Impatiens, commonly 'balsam', is the colorful flower plant that can be found everywhere and can be seen adorning the borders of gardens and blooming from pots on the front courtyards of houses all summer long. These beautiful and hardy flowers come in a variety of colors and can be planted in patterns for high impact effects. Read on to learn how to grow and care for balsam plants to produce hardy, glowing buds.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part One: Preparing to Plant Balsam
Step 1. Buy balsam from a local garden store
In spring, most flower shops and nurseries have balsam bases or seeds in various colors, making it easy to choose which ones you prefer. Buy balsam of one color or set of colors so that you can create a colorful group in your garden.
- There are common varieties of balsam that each bloom in different colors and with different sized petals. The Tom Thumb variety has large bright colored flowers, the Super Elfin has pastel colored flowers, the Swirls have orange and red colors with spirals on the petals.
- It is easy to plant balsam seedlings, but you can also decide to start from the seeds if you want. You will need to plant the seeds in potting soil in January to get them ready for spring flowering. Lightly press the seeds into the mix and keep the seed trays moist and around 70 ° F (21 ° C).
Step 2. Keep seedlings moist before planting
Balsam fades quickly if it doesn't have enough water. Whether you choose to buy seedlings or grow balsam from seeds, you'll need to make sure it stays moist until you're ready to pot or plant it in the ground.
Step 3. Find a good place to plant balsam
Balsam grows well both in pots, in planters, and in the garden. They love shady spots, so choose an area that stays partially shaded during the day. Make sure the soil is moist but permeable, as balsam can mold if left in standing water.
To determine if an area is absorbing water properly, look at the place after a heavy rain. If you see water residue and puddles, you will need to add sphagnum or other mixes to the potting soil to help it absorb water better. If on the other hand the water is absorbed without problems, it should be a good place to plant the balsam
Step 4. Choose to plant your balsam when the soil warms up
Balsam should not be planted in the ground or in pots until after the last frost, when the soil has become warmer and there is no risk of the flowers freezing. Planting it too early will cause it to wilt, and it may die before the warm season arrives.
Step 5. Prepare the ground for the plant
Balsam loves rich and moist soils. You can prepare the soil by just digging it up, up to a dozen inches, and then add some compost or a light application of fertilizer to it. If you are planting balsam in pots, buy some nutrient-rich potting soil.
Method 2 of 2: Part Two: Planting and Caring for Balsam
Step 1. Dig some holes and plant the balsam
Dig holes as deep as the roots of the balsam, and place them in the pot or soil. The holes can be spaced 3 to 12 inches apart, depending on how you prefer them. Lightly crush some compost near the base of the stem. Water the balsam thoroughly after planting.
- Balsam can be planted tightly to make a nice border for a flower bed. You can place some in a container with 2 or 3 inch spacing.
- Instead of a container, you can choose to put your conditioner on canopies. The balsam will grow quickly and will cover any loose potting soil that distances the plants.
Step 2. Keep the plants moist at all times
Balsam plants will wilt quickly if their soil is allowed to dry out. Water them around the roots in the morning once every few days. Avoid watering them in the evening by leaving them wet for the night, as they tend to get moldy if they get too wet.
Planters dry out faster than the soil, so you may need to water potted plants more often
Step 3. Fertilize the balsam
You can use either a slow release fertilizer, following the instructions on any packaging, or apply a liquid fertilizer from time to time, a few weeks apart.
