The very wide distribution of this plant on all continents was the reason for the appearance of dozens of different names. We have the most common names are Touchy or Balsam. The second name is official, the first is characterized by an interesting ability to open, at the slightest touch, seed boxes. Another popular name, Vanka wet, was given to balsam because sweet drops of juice form on its leaves before the onset of rain. They attract ants and they arrange sweet feasts on the leaves of a barometer plant. The inhabitants of Austria for the special beauty of the flowers called balsam a beautiful wreath, and the inhabitants of Germany - the troublesome Lizzy, for the duration of flowering. As a touchy culture, it has been grown since the middle of the 16th century.

Content

1. Balsam garden  video
2. Balsam - growing and planting seedlings 
3. How to prepare the soil for planting
4. Optimum temperature and lighting
5. Feeding untouchables we carry out correctly
6. Propagation of balsam  video video
7. Types of Balsam
8. The use of balsam in traditional medicine 
9. Pests and diseases

Balsam garden

They are grown in a low-priced condition both in the apartment and in the garden. Only if indoor species successfully develop and bloom almost throughout the year, then specimens grown in open ground are annuals, they have to be re-planted every spring.

In the wild, garden balsam can be found in China, India, Malaysia. He looks very attractive, the height of the bush can reach 70 cm, he can have a spherical or pyramidal shape. The stems are well branched, thickened, smooth, require careful handling, because very easy to break. The leaves have jagged edges, lanceolate, petiolate, they are arranged alternately and quite densely. The color of the leaves is from green to purple.

Flowering occurs in early June and lasts until the end of September or until frost. But if Vanka wet create certain temperature conditions, then it will bloom all year round. The flowers are large, bright, color - from white to purple. There are varieties with terry and simple, but no less beautiful flowers. Plant hybrids can have all kinds of colors, with the exception of blue and yellow.

After flowering, a small box with small spherical seeds is formed, their germination can persist for 5-8 years.

Growing balsamins in the soil, it should be remembered that they can not tolerate cold weather, planting should not be done before the threat of frost disappears.

Gardeners classify untouchables as unpretentious, not requiring special care, resistant to adverse microclimate caused by excessive dry air. Nevertheless, plants like well-lit areas, they don’t like drafts, they can not withstand prolonged drying of the soil, but they can’t tolerate frosts. You should not expose the blsamina to high temperatures, they also do not like waterlogged soil.

Balsamins, which are grown as houseplants, can be planted in the ground in summer, preferably in shaded areas. In the fall they will have to be returned back to the pots.

Balsam - growing and planting seedlings

We again clarify that planting seedlings of balsam should only be at a stable warm temperature, after the end of frost. The bush should be planted in the pit after filling compost and fertilizers into it. The depth of the pit should correspond to the depth of the pot in which the seedlings were grown. Seedlings in the pot are well watered, carefully removed, so as not to shake the soil from the roots. After planting, the pit is tamped and mulched.

To form a beautiful bush, you can pinch the tops of seedlings.

How to prepare the soil for planting

The soil for planting can be any, but to get an excellent result, you should take care of its friability and lightness. Nutrition of the soil should be moderate - an excessive amount of fertilizer will lead to a decrease in flowering and a rapid increase in the green mass of the plant. If possible, plant the plant in a slightly acidic soil, consisting of 1 part peat, 1 part sand and 2 parts of leafy soil.

Optimum temperature and lighting

Rather, the plant can be attributed to photophilous, but on especially hot days it will be necessary to create protection from sunlight. Balsam, planted in the shade, will grow in height, its flowering may not be so plentiful.

If garden balsam is transplanted into pots for the winter and contained as a room, then it may require additional illumination, otherwise it may stop flowering. If the optimum air temperature for growth in summer is from 20 to 23 degrees, then in winter it should not fall below +15, especially for plants with variegated leaves.

Balsamine is a hygrophilous plant, so it should be watered systematically. It is also possible to apply spraying of plants, but water should not be allowed to fall on the opened flowers. Watering is preferably carried out with soft water. To ensure a good supply of oxygen to the roots, periodically loosen the soil in the beds.

Feeding untouchables we carry out correctly

Caring for balsam involves the periodic introduction of complex fertilizers into the soil. They feed during the flowering period every two weeks. The nutrient solution should contain phosphorus and potassium; it is not recommended to include nitrogen in the composition. Sick plants should not be fed. You can apply dressing only after 3 weeks after transplanting the plant.

Propagation of balsam

Propagate the plant in different ways. The easiest way to grow seed balsam. To get early flowering, you should take care of the seedlings and sow the seeds in pots in January. They are pre-soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10 minutes, then in warm water. You can plant it in any ready-made substrate for flowering plants or made personally from sand and peat. The seeds are closed shallow, the pots are kept in a room with a temperature of not less than +18 C, the soil in them is systematically moistened. Shoots can appear in two to two and a half weeks. After the appearance of two true leaves, the plants dive. After the appearance of 7-8 leaves, pinch the top of the plant so that it grows.

Propagation by cuttings produced by cutting the shoot from 4 to 6 cm long. Lower sheets are removed from it - to accelerate rooting. You can plant the cuttings in a substrate or sand, then you should cover them with a transparent glass or a jar - this will provide the greenhouse with the seedling. Rooting occurs quickly, flowering from cuttings planted in spring will come that summer.

Types of Balsam

Now consider the most popular types of touchy. Considered the most popular waller's balsam, attracting attention with a variety of color flowers. It is used as a garden culture when creating flower beds, some lovers adapt it for vertical gardening. The main disadvantage of the plant is the fear of cold weather. Therefore, care should be taken in advance to plant cuttings for growing it indoors in winter.

Since the plant is fragile, the place for planting should be protected from the wind. Usually, Waller's balsam is planted along a blank fence, in partial shade under the trees.

Balsam Symphony  - the plant is ideal for creating borders, the height of its bushes reaches 20 cm, the color of the flowers can be varied. Use Symphony's balsam and to create rockeries and mixborders. Flowering continues until the first frost. You can save your favorite plant by planting its cuttings in the pots.

No less popular and   garden balsamIt is grown in open ground. The plant is tall, can reach 70 cm. Its leaves and branches are light green in color. It can be ordinary or terry balsam. The color of flowers is from white to red and burgundy, the plant has a long flowering period. In border compositions, garden balsam is planted second or third row.

Salt-like balsam  it is very different from its counterparts by the grace of the flower and the color of the leaves - in the middle of white-yellow, with a green border around the edge. The flowers are large, bright red or saturated pink.

Iron Balzamin  differs in a strong trunk up to 2 m high. Its original flowers on thin long peduncles are not quite similar to flowers of other representatives of this genus. Coloring of flowers - from white to pink and lilac. The view is actively used in landscape compositions. It features a long flowering period.

The use of balsam in traditional medicine

In the recipes of traditional medicine, a decoction of impassability is recommended for treatment:

• wounds
• warts
• hemorrhoids
• burns
• ulcers.

He, when taken orally, will help get rid of stones in the bladder and kidneys.

Alcohol tincture of the plant relieves headaches and gives vigor when overworked. Official medicine considers the plant toxic and warns of its careful use. However, in many countries, balsam is considered an edible plant; it tastes like asparagus. They eat leaves and stems in which vitamin C is present in high concentration.

In fear of Asia, balsamic root is used to make yellow-red paint.

Pests and diseases

Serious problems in the process of growing the touches can be caused by pests, such as:

• aphids
• whitefly
• spider mite.

Therefore, you should be careful about any changes occurring on the leaves and stems. To control pests, you can use spraying with infusions of herbs or chemicals.

The appearance of rot on leaves and stems is a signal that the number of irrigations and their intensity should be reduced.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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