Impatiens

Among the perennial species of the genus Impatiens (Impatiens), with over 500 species, the most important are undoubtedly Wallaire's balsam (Impatiens walleriana) - a plant derived from old species, balsam (I. balsamina) originally from East India, balsam Holst (I. Intensive selection allowed to bring out many hybrids and varieties, including perennial ones. In height, plants usually reach no more than 20-25 cm. Flowers are white, pink, carmine, scarlet or purple.

Cultivation

Balsam Wallera and balsam, or garden, very common species, are often used in gardening to equip garden beds and curbs, grown on internal or external window sills. These plants require careful soil preparation (loamy, rich in organic substances, unleavened), since they are easily susceptible to rooting of the roots and root neck. Sowing is carried out in winter, in containers or pots, and in April-May seedlings are planted at a permanent planting place.

Location

When balsam and Wallaire balsam are grown outdoors, they love a bright, but protected place from direct sunlight. In particular, Wallaire balsam flowers are brighter and larger if they bloom in the shade. At home, underdogs need a lot of light.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for balsams ranges from 15-16 °C to 25-28 °C.

Watering

When cultivated at home, in winter it should be watered moderately, in summer - abundantly, 2-3 times a week. In summer, plants on flowerbeds may need daily abundant watering, it is advisable to produce it in the morning.

Transplant

The best time to transplant home plants into a new container or plant from a pot on a flower bed is spring.

Reproduction

Propagate with seeds and cuttings, which are easily accepted. The cuttings are quite simple: they take cuttings 5-6 cm long and plant them for rooting in peat sand soil, maintained in a slightly wet state at a temperature of 20-24 °C. It is possible to place cuttings simply in water, but in this case the subsequent growing phase will be more complicated due to the fact that the formation of the root system took place in an aqueous medium. Seed reproduction is an unsuccessful solution, since part of the loss of properties characterizing the varieties occurs. It is seeded under film into protected medium at temperature 20-22 °C (germination of seeds) and 16-18 °C (subsequent growth stages).

Diseases

Balsams are damaged by fungi of the genera Pythium and Rhizoctonia, as a result of which yellowing and wilting are observed (treated with fungicides). It should be watered very carefully to avoid plant decay and stagnation of water. Aphids, mites and trypses, settling on leaves, stems and flowers, provoke the appearance of black on them - a fungal disease that manifests itself by forming black or dark brown film on affected ground organs. Control measures - the destruction of aphids and other pests, the secretions of which feed on fungi - causative agents of black.

Acquisition

In spring, balsams are easy to purchase both in flower stores and in horticultural centers. Well-formed compact plants should be chosen, on which there are no signs of damage by pests and diseases.