooming, its leaves fall off and the flower fades.
When you decide on a place to plant balsam, do not forget to fertilize the soil well with humus.

Preparing seedlings

By the beginning of May, the seedlings will be ready for planting in the ground. But weather conditions do not always allow this to be done before June. In order for the flowers to reliably take root in a new place and bloom beautifully, the seedlings need to be prepared a little:

Start lowering the temperature in the room where the seedlings lived.
Gradually accustom the seedlings to outdoor conditions - take the cups with flowers to the balcony or outside, if possible. Start with 10 minutes, increasing the time by another 10 minutes every day.

Planting seedlings in flower beds

The soil is already ready, the seedlings too, you can start planting flowers:

Well moisten the soil in which the seedlings grew 2-3 hours before transplanting.
Make depressions in the ground at a distance of no closer than 25-30 cm from each other.
Fertilize each hole with humus and add a little water.
Carefully, so as not to damage the roots, remove the seedlings from the ground and transplant them into a hole in the ground.
Compact the soil around each flower and mulch it to protect the soil from overheating and retain moisture.

You can see in the photo how balsam grown from seeds will turn out.

Caring for garden balsam

Balsam is very unpretentious and easy to care for. But still, there are some recommendations for caring for this beautiful flower:

The most important thing is to water the plants on time. Due to lack of moisture within 2-3 days, the leaves immediately begin to fade, curl into a tube, then completely wither and fall off. Never water flowers during the day when the sun is at its zenith. Do this in the evening, after sunset. And, of course, if it rains, the plants will not need additional watering.
Be sure to remove dried flowers from the stems, then your flowers will grow more actively and longer.
Feed the flowers with fertilizers every 15 days, then they will delight you with a riot of color for a long time. As a top dressing, use a complex fertilizer of potassium and nitrogen.

Diseases and pests of balsam

Like any other plant, garden balsam is susceptible to some diseases:

Cucumber mosaic - damaged flowers stop growing, leaves become wavy, covered with yellow spots and holes. Damaged leaves must be torn off. As a preventive measure, active control of aphids that carry the virus is used.
Ring mosaic - the leaves seem to become woody, crack and become covered with spots in the form of ring fingerprints. The flower gradually fades and eventually dies. Affected leaves should be removed.
Bronzing of leaves - slows down the growth of leaves and causes their deformation, after which they wrinkle and fall off. Plants affected by the virus are removed.
Viral mosaic - leaves become covered with yellow spots and take on a wavy shape. For prevention, plants are treated with a remedy against aphids and thrips, which spread this virus.
Spider mite - the mite weaves its web on the lower part of the leaves, which it gradually eats. For prevention, plants are treated with soap and affected leaves are removed.

As you can see, growing and caring for balsam is not such a difficult process. The most important thing to consider is that balsam is not at all picky, but does not tolerate frost and direct sunlight. When growing a flower from seeds and cuttings, it is necessary to maintain temperature and light conditions and regularly moisten the seedlings. After planting plants in the ground, we must not forget about timely watering and fertilizing balsam, as well as carry out disease prevention. If you follow all the recommendations, garden balsam will thank you with beautiful flowering throughout the summer.

Growing garden balsam. Video

Impatiens is a crop that is incredibly tender. Often it is also called “touchy.” Just a couple of years ago, this plant did not know such widespread popularity, but today gardeners began to actively use balsam when creating unique flower arrangements. Today, balsam can be grown both outdoors and indoors.

The culture is characterized by long flowering, during which you can observe flowers of crimson, purple, and red. In addition, they can be either simple or terry.

Description and varieties

In nature, balsam comes in a wide variety. Breeders were able to develop special varieties, which include:

Tom Thumb. This is an annual crop that is distinguished by a highly branched bush. Its height reaches 25 cm. The flowers are double and can be white, red, lilac, lilac and pink. In the photo - balsam Tom Thumb:
Balsam Tom Thumb
. This variety allows you to grow a pyramid-shaped plant. It has fleshy stems and flowers 4 cm in size. In June, double inflorescences are formed on the bush, the color range of which can range from white to lilac. It is also worth mentioning what rules exist for planting and caring for Thuja pyramidalis.
Waller. The variety is diverse. You can plant both simple and double flowers of various colors. The bushes are presented in a spherical shape, their height reaches 25-30 cm. The plant is distinguished by its abundant flowering throughout the season. The inflorescences can be red, carmine or soft pink. The petals may be a single color or have light stripes along the edges. But you can see what decorative flowering, frost-resistant, low, beautiful shrubs look like
Exotic dwarf. This hybrid variety is used when decorating balconies and loggias. The bushes have a short growth, which is 18-20 cm. Their leaves are lanceolate and bright. The petals can take on any color from pink to lilac-lilac. How to care for and grow Vinca rosea is indicated here
Exotic dwarf
New Guinea. This is a hybrid variety characterized by large and lush flowers.
New Guinea
Safari. This is a dwarf bush that is an annual. Flowering can be observed throughout the season. Flowers are presented in red, lilac, white, coral shades. Their size reaches 4 cm. You can see it here. what it looks like and how it happens

How and when to plant

To grow balsam from seeds, you need to prepare a wide container and take care of drainage. Place one seed at a time in a container, cover with soil and water. Moreover, there is no need to pick after the formation of two leaves.

It is necessary to plant planting material in light and loose soil, in which there is no organic matter. If you use compost to fertilize the soil, the seedlings will get sick. You still cannot plant seeds in acidic soil, as this will kill the plant.

It is best to use universal soil for planting balsam, which you can buy in the store. It contains the necessary amount of nutritional components. Such soil must be combined with sifted river sand in a 1:1 ratio.

In the video - growing balsam:

Irrigate the soil surface with water from a spray bottle, but there is no need to compact it. The soil should remain loose and allow air to pass well to the root system. Spread the seeds over the surface of the soil, keeping a distance of 2-3 cm. Then cover them a little with earth. In order for friendly shoots to form, it is necessary to place the container with seedlings on the windowsill, where there is diffused sunlight.

For those who want to learn more about how Iberis is planted as seedlings:

Before the seeds begin to hatch, the humidity in the container should be high. So you need to take care of building a greenhouse. For these purposes, you can simply cover the container with film or glass. To germinate seeds, it is necessary that the temperature in the room be 22-24 degrees.

If the temperature is reduced by at least one degree, it will not be possible to obtain friendly shoots. And if the temperature is increased, the embryos in the seeds die. As soon as the grains begin to hatch, reduce soil moisture. After 5 days from the moment of planting the seeds, it is worth opening the container for ventilation. Do this 2 times a day for 10 minutes. Afterwards the duration can be increased.

This way, young seedlings will be able to adapt to other temperatures. The temperature in the room should be within 22-24 degrees. Humidity will still be high. When the first 2 leaves appear, lower the temperature to 20 degrees.

When germinating crop seeds, it is necessary to achieve excellent lighting. Daylight hours should be 12 hours. To do this, you can use diffused sunlight or take care of artificial light lamps. If this condition is not met, the seedlings will begin to stretch.

As soon as 2 leaves are formed, you can start picking. No matter what variety you use to grow the plant, impatiens will produce quite tall shoots. To prevent the seedlings from falling during picking, the seedlings should be buried.

For picking, you should use plastic cups with a volume of 200 ml. They will be tall enough, so burying the seedling will not be difficult. In addition, you need to prepare a universal primer. During the transplanting process, you need to take into account that balsam seedlings are quite branched and the root system is fragile.

If it is damaged, the plant may die. When transplanting, you must use a special spoon. Remove the seedlings from the container with the earthen lump that surrounds the roots.

Care

Video shows how to care for flowers:

When balsam blooms, you can use complex fertilizers intended for flowering crops. They are applied in combination with watering every 14 days. It is also worth using fertilizing with potassium and phosphorus. At the end of summer, stop all feeding.