How to grow and care for Balsam plants?

The Balsam flower (Impatiens Balsamina), also known as touch-me-not, rose balsam, garden balsam, or leaping betty, is attractive and straightforward to cultivate. It’s so simple that this self-sowing plant may become a weedy nuisance in some locations. 

They are resilient plants. The plant’s capacity to flourish in shaded locations and wet forest gardens is one of its benefits. Balsam flowers need little maintenance and bloom even on the hottest summer days.

Source: Pinterest

see also about: Moringa tree

Balsam plant: Key facts

Botanical name	Impatiens Balsamina
Type	Annual
Leaf Type	elliptic to lance-shaped leaves
Flower	Purple, pink, red, white, and bicoloured
Varieties available	6
Also known as	Garden balsam, rose balsam, touch-me-not
Height	6–30 in. tall, 6–12 in. wide
Season	Spring, summer, fall
Sun Exposure	Full, Partial
Ideal Temperature	15 – 25 degree
Soil Type	Loamy, moist, well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral
Basic requirements	once weekly in the summer, additional watering
Ideal Location for placement	Sunlight
Ideal season to grow	Summer
Maintenance	Moderate

know about: weed plant

Balsam plant: Features

An annual plant called garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina) blooms on tall stems covered with lance-shaped, light-green leaflets with serrated edges. Instead of the flat blooms found in New Guinea impatiens, garden balsam has bigger double flowers supported by erect stems that are very limited in number. 

The 1 to 3-inch wide blooms have a cup-like form. They start flowering in the springtime and continue until the first fall of frost. The blossoms might be speckled, bicoloured, or uniform in colour.

 

Why is the balsam plant known as the touch-me-not plant?

The balsam plant’s name touch-me-not comes from its nature of erupting open from any minor provocation. The five lobes of the plant abruptly entwine from the bottom up and start radiating the seeds in all directions.

 

Balsam plant: How to grow?

Garden balsam plants are relatively simple to grow and require little upkeep to keep them flowering all season. Despite their preference for plenty of moisture, plants often recover rapidly from withering caused by high summer temperatures and intense sunshine. To preserve soil moisture during planting, it is recommended to provide a protective coating of compost around the plants.

Garden balsam, when grown from seed, blooms in just 60 days and continues to produce flowers through the summer and into the fall or up until the onset of winter weather. So, to ensure blossoms bloom in late spring, sow seeds within six to eight weeks, even before the final frost. 

Garden balsam requires more direct sunshine than typical impatiens. Although they do not appreciate complete shade, they will bloom sufficiently in dappled shade.

 

How to grow a Balsam plant in a pot?

 

1. Soak the Balsam seeds in water for at least 12 hours before planting.

 

2. Put seeds in a small pot filled with seed starting mix.

 

3. Don’t place them too deep.

 

4. Mist them lightly and place them where they will receive indirect light.

 

5. The seeds will germinate in 10 days time.

 

6. After the seedlings have two to four sets of leaves, you can transfer them into a pot.

 

7. It will take 60 to 70 days for the seedlings to bear flowers.

How do you care for Chinese Balsam?

Make sure your plant gets elemental exposure in the specified measures to achieve robust growth.

Light

Either full sun or some shade are good conditions for these floral plants to develop. The ideal growth location offers shade from the hot afternoon heat, which can turn the leaf brown. Complete shadow is not fatal to balsam flowers, but there will probably be few blossoms.

Soil 

Balsam flowers grow best in naturally rich, well-draining soil Even though they could also thrive in sandy and clay soils, loamy soil is advised. Although they can tolerate alkaline soil, a pH range of mildly acidic to neutral is preferable. 

Source: Pinterest

 

Balsam plant: Maintenance

Water

Throughout the growing season, maintain a constant moisture level in the balsam plant’s soil. They will be able to flourish during heat waves if they are being watered sufficiently. 

They struggle with dryness and typically cease blooming if plants don’t receive enough water. However, be careful not to overwater to prevent plants from becoming waterlogged. 

Thermodynamics and humidity

Balsam blossoms die at the first sign of frost because they cannot withstand freezing weather (32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower). 

Although they can wilt in hot weather waves, they do best in warm climates. Furthermore, the plants enjoy some humidity because balsam needs some moisture. However, if their demands for soil moisture are satisfied, plants can endure drier air.

Fertiliser

During the growth season, fertilise with a balanced, slow-release flower fertiliser as directed on the package. When planting, adding some compost to the soil can also help promote healthy growth and flowering.

Pruning

These plants do not require trimming for their health, but pinching them back when they are just 4 inches tall can encourage a bushier growth pattern. Otherwise, these plants may become excessively leggy and sparse, especially in shaded environments.

The plant’s bothersome tendency to aggressively self-seed in the garden can be curbed by carefully pruning the individual blossoms as they fade.

 

What is the Balsam plant used for?

• Traditional treatments for illness and skin conditions involve various plant components. The flower is used for burns, while the leaf juice is used to heal warts and snakebites. 
• In Asia, this species has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for arthritis, fractures, and other conditions. It is used in a traditional Korean medication called bongseonhwa dae to treat constipation and gastritis. 
• The Chinese used the herb to heal persons who had been attacked by snakes or had eaten toxic fish. 
• A variety of illnesses are also treated with pastes made from the blossoms, dried stalks that had been ground into powder, and juice from the stalk.  
• To promote hair development, Vietnamese people wash their hair with leaf extract.
• Herbal treatments can be made using them. Herbalists use compressed balsam flowers as poultices frequently to treat a variety of skin inflammations, as well as burns and scorches, warts, damaged nails, and snakebites.

 

FAQs

Can you eat the balsam plant?

With caution, you can eat the seeds, young branches, leaves, and flowers. You may eat them either raw or cooked. The seeds' delightfully nutty texture gives salads a wonderful texture and crunch.

Is balsam a poisonous plant?

Low-severity toxic properties are present in this plant.

What are the benefits of balsam tea?

They are used as a paste to treat frostbite, wounds, and burns. They promote sleep and ease cold symptoms, including coughing, sore throats, and chest or sinus congestion, when consumed as a tea.