Balsam Tom Samb: description of species, cultivation and care at home

In order to decorate their garden, people plant a variety of plants. These can be flowers typical of any flower bed, located in an unusual way, or there may be rare plants. For example, Tom Samb balsam is considered a rather unusual flower. It has pompous and incredibly beautiful flowers that will brighten up any garden.

Botanical description

This is an annual herbaceous plant originating in China. The length of the stem can vary from twenty to seventy centimeters, although white balsam may exceed this figure.In the people, this flower has received the apt name "touchy balsam", because it reacts extremely negatively to touch, especially to the petals.

Origin

China, India and Central Asia are considered the birthplace of the plant. Moreover, from the moment of arrival from those places, the plant has perfectly adapted to new living conditions, namely, to temperate latitudes.

Appearance and features

Plants are perfectly adapted for growing in shady places. They have thick, heart-shaped leaves that are opposite each other. The height varies from variety to variety, but, on average, is in the range of 20-70 centimeters. Petals open very wide when flowering.

The plant is very sensitive to touch, so if touched carelessly, it may lose a few petals or leaves that do not adhere very tightly to the stem.

Balmsam does not grow very well at home, if not located on the loggia or in a separate pot, close to the window.

Varieties

Over the long history of breeding, balsam has been divided into about five hundred species that differ in color, size and even shape. For example, the dwarf Tom Samb is very different from the garden one. Below are some of the most popular varieties.

Scarlett

Scarlett variety has an average stem growth, reaching forty centimeters. Like all balsams - shade-tolerant. It has bright red, double petals. Suitable for growing both in the garden and on the loggias. Can also be grown in greenhouses.

Salmon

An even smaller variety, reaching a height of 25 centimeters. Due to this, it can be grown both in the flower bed and on the windowsill. The petals are pink, reminiscent of salmon meat in their color, which is the reason for its name - Salmon.

White

The smallest of those on this list is from ten to twenty centimeters high. The flowers are white. If planted in March, then the white Tom Samb will begin to bloom in four months, and will delight with its flowers until the end of September.

Fit Tips

Like any other flower, Tom Samba has its own characteristics associated with planting, so it will not be out of place to heed the advice of experienced gardeners.

Preparing the soil

If the land itself is poor, then it is worth fertilizing it with a small amount of peat and humus. Holes for plants should be dug at a distance of about thirty centimeters from each other. This will give the flowers enough space to bloom without fighting each other for space and nutrients.

You can start planting as soon as the frosts end.

Choose a place

For these touchy people, those places that are reliably protected from the wind are well suited. It is also worth considering that they grow well in sunny or slightly shaded places. Ideally, you should choose a place that will be in the shade from noon to three hours.

Growing and care

In order for Tom Samb to show itself in all its glory, you should not only carefully choose a place for planting, but also look after it throughout its growth and flowering. Tips for caring for these flowers will be extremely helpful.

Irrigation

The best option is abundant watering after sunset. Balsams love moist soil, but without stagnant water. With a lack of moisture, the plant can shed all the leaves and flower in order to survive. Naturally, when it rains, watering is not needed.

Lighting

In the case of these colors, light is a double-edged sword. Without a periodically falling shadow, the flower can dry out. To correct the situation, you can plant a shrub nearby. If the lighting is too weak, then Tom Samb is unlikely to bloom, but it will stretch up very much, trying to reach the light source.

Feeding

Feed once every two weeks with a small amount of nitrogen, as well as a moderate amount of potassium and phosphorus. With nitrogen, the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise the stem and leaves will acquire a juicy, green color, but flowering will not occur.

Pests and diseases

Like any other plant - Tom Samb has not escaped the fact that there are pests that crave to feast on them, as well as diseases that can harm the flower.

Grey Rot

This disease appears due to excessive watering and stagnation of water in the soil.As a result, the roots of the plant begin to rot. Salvation will be a transplant into a new soil, as well as the removal of damaged roots. The pit in place of the plant should be treated with a fungicide, since gray rot is mold.

Spider mite

This small insect feeds on the sap of the plant, and the easiest way to detect it is to notice yellow spots on the leaves that gradually spread and increase, as well as something similar to a web that entwines the leaves. If this happens, then in the early stages you can wash the leaves with soapy water - the spider mite does not tolerate this. If this does not help, then the affected parts of the flower should be removed.

The reasons for this infection - too dry air. Accordingly, as a preventive measure, you can simply spray flowers from a spray bottle.

Whitefly

Whitefly is another pest that is not averse to feasting on the juice of flowers.It is detected, again, by yellow spots on the leaves and the appearance of a sticky substance on the surface of the leaves. Yes, and the insects themselves with white wings are easily detected. To save the flower, it is treated with potash soap.

Thrips

These are small beetles that have chosen young leaves as their target. In this case, the leaves are deformed, and can curl. Affected parts should be removed without delay. The plant itself is then treated with an insecticide, and the top layer of soil is removed, because thrips could leave their eggs there.

Claw mites

Because of these pests, the leaves are deformed, almost stop growing and harden. The method of struggle is the removal of affected leaves and the use of insecticides. As a preventive measure, it is worth avoiding too high temperature and humidity if the plant is grown at home. Otherwise, the destruction of overgrown weeds, the removal of last year's foliage from the ground and the planting of those plant varieties that do not like multi-claw mites will help.

Reproduction

There are two main ways to reproduce Tom Samba. Each has its own characteristics.

Cutting

To do this, cut off the top eight centimeters of the flower and transplant them into soil or water. In about a week, the cutting will take root. Cutting is a very popular method due to its simplicity.

Seeds

Seeds are planted in the ground, at a depth of half a centimeter, observing a distance of four centimeters between the seeds. Watering, at first, is carried out only with the help of a spray gun. After the formation of the roots, the flowers can be planted in separate pots. These seedlings can later be planted in open ground, the main thing is to first take the pots outside for a day and pick them up at night so that the flowers get used to the new temperature. The procedure should be carried out for a couple of weeks.

Reviews

Anna, Rostov:

“At first it was difficult - I have not yet grown such delicate flowers, but I managed. They are indeed very sensitive to touch. In the fall, I picked up a seed pod and it immediately scattered the seeds around.”

Valentina, Kyiv:

“The flower is very demanding on the place, but it is worth it. Very beautiful flowers, look rich. And in combination with lush foliage, they look like small bouquets.”

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