Balsamin ampel: growing from seeds, features and reviews

The popularity of balsam is increasing every day, accordingly, the number of fans is growing. They are used both in home floriculture, and in the greening of parks and gardens. For more than 400 years, the balm decorates our windows. Thanks to the diligence of breeders, this flower conquers the status of one of the pets.

General information

Balsamins are annual or perennial herbaceous plants, which have a saturated stalk and a fibrous root. There are about 300 species. Balsamins differ in shape: ampel, sticky, bush erect, and there are species that resemble bouquets. The size of the plant varies from 15 to 25 cm.

Features

Balsams distinguish jagged or oval leaves of the most diverse green shades. The fruit consists of a multi-seeded box. If you touch it with your hand, it instantly opens and the seeds fall out.

Balsamins have a wide palette of flowers. There are representatives with bright red, purple-pink flowers, monophonic or multicolored. For example, double and semi-double flowers reproduce the shape of a camellia, a carnation or a rose. In addition, one group can be found buds with different degrees of development: bloomed, unblown and withered. Hybrids of carmine, red and purple-pink hue are widespread.

The plant grows well on moist, fertile soils. Originally, balsam was popular in tropical Africa, India, China, and then it spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

Balsam ampel: description

This plant has an interesting nickname - Vanka is wet. He was so nicknamed because of the small drops of liquid on the edge of the leaves. In other words, it is called a "light". Flowers of bright color shine against the background of green leaves. Plants of this species are perennials, they are very branched and have a thick stem. Green or red-brown leaves of small oval shape. White, red or pink shades of flowers are at the ends of branches. If you follow the rules of care and planting, the ampel balsam at home can bloom throughout the whole year, and in the summertime they can decorate terraces and flower beds. Balsamin does not like the bright day sun, he prefers a small penumbra. With diffused light, the flowers become brighter. Supports or wings protect the tender plant from winds and showers.

Varieties

Balsamine amp terry has a lot of furry flowers. The elegant form of this variety is used for hanging baskets. This is a very branching plant, strewn with flowers with shoots of 30-35 cm. It blooms from June to the very frosts. Grow the plant in places with scattered sunlight or in partial shade.

Balsam ampelny Acrobat is fast growing. One flower is enough to create a luxurious hanging basket. He has a huge number of constantly updated colors. Perfectly tolerates rainy weather. Balsam is best grown in partial shade. Blossoms from June to November.

Balsamins in the natural environment

In nature there are many different species, for example, distinguish half-shrubs, herbaceous annual and perennial plants. Some species grow to a height of up to two meters. All of them without exception are united in one family - balsam. Reproduction of balsam in nature occurs naturally. In culture - from seeds. Ampel balsam can also be diluted with cuttings. The island of Zanzibar is considered the birthplace of this tropical plant. In the distant 1596, balsam was brought to Europe, where it quickly gained popularity. They also brought out the first cultural species. There are three of them: balsam garden, New Guinea and Waller.

Balsam New Guinea

This species originates from the Hacker balsam, for this reason they are in some cases referred to as "Hawker balsam". Blossoms mainly in the summer. Flowers are large, very different in color. Leaves and shoots of burgundy or purple. In flower shops, you can find more than 80 varieties. In the United States in 1972, the first hybrid was withdrawn. They are grown at home or in an annual plant in the garden. Plants of this species prefer heat, are well tolerated by the sun and are not afraid of low humidity in the room, are more enduring than other species.

Balsam garden

This is an annual plant with a tender stem. The height reaches 70 cm, it blooms all summer. Flowers are located along the stem. You can find a mahr, simple or color color of flowers. Due to the fact that the plant has a very fragile stem, it is recommended that you carefully choose the place for planting. Balsam should be sheltered from strong wind, rain and bright sun. Seeds of garden balsam are immediately planted in a permanent place, sometimes propagated by cuttings.

Reproduction from seeds

Balsamine ampelny fins to the conditions of detention, so it is better to grow flower growers who have accumulated sufficient experience.

Balsam breeding begins with the planting of seeds. The soil must contain peat, sand, vermiculite and compost. Before planting seeds, the pot and soil are treated with a fungicidal agent to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. In addition, it is recommended to dress seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate - about ten minutes, then they are washed with clean warm water.

Rules of planting:

• Seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil;
• Press them into the ground with a light push;
• They are covered with sand;
• Close the container with seeds with a polyethylene film;
• Container with seeds are transferred to a warm, well-lit place.

Seeds germinate at a temperature of +22 to +25 ° C. As soon as the first sprouts appeared, the temperature was lowered to +20 ° C, and the film was removed. Balsam can not be placed under direct sunlight, as this plant has very tender seeds that do not tolerate ultraviolet light. As soon as the first three leaves appear, the plant is dived. The plant is recommended to be transplanted into the garden in early spring (one hundred days after planting the seeds in a pot). Ampel balsam, whose reviews are mainly devoted to growing at home from the seeds, boil down to the following:

• Avoid drafts when landing;
• The first shoots appear in about three weeks;
• Planting seeds is better at a great distance from each other so that when picking you can easily divide the roots;
• An adult plant with dense branches and everything is dotted with beautiful flowers;
• The flowers look beautiful in a hanging flowerpot.

Grow balsamin from the seeds is not easy, but if you comply with all the requirements, you will eventually get a healthy and long flowering plant that can decorate any room.

Balsam ampel: care

Balsamine is grown, as a rule, in small pots. If the container is too large, the plant will not bloom. Every seven days the plant needs to be fed. In the feeding should be present copper, iron, boron, zinc, molybdenum and manganese. Pour balsam every day, but not too much. Waller's ampel balsam does not tolerate water stagnation. Unlike seeds, a stronger plant needs sunlight. If during the day there are at least six hours of sun, then the plant will be many and long bloom.

Once the balsam has faded, it should be cut off and transferred to a cool place with a temperature of no higher than +15 ° C, the watering frequency should be reduced. New shoots, as a rule, appear by the end of winter, at this time the balm should be transferred to a warm room and increased watering.

In winter, the flower should be put in a light cool room and moderately watered. If the temperature drops below + 15 ° C, black spots may appear on the shoots - bacteriosis. In this case, you should water the plant with a solution of phytosporin or antibacterial agents of the tetracycline series - 1 tablet or capsule per glass of water. The next way to save the plant is to discard the healthy shoots. Acidic soil also causes the development of this disease. Dark-colored varieties are more tenacious than light-colored flowers.

Content problems

Balsam ampel, the cultivation of which we are discussing today, can give some difficulties with improper care:

1. Lack of light in the room - the flowers turn pale.
2. Sharp cooling, dry or cold air, low humidity, dry soil - flowering stops, flowers and buds fall off.
3. A tight pot, a lack of nutrients in the soil - plant growth slows down.
4. Low air temperature, insufficient watering - drooping leaves.
5. Insufficient lighting, cold air, waterlogged soil - rooted roots and the base of the stems.

Diseases and pests

In winter, ampel balsam is prone to fungal diseases, especially gray rot. To eliminate this trouble, the roots of the plant are cleaned of the old soil and the balsam is transplanted into a new container with soil.

If there is little humidity in the room, then the plant attacks the spider mite. The initial sign is the swirling leaves, which eventually fall off. To combat the spider mites use special tools.

When whitefly flies, leaves turn yellow. As a rule, it settles on the inside of the lower leaves. For the treatment of plants use the following drugs: "Fufanon", "Decis" and others.

Beneficial features

Decoction of fresh balsam leaves is used as an adjunct to stones in the bladder, kidneys. The broth, added to the bath, will ease the pain in rheumatological diseases. For the treatment of wounds, ulcers and hemorrhoids are made from the leaves of the application. Tincture on the roots, flowers and seeds helps with overwork, removes the headache.

However, it must be remembered that balsam is toxic and its chemical composition is not well understood, for this reason, therapy should be carried out very carefully. In case of an overdose, the following symptoms appear:

• dizziness;
• Vomiting.

Interesting Facts

There is an opinion that the color of buds of balsam with its energy flows is able to influence a person:

• Orange - awakens sexuality;
• Red - increases physical activity;
• Purple - stimulates mental abilities;
• White - generates spirituality;
• Pink - causes emotionality.

Reviews

Florists say that the ampel balsam is a whimsical and very vulnerable plant. Nevertheless, they note that if you apply a little strength and patience, it will please beautiful flowers and a delicate aroma.