Balsam is a houseplant that has been familiar to everyone since childhood. After all, this flower was in almost every house, and on every windowsill it was possible to see its flowers. The people call it "Touchy", or "Roly wet." Have you been given room balm? Caring for him is not as difficult as you think.
The homeland of balsam is tropical countries. The flower belongs to the balsamic family. Today, there are about 450 different species of this plant.
In Russia, the variety "Valera", garden balsamine is very popular. Care for it can be done not only at home but also in the garden.
Variety "Valera" is a lush bush up to 23 centimeters high with strong shoots, and with a hat of flowers of various colors. The leaves of the flower have a lanceolate or elliptical shape, with teeth located at the edges. The color of the leaves is saturated green, bronze brown or variegated. Balsam flowers also have a different forum: cameliform, pink, or clove-shaped.
If we talk about such a plant as indoor balsam, caring for it is very simple, so it is ideal for beginner growers. Balzamin is well tolerated by dust, sudden changes in temperature and drafts. The best solution would be to put a balsamic flower pot on the windowsill, whose windows face the south side. But on other window sills, the flower will grow well. Balsam is an amazing plant. Its beauty and unpretentiousness will please you even in the winter season. In the summer, the flower will look beautiful on your balcony or garden. Balmamin in flowerpots or hanging pots is no less beautiful.
How to care for balsam .
No wonder the balsam flower is also called "Roly wet." The flower loves water very much, and when the roots and leaves of the plant receive a sufficient amount of liquid, then the plant releases excess moisture, which looks like sweet or sugar droplets on the edges of the leaves. Therefore, provide balsam with abundant watering, especially in the summer. In winter, you can water less often. You can not allow the flower to be without watering for a long time. This can lead to his leaves drooping and hanging. Spray balm from spraying, otherwise it will lead to fungal diseases and the appearance of spots on the leaves.
If indoor balmamine is growing on your windowsill, caring for this plant implies ensuring the optimal temperature regime. This sunny flower loves daylight. The optimum air temperature will be +18 degrees, in the summer period +22 degrees, in winter at least + 14 degrees.
The soil for balsam is suitable leafy or sod, that is, fertile. Once a week, you need to feed him. You can buy any complex fertilizer for indoor flowers. Do not transplant the flower too often. The pot for the plant must be narrow so that the flower does not lose shape. Grow a new balsam every spring. Also, if you want to get more compact bushes and abundant flowering, then pinch the plant.
Get a soft brush to clean the balsam from dust. In the summer, water the plant with a light shower, and then shake off the remaining water from the flower.
How a flower propagates
Balsam is ideally propagated by cuttings. To do this, place the stalk or shoot from the main stems for several days in a container of water (until the roots appear). Then plant the stalk in a small pot and cover with a plastic bag for 4 days. This procedure is necessary to create a high level of humidity. Also, the flower can be propagated by seeds. But remember that seeds need sunlight. Therefore, it is best to sow seeds in the spring. The surface of the soil should be covered with wet sand. To maintain moisture levels, also cover the flower with glass or plastic wrap. After that, you can transplant balsam in a pot.
Pests and diseases
The main pests of the flower are aphids, ticks and whiteflies. If balsam is sick, then spot leaves or mold may appear on its leaves. Spray the flower with a certain liquid, and with preparations that can be bought in the flower pavilion. There you can get brief information on the topic "Indoor balmamine: plant care."