Planting and growing New Guinea balsam, how to propagate and care

Growing New Guinea balsam at home does not require any special skills. The flower is a tropical plant cultivated as a pot crop, which appeared as a result of crossing the beautiful-flowering impatiens and Hawker's impatiens. It is compact in size and is a decoration for any room.

Description and characteristics

Impatiens are considered very popular among gardeners. This is primarily due to the ability to bloom almost all year round. The New Guinea species appeared relatively recently, but in a short period of time it has already managed to win the hearts of those who love beautiful indoor plants. Despite the fact that the plant has an exotic name, it feels excellent in our latitudes.

The flower can be grown not only in pots, but also in garden plots, and in areas with a moderately warm climate it is often planted in city flower beds.

Guinea balsam has the form of a bush with numerous smooth stems. The plant has a strong root system, thanks to which it grows well when provided with comfortable conditions. The leaves can have different colors, from burgundy to dark green, and reach a maximum length of 13 cm. Their shape is oval or lanceolate, with jagged edges.

Beautiful, delicate flowers appear from the axils of the leaves, which are often colored pinkish or red with a pleasant terry surface. Their size varies from 5 to 7 cm. There are varieties whose flowers are colored salmon, apricot or fuchsia. They can be plain or two-color with patterns. At the end of the flowering period, seed pods appear in place of the buds. Among the variety of varieties of Guinea balsam, the following stand out:

1. Tall - from 50 cm to 1 meter.
2. Low-growing - no more than 20 cm.

The stem of Guinea balsam, compared to other varieties, is very thick, and the plant itself is powerful and fleshy.

Main variety series

At the present time, a lot of varieties and hybrids of balsam Guinean.The main difference between flowers is the height of the bush, color and shape. More often, these plants are distinguished not as individual varieties, but as whole series of varieties. The most common and recognized include the following variety series.

Macarena

A variety with luminescent orange corolla and bronze-green leaves. This flower is very beautiful and at the same time unpretentious. With proper care it will bloom throughout the year.

Jangle Rain

A distinctive feature of this variety is the pale color of the inflorescences, which are painted in pastel colors.

Hormony

The leaves of the flowers of this variety series have a bright red, bronze or green color. The flowers are almost round and dense. The bushes of the plant are densely branched and relatively compact.

Rainforest Exotic

These balsams cannot but attract attention. A distinctive feature is the dark color of the leaves combined with tropical monochromatic or two-color shades.

Java

The series is distinguished by green or bronze leaves. The flowers of the plant are bright orange-pink-red.

Mini genie

Small-flowered series with dark bushes and densely strewn flowers.

Divaro

The leaves of representatives of this variety series have a bright green tint. The flowers are neat, medium in size.

Spreading White

A distinctive feature of the variety series is its variegated leaves with snow-white flowers.

Devine

This is a new hybrid that has already gained popularity. Its main difference is the bright large flowers. The plant, compared to all other balsams, develops quickly and has excellent immunity.

Growing conditions

Guinea balsam can be grown as a houseplant or garden plant. Regardless of this, you can grow a flower from seeds that are sown in small boxes.Before planting, it is necessary to carefully prepare the soil; it must be fertile and easily permeable to air.

It is recommended to sow seeds in February, then in the spring young plants will be obtained. Seedlings are planted in separate pots when several true leaves are formed.

Lighting

Almost all impatiens are light-loving plants. The most optimal placement is considered to be places with soft diffused light. In winter, when daylight hours are shortened, it is necessary to provide the plant with artificial lighting. Otherwise, the flower will lose its decorative effect.

Temperature

When growing a flower indoors, you can easily provide it with the most comfortable growing conditions. The optimal temperature range is considered to be from 18 to 24 degrees. Temperature changes negatively affect the plant, and its death can be caused by a decrease in indicators to -10 degrees and drafts. That is why it is not recommended to place the flower on windows that are often opened for ventilation.

Ventilation

It is recommended to grow Guinea balsam in pots with mandatory drainage holes, which will provide the plant with good ventilation.

Humidity

In order for the plant to feel good, it needs to be provided with optimal air humidity, which should not exceed 60-70% and fall below 40%. In winter, it is recommended to spray the flower twice a day.

You need to water the flower moderately, and you should not forget that it readily absorbs moisture. You need to avoid excess moisture and water getting on the lower leaves to prevent them from rotting.

How to preserve in winter

If suitable conditions are created for the plant, it tolerates winter well.During this period, the flower should be provided with moderate watering, systematic spraying, additional lighting and a warm room temperature.

Transfer

It is recommended to replant balsam once every 2-3 years. The most optimal time for this is spring. In this case, the following conditions must be met:

1. For replanting, you need to choose a pot that is small in depth and diameter. This will help ensure lush flowering.
2. Expanded clay drainage should be placed at the bottom of the pot.
3. After transplanting the flower, all voids must be filled with nutritious soil so that the root collar rises several centimeters above the ground.

These simple conditions will ensure the flower’s rapid adaptation to new conditions and its rapid growth.

Diseases and pests

Since balsam lives in damp conditions, it is susceptible to rot and fungal infections. To protect the plant from diseases, it is recommended to apply fungicides at the first signs of damage. If the disease has already spread, then the only way to save the flower is by cutting off healthy stems and rooting them to create a new plant. The affected stems in this situation are disposed of.

Balsam is distinguished by its juiciness, which is so loved by whiteflies, sciarids, aphids and thrips. Their attack can be prevented by regularly moistening the ground parts with insecticides.

Reproduction methods

Guinea balsam reproduces in several ways. Both of them do not cause difficulties even for novice gardeners and are widely used in gardening.

Propagation by seeds

To propagate a flower in this way, you must:

1. Prepare the soil mixture in advance.
2. Carefully place the seeds on the surface of the soil and sprinkle them a little on top.
3. Moisten with a spray bottle or using a watering can equipped with a sprayer.
4. Cover the container with glass or film to create a greenhouse effect.
5. Regularly moisten and aerate the soil.

As soon as full leaves appear, the plant is planted in separate pots.

Vegetatively

Impatiens can be propagated by cuttings. To do this, follow these steps:

• select young shoots and cut off several internodes from them;
• prepare the soil mixture;
• treat the cuttings with a stimulation solution;
• bury the cuttings 2 centimeters into the soil;
• Using a cut plastic bottle, create a greenhouse over the seedlings.

Planted seedlings need to be constantly looked after. Monitor normal soil moisture and ventilate them daily. Reproduction using this method is best done in spring or early summer.

When propagating by cuttings, you need to pay attention to the age and type of the mother stem..

Preventive actions

If maintained and cared for improperly, a flower can not only be susceptible to diseases, but also acquire an unattractive appearance. To prevent this, flower growers recommend taking preventive measures.

The most effective method of prevention is careful care of the plant. You need to monitor soil moisture, lighting, and also systematically carry out fertilizing, the absence of which leads to poor flowering.

Main problems

As practice shows, diseases more often affect balsam as a result of improper care. Mainly the following problems appear:

• leaves droop - this occurs as a result of insufficient moisture and the plant being at elevated temperatures;
• leaves fall, turn yellow and dry - the plant is at a low temperature or receives a lot of moisture;
• flowers and buds fall off - dry and hot air prevails in the room or there is not enough light for the plant;
• the leaves curl - the flower is damp and cold;
• weak flowering - fertilizing is not carried out or carried out incorrectly;
• Light spots appear on the leaves - the flower has been sunburned, or has been sprayed with hard water.

To make the plant look healthy and attractive, you need to carefully and promptly care for it. Only in this case will balsam delight others with its attractive appearance.

Reviews

Natalya, 37 years old, Novorossiysk: “I purchased the flowering Guinea balsam at the garden center. When purchased, the plant already had many buds. The seller recommended it as a flower that will bloom throughout the year. I have had it for three years now and it blooms beautifully and almost constantly. I try to take proper care of it so that the leaves don’t wilt, and he responds with gratitude. This flower became my pride, all my friends bought this variety for themselves.”

Anna, 56 years old, Moscow: “I am an amateur flower grower and cannot pass by display cases with flowers, even when I do not intend to purchase them. That time, I also stopped just to look at the flowers, and suddenly my attention was attracted by a beautiful blooming indoor balsam. Turning to the seller, I found out that this was Guinea balsam; she showed them three varieties, which differed in shades. I bought them all and never regretted it. Surprisingly, this plant turned out to be completely unpretentious in the growing process.The only thing it needs is systematic watering. The flower is very colorful, bright and beautiful, blooms throughout almost the whole year. I recommend flower growers to add this plant to their collection.”