Unpretentious and pleasing with abundant flowering balsam is the favorite of all florists without exception.
The bright variety of shades of its flowers makes you want to have as many species of this wonderful plant as possible in your floral collection.
Buy seeds numerous varieties of balsam is not difficult.
And to grow an elegant flower from seeds is even easier and within the power of even a novice florist.
Buying seeds
One of the important conditions for the successful cultivation of balsam is quality seeds... When choosing them, it is important to pay attention to the following aspects.
Shelf life... Balsam seeds remain viable for 7 to 8 years. However, it is recommended to give preference to fresh seeds to ensure germination. When choosing, studying the information on the sachet, it is important to pay attention not to the period of sale of seeds, but to the period of their collection, by which you can determine their freshness.
Annual or perennial... Balsamin has both annual and perennial varieties. You can decorate the balcony with annual plant varieties. For indoor cultivation, it is better to give preference to perennial varieties so that they delight the eye with luxurious flowering for more than one year.
Variety or mix... When buying seeds, it is important to know that a mixture of varieties makes it possible to grow flowers of unexpected shades for a grower, but it can also be disappointing for the lack of varietal traits in the grown balsams. The classic variety guarantees the desired shape and color range of flowers.
Reliable manufacturer... Experienced growers advise buying seeds only from large seed companies and reliable, time-tested stores.
Harvesting balsam seeds
Those who like to experiment can try grow young plants from self-collected seeds of the home plant balsam.
However, to get seeds in indoor conditions, the plant will need artificial pollination. To do this, during the flowering period, collect pollen with a brush and spread it along the pistils with several strokes.
After the end of flowering, the plant forms fruit, which, when ripe, turn into dry translucent capsules with many very small seeds.
Collect seeds should be done very carefully. At the slightest awkward touch, the boxes instantly crumble and the seeds scatter in all directions. For this reason, the balsam is called "touchy".
Box with seeds you need to pluck in the morning, holding it between your fingertips. In the morning, the fruit with seeds is slightly moist and not so slippery, so there is a chance not to lose the contents. The collected seeds must be dried and folded into a paper bag.
Seeds will not lose germination within 7 - 8 years.
Growing balsam from seeds, you need to prepare for the fact that a plant with an unexpected color of flowers that has lost varietal characteristics can grow from a seed.
Read about reproduction with us.
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Preparing seeds and soil for sowing
Before sowing balsam seeds should be placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10 minutes, and then soaked in warm water for a day.
The next thing to do is land preparation for planting. Balsam seedlings are very sensitive to the composition of the soil, which should be loose and slightly acidic. For this, a self-prepared mixture of equal parts of the following is well suited components:
- peat land (2 parts);
- sheet land (1 part);
- vermiculite (1 part);
- river coarse sand (1 part).
You can buy ready-made land for seedlings in the store. But it is imperative to add one fifth of vermiculite or sand to it, which will make the soil loose and breathable. This will give the earth the opportunity to dry out faster, and weak seedlings will not die from excessive moisture.
Capacity for seedlings, you should choose a size of about 7 cm in height or a little more. To do this, you can take a plastic container, a wide bowl or pot. It is necessary to make holes in the bottom of the container and provide it with a layer of expanded clay 2 cm thick.
Such precaution will not allow water to linger in the soil and save seedlings from root rot. On the eve of sowing, you need to fill the container with earth and spill it with a solution of "Fitosporin", which improves the microflora of the soil and protects against such a serious problem as the "black leg".
Sowing seeds
When the basic preparations are made, you can begin to propagate the balsam by seeds.
Ideal sowing time- mid-March. In June it will already be possible to admire the first blossoming flowers of the young balsam.
When sowing seeds should be placed more spaciously and at an equal distance from each other to provide uniform illumination of the seedlings.
The seeds should be sown superficially, gently pressing them with a damp toothpick to the soil, but not dipping them into it, so that the seeds receive enough light to germinate.
Next you need spray crops water and place the container in a plastic bag, filling it with air. A warm place and good lighting are essential for successful germination. However, the seedlings should be protected from direct sunlight.
Optimum temperature for seed germination - from +22 to +25 ° C.
After about 3 weeks appear first shoots... During this time, it is important to adhere to the following actions:
As often as possible ventilate crops and shake off the accumulated condensate from the "greenhouse" to protect the seeds from air stagnation and fungal infection.
Moisten the soil from a spray bottle, avoiding both overdrying and waterlogging of the soil. Supplement the seedlings with a phytolamp in the morning, in the evening and on a cloudy day.
When the first shoots appear gently sprinkle damp earth on the young, bare roots.
Watering the seedlings, it is important to ensure that water does not fall on the root collar of a young plant in order to avoid rotting. Experienced flower growers advise using the "bottom watering" method, that is, pouring water into the tray on which there is a container with seedlings.
With proper care balsam seedlings are developing rapidly. When the first true leaves appear, you can dive the sprouts into separate containers. Small plastic cups are great for this. It is important not to forget to make drainage holes in them and put some expanded clay on the bottom.
If the seedlings too elongated due to lack of light, when diving, the lower parts of the long stems should be deepened deeper. It is recommended to keep the cups with small balsams in the "greenhouse" for a little more, accustoming them to fresh air gradually.
At adequate lighting and with regular watering, the seedlings become strong and stocky, starting to bush early. If young plants do not want to branch in any way, you need to pinch the tops for the active formation of side shoots. The more new shoots grow, the more luxuriant the bush will grow and the more abundantly it will bloom.
When young plants they will grow noticeably and their roots will be completely entwined with an earthen lump, you can transplant them into new permanent pots and wait for a bright scattering of delicate balsam flowers to appear.
As you can see, grow balsam from seeds not that difficult. You just need to adhere to some planting rules, as well as give the seedlings a little care and love - and a balsam garden with a multicolored scattering of beautiful flowers will bloom in your home.
And for the most curious, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video of growing balsam from seeds.
It is also called touchy and "Vanka wet". These common "names" of garden balsam characterize the plant as accurately as possible: it absolutely "does not like" when it is touched during the ripening of seed pods - they burst at the slightest touch, scattering the seeds; but the balsam very much welcomes moisture - you can often see picturesque water droplets on its leaves.
Knowing about this property of garden balsam - to scatter seeds on their own, many gardeners do not really care about their collection, storage and spring planting, believing that the plant itself knows how and when to reproduce. But such carelessness can become erroneous and destroy the plant, since it is very thermophilic and, in the absence of human care and control, can die during spring frosts. Often from flower growers one has to hear complaints that caring for annuals takes too much time and effort, and there is almost no return: they bloom for a short time and not abundantly. Garden balsam is subjected to similar criticism, growing from the seeds of which, although not difficult, is very troublesome. But when the flower bed comes to life, thanks to the "waterfall" of bright and fresh flowers, you don't have to regret that you spent time and patience on balsam. Waller's balsam is especially good in bloom - the most lush and actively branching of all varieties, has a well-developed bush and many inflorescences. It is not at all difficult to grow this type of garden balsam from seeds, it is the most picky among fellows and the most grateful - in response to care it gives the usual beauty - long-blooming and abundant. The most remarkable of the qualities in garden balsam is the long-term ability of its seeds to germinate: they are suitable for planting and high-quality germination for 6-8 years. But, like any other garden plant, balsam has some requirements for the soil, its processing, the planting period and the care of seedlings and flowers. There are two proven methods for growing garden balsam: sowing seeds in open ground and for seedlings. Both provide for seeds as the initial stage of growth and development of a full-fledged plant. In any case, a beautiful flower starts with a tiny seed. To properly organize all stages of the "life" of balsam, you must adhere to certain rules: Garden balsam, whose photos delight and inspire floricultural exploits, is a very beautiful plant, but in order to achieve abundant flowering from the beginning of summer until frost, you need to keep your eyes on it. Although some gardeners argue that balsam does not care where it grows, that it tolerates the sun and shade equally, the plant will grow better and bloom longer in the shade - direct sunlight can seriously harm both leaves and flowers, setting the plant on fire and making it gaunt and unsuitable for full bloom. Balsams do not tolerate heat well - when the temperature is too high, the plants begin to wilt. The stems of this flower are so fragile that they can break off even if the plant is not touched by anyone - unless a light breeze, or the weight of its own leaves. When growing garden balsam from seeds, it should be remembered that the plant spends almost all its energy on the formation of inflorescences and constantly needs minerals. Therefore, it is necessary to feed the handsome balsam regularly. Top dressing is carried out only on the leaves - not into the ground. It all starts with the seeds - the phrase is not so much poetic as factual. A sprout, a flower, a lush balsamic bush originate from a handful of seeds, which must be properly prepared for sowing and looked after in all forms: seed - sprout - an adult flowering plant. The cultivation of garden balsam begins with the preparation of the soil. Anyone who does not like to tinker with plants for a long time and believes that growing garden balsam is absolutely the same both from seedlings and directly from seeds, sows culture directly to the garden bed (flower bed, rabatka).
How to "get" a flower from a seed. Instructions for gardeners
Things to Avoid When Growing Balsam
Growing balsam from seeds for seedlings. Step by step
Immediately - to the garden
Depending on the type, balsams are both perennial and annual, They are characterized by a straight stem that can grow up to 50 cm, rather fleshy leaves of a lanceolate or oval shape, the color is green, purple-bronze. The flowers are located inside the axils of the leaves, usually pink or red, in hybrid varieties there are a variety of colors with the exception of yellow and blue.
Balsams begin to bloom at the end of spring and continue until late autumn. However, in the presence of favorable conditions, flowering can last throughout the year.
In general, balsams do not require particularly careful maintenance, they are resistant to dry microclimate. They belong to heat-loving plants, drafts are harmful to them, they love light. Many domestic species tolerate short periods of drying out well. At the same time, overheating and high humidity have a negative effect on them.
They take root well in the shade of trees, and even those planted on the north side will develop quite well, as they are adapted to growing in the shade. In the cold season, balsams should be placed in a well-lit place with an air temperature of approx. 15 °, moderate watering is required. In the summer, you can land in the garden, but in the fall, return it back to the windowsill. This planting is best done in July, then the plant can better acclimatize.
Landing
Balsams, purchased for the purpose of planting in the garden, are planted after the end of return frosts. A hole is dug into which fertilizers and compost are poured. Seedlings that have not yet been removed from the pot should be watered. Having pulled out the plant, it is imperative to spread the roots, trying not to shake the earth off them. The depth of the hole in which the balsam is planted should approximately coincide with the height of the pot in which it grew earlier. The hole is covered with earth, compacted to provide the necessary planting strength to the plant, mulched.
In order for the balsams to acquire a more bushy appearance, the tops of the seedlings should be trimmed or pinched. Dead inflorescences are not removed, very soon they will be replaced by new ones.
Photo gallery
The soil
Balsams, which are bred at home, need to provide light, loose soil. It should be nutritious, but in moderation, as too highly nutritious soil will lead to intensive leaf growth and at the same time negatively affect flowering. With regard to looseness, it is also better to stick to the golden mean. Optimal for balsams will be slightly acidic soils, consisting of equal proportions of humus, compost, perlite and turf. You can also take 2 parts of leafy earth, to which you mix 1 part of sand and peat.
Lighting and temperature
This plant loves sunlight, it should be placed in the shade only on especially hot days. In the shade, the balsam bush will grow better in height, but the flowering will become less abundant. In winter, additional lighting may become relevant, balsams do not have periods of rest, and a lack of light has a bad effect on flowering.
Summer temperature regime is in the range of 20 ° -22 °, in winter the temperature should not be allowed to drop below 13 °, and for species with variegated leaves the minimum is 15 °.
Humidity and watering
Since balsam is quite hygrophilous, in hot weather it must be provided with moist soil, thus, watering should be very abundant in summer, and more moderate in winter. At temperatures above 20 °, it is recommended to spray twice a day, but so that the flowers remain dry. Watering is carried out around the circumference of the pot, avoiding contact with the root collar. We must not forget about the timely drainage of the accumulated water from the sump.
For irrigation, it is recommended to use soft water, previously settled. Watering with hard water can cause limescale deposits on the soil and make the plant look sick. In this case, it is necessary to remove the top layer of soil and fill in a new one. In order for the root system to "breathe" better, from time to time it is necessary to loosen the surface, capturing approx. 1 cm of ground.
Features of growing garden balsam (video)
Top dressing
It is required from spring to early autumn. They are fed every two weeks with a complex fertilizer in the amount of a half dose. Balsam blooming in winter can also be fed after the buds appear. It is better to use for this purpose a mineral solution of low concentration, which is added to the soil after watering.
During the flowering period, top dressing should contain potassium with phosphorus, but not nitrogen. Diseased plants should not be fed; the plant transplanted to a new place begins to be fed only after 3 weeks.
Reproduction
Balsam is propagated by cuttings and seeds. For propagation by cuttings, a healthy shoot is selected, cut off, and then placed in a container with water or moist soil. As a rule, cuttings take root pretty soon, then they must be dived into small pots (approx. 10 cm in diameter).
For the winter months, it is better to place the pot in a room with good access to light and a temperature of approx. 15 °, plant in the spring.
Balsam grown from a spring cut can bloom in the same summer, summer specimens will bloom in the fall and continue to bloom throughout the winter. When rooting occurs in the fall, the plant will need extra warmth and light to safely avoid the risk of rot infestation on the cuttings.
Seeds can be sown in a box as early as March, then dive into the pots. In late spring, it can be planted in the ground. In order for the balsam to bloom in May, it should be sown no later than January. The seeds are pre-soaked in warm water, and before that they must be kept in a manganese solution (10 minutes).
The substrate (peat, sand, perlite) must be moist, the sown seeds are covered with glass or polyethylene, the temperature is maintained at 18 ° -20 °. Regular airing and moisturizing is very important. After the appearance of two leaves, the seedlings dive into the pots, it will take about 4 months to grow seedlings.
Garden balsam is a plant of the Balsamin family. Its most common names are "Vanka wet" and "Impatient". The second is due to the fact that the plant, during ripening, bursts even from a light touch and scatters seeds. In the middle latitudes of Russia, garden balsam is grown simultaneously as an annual and a perennial plant. The birthplace of balsam is China. Planting and grooming, according to some gardeners, is a rather cumbersome business. The plant requires special attention. Balsam is used in folk medicine, although it is considered poisonous. It is especially popular in landscape design.
Garden balsam: types, varieties and photos
In horticulture, approximately 400 varieties of both annual and perennial balsams are known. They are classified as cultivated and ornamental plants.
- Garden balsam- the most famous species. In fact, this is a perennial plant, but due to its lack of frost resistance, it is grown in the open field as an annual. It has sharp-nosed petals, the color of which includes almost the entire color palette. No wonder this plant is called "fire". In apartments and other enclosed spaces it can grow for more than 2 years. There are not very many varieties of balsam: "Camellia Flowered", "Baby Bush" and "That Thumb".
- Waller's balsam- a bright plant growing all year round. Has a memorable color of flowers that cover the entire surface of the balsam. Flowering occurs from June until frost appears. Before frost, it is advisable to transfer it to the house. The most common varieties are celebrated - "Stardust", "Frosty", "Symphony" and many others.
- New guinea- perennial, hybrid obtained as a result of selection of Hawker's balsam with some species. It has a full stem, and its height reaches half a meter. Among the varieties of this type of balsam are "Harmony", "Divaro", "Mini Jini", "Java", "Jungle Rain", "Macarena" and "RainforestExotic".
Planting balsam
Planting a plant can be done both in a pot and in open ground. It is carried out mainly by seeds. Although you can buy an already adult plant.
Advice. Balsams prefer slightly acidic soil, so add peat before planting in a pot.
The germination of the plant is high quality. Planting is carried out one seed at a time in a separate pot.
- Within 3 weeks after planting, the plant must be kept at home.
- After the emergence of shoots, the balsam must be transferred to a cool place, for example, to a loggia.
- When the plant reaches 5 cm in height, it should be transplanted into a separate pot or open ground.
- The root should be pinched off a little. This is done to stimulate root development.
- Balsam is planted in shallow pits, slightly crushing the soil.
- Loosen the soil around the plant. In order for the plant to be lush and grow better, the crown should be cut off.
Caring for the "touchy"
All types of balsams are sun-loving plants. In the summer, they are planted in open ground.
Planting is done no earlier than June, so that the plant can acclimatize.
Advice. The best option for balsam outdoors is partial shade.
In the winter season, a perennial needs additional lighting. With its lack or absence, balsams stop blooming.
The main problem in caring for a plant is the need to comply with the temperature regime. The optimum temperature for him in the summer is from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius, in the winter from 13 to 16. Frequent drops have a negative effect on the plant.
In summer, watering balsam should be abundant, and infrequent in autumn and winter. When watering, it is important to remember the balance: the plant should not be dry or very moist, as this leads to rotting of the roots.
Fertilizers are used exclusively in the summer, once every 14 days. In winter, the perennial is fertilized only when it blooms. In this case, mineral fertilizers are suitable.
Plant propagation
Reproduction of balsam can be done in two ways.
- Seeds. The plant has high germination characteristics. Sowing is best done in spring. In advance, balsam seeds are soaked in warm water for 10 minutes.
- By cuttings. Cut off the tops of the plant up to 5 cm long, immersed in water until the roots appear. They do this, like sowing with seeds, in the spring. The process is quick and easy. To improve the development of the bush, cuttings should be pinched.
Dangers: diseases and pests
Like many representatives of the flora, balsam is susceptible to disease and insect attack.
- Rot is a consequence of abundant watering during the cold season. To exclude the appearance of rot, water should not be allowed to stagnate in the soil or pot.
- The spider mite is a serious enemy for the touch-me-not. Modern chemicals will help to exterminate the pest.
- The whitefly is also a nasty pest. The falling leaves are the result of her work. The fight against this unpleasant insect is carried out with the help of some chemicals.
Floral arrangements or combinations with plants
Gardeners prefer to plant balsam in group plantings. It goes well with begonias and bells. Some people like the composition of balsam with violets. Balsam looks interesting in a company with boxwood.
"Vanka wet" is widely used in landscape design. It is used to decorate alpine slides, flower beds. Garden balsam is also used to decorate borders and create mixboxers.
Garden balsam is an annual that, with careful care, can become a perennial plant. Growing it is possible both at home and in the open field. Planting, breeding and caring for a plant can seem quite daunting to some. But the beauty of the annual and its fabulous flower-lights compensate for everything in full.
Growing garden balsam: video
Garden balsam: photo
Balsam or wet Roly is a beautiful lush bush with dark green foliage. He fell in love with flower growers due to its bright flowering. During this period, the plant is covered with many flowers of various colors, moreover, with proper care, flowering can last all year. Despite the fact that balsam is a houseplant, it can also be planted in a flower bed in summer.
At home, balsam is easy to grow from seeds. The main thing is to choose them correctly (or collect them) and provide all conditions for the growth of seedlings.
Selection and preparation of seeds
Purchased seeds are used to grow balsams. If you already have an adult flowering plant at home, you can harvest the seeds yourself.
When buying seeds from a store, you should pay attention to the following:
- The seeds must be of high quality, so you need to purchase them only from trusted suppliers.
- To get a houseplant, seeds of perennial varieties are chosen, and annuals are used for planting in open ground.
- To preserve varietal traits, you should not choose a mixture of seeds, it is better to take each species separately.
- Despite the fact that the seeds can be stored for more than 6 years, the highest germination rate is in the freshly harvested ones.
You can collect seeds from your home after it has faded. In place of the fallen inflorescences, small fruits are formed, and when they ripen, seed pods.
When collecting seeds, you should do this very carefully. At the slightest wrong movement, the capsule bursts and the seeds scatter. Because of this, balsam is also called Impatient.
Before sowing, treat the seeds for 10 minutes in a warm weak solution of potassium permanganate. Then soak in clean water for a day.
Soil preparation
For successful germination of balsam seeds, loose nutrient soil is selected. The substrate is purchased in a store or prepared independently by mixing:
- one part of sand, garden soil and vermiculite:
- two pieces of peat.
To prevent the disease "black leg" the soil is recommended to be watered with Fitosporin.
Sowing seeds
In a wide, but not deep container (no more than 10 cm), lay out a drainage layer of expanded clay and sprinkle it with soil. Hook the seed with a damp toothpick and lower it into the container, without deepening, but only slightly pressing it to the ground.
It is also convenient to grow small balsam seeds directly in peat tablets.
Spray the sown seeds with a spray bottle and cover the container with foil. Put it on a lighted windowsill, avoiding direct rays, in a room with a temperature of at least 25 degrees.
Balsam seedling care
After the sprouts appear (after three weeks), remove the film. If necessary, the seedlings are supplemented with illumination, and also add earth as the seedlings are pulled out. It is better to water the seedlings in a tray to avoid root rot.
As soon as the seedlings reach 2 cm in height and form 2 true leaves, they begin to pick into separate cups. To stimulate the formation of side shoots, pinch the tops after a week.
Young balsams will be ready for transplantation to a permanent place when they form bushes, and the roots completely encircle the earth in a glass.
Balsam: growing and care - video