New Guinea balsam: how to propagate and care, planting and growing with a photo

No special skills are required to grow New Guinea balsam at home. The flower is a tropical plant cultivated as pot crops, which appeared as a result of crossing beautifully flowering balsams and Hawker's balsam. Differs in compact sizes and is decoration of any room.

Description and characteristics

Balsams are considered very popular with flower growers. This is primarily due to the ability to bloom almost all year round. The New Guinean species appeared relatively recently, but in a short period of time it has already managed to win the hearts of those who love beautiful indoor plants.Despite the fact that the plant has an exotic name, it feels great in our latitudes.

The flower is allowed to be grown not only in pots, but also in household plots, and in areas with a moderately warm climate, it is often planted in city flower beds.

Guinea balsam has the shape of a bush with numerous smooth stems. The plant has a strong root system, thanks to which, when providing comfortable conditions, it grows well. The leaves vary in color from burgundy to dark green and reach a maximum length of 13 cm. They are oval or lanceolate in shape, with serrated margins.

Beautiful, delicate flowers appear from the axils of the leaves, which are often painted in a pinkish or red hue with a pleasant terry surface. Their size varies from 5 to 7 cm. There are varieties whose flowers are painted in salmon, apricot or fuchsia.They can be plain or two-tone with patterns. At the end of the flowering period, seed pods appear in place of the buds. Among the variety of varieties of Guinean balsam stand out:

1. Tall - from 50 cm to 1 meter.
2. Short - no more than 20 cm.

The stalk of the Guinean balsam, compared to other varieties, is very thick, and the plant itself is distinguished by power and fleshiness.

Main variety series

At the present time, many varieties and hybrids of Guinean balsam have been bred. The main difference between flowers is the height of the bush, color and shape. More often, these plants are distinguished not by individual varieties, but by whole variety series. The most common and recognized are the following variety series.

Macarena

A cultivar with a luminous orange corolla and bronze-green leaves. This flower is very beautiful and at the same time unpretentious. With proper care, it will bloom throughout the year.

Jangle Rain

A distinctive feature of this variety is the pale color of the inflorescences, which are painted in pastel colors.

Hormony

The leaves of the flowers of this variety have a bright red, bronze or green color. The flowers are almost round and dense. The bushes of the plant are densely branched and relatively compact.

Rainforest Exotic

These balsams cannot but attract attention. A distinctive feature is the dark color of the leaves in combination with tropical solid or two-tone shades.

Java

The series features green or bronze leaves. The flowers of the plant are a bright orange-pink-red hue.

Mini Jeanie

Small-flowered series with dark bushes and densely strewn flowers.

Divaro

The leaves of representatives of this variety series have a bright green tint. The flowers are neat, medium in size.

Spreading White

A distinctive feature of the variety series are variegated leaves with snow-white flowers.

Devine

This is a new hybrid that has already gained popularity. Its main difference is bright large flowers. The plant, in comparison with all other balsams, develops rapidly and has excellent immunity.

Growing conditions

You can grow Guinea balsam as an indoor or garden plant. Regardless of this, you can grow a flower from seeds that are sown in small boxes. Before planting, it is necessary to carefully prepare the soil, it must be fertile and easily breathable.

Seeds are recommended to be sown in February, then young plants will be obtained in the spring. Seedlings are planted in separate pots when several true leaves are formed.

Lighting

Almost all balsams are photophilous plants. The most optimal placement are places with soft diffused light. In winter, when the daylight hours are reduced, artificial lighting must be provided to the plant. Otherwise, the flower will lose its decorative effect.

Temperature

When growing a flower in room conditions, you can easily provide it with the most comfortable growing conditions. The optimal temperature regime is considered to be from 18 to 24 degrees. Temperature changes negatively affect the plant, and a decrease in indicators to -10 degrees and drafts can lead to its death. That is why it is not recommended to place a flower on windows that are often opened for ventilation.

Ventilation

Growing Guinea balsam is recommended in pots with the obligatory presence of drainage holes that will provide the plant with good ventilation.

Humidity

In order for the plant to feel good, it is necessary to provide it with optimal air humidity, which should not exceed 60-70% and fall below 40%. In winter, it is recommended to spray the flower twice a day.

Water the flower should be moderate, but we should not forget that it readily absorbs moisture. Avoid excess moisture and water on the lower leaves to prevent rotting.

How to save in winter

If suitable conditions are created for the plant, then it perfectly tolerates winter time. During this period, moderate watering, systematic spraying, additional lighting and a warm room temperature should be provided to the flower.

Transfer

It is recommended to transplant balsam once every 2-3 years. Spring is considered the best time for this. The following conditions must be met:

1. For transplantation, you need to choose a pot that is small in depth and diameter. This will help ensure lush blooms.
2. Drainage from expanded clay should be placed at the bottom of the pot.
3. After transplanting a flower, all voids must be filled with nutrient soil so that the root collar rises several centimeters above the ground.

These simple conditions will ensure that the flower quickly adapts to new conditions and grows rapidly.

Diseases and pests

Because balsam lives in dampness, it is susceptible to rot and fungal infections. To protect the plant from diseases, it is recommended to apply fungicides at the first sign of damage. If the disease has already spread, then the flower can be saved only by cutting off he althy stems and rooting them to get a new plant.Affected stems in such a situation are disposed of.

Balsam is distinguished by its juiciness, which is so loved by whiteflies, sciarids, aphids and thrips. You can prevent their attack by regularly moistening the ground parts with insecticides.

Reproduction methods

Guinea balsam reproduces in several ways. Both of them do not cause difficulties even for beginner growers and are widely used in gardening.

Seed propagation

To propagate a flower in this way, you need:

1. Prepare the soil mixture in advance.
2. Gently place the seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly sprinkle them on top.
3. Moisten with a spray bottle or with a watering can equipped with a spray bottle.
4. Cover the container with glass or film to create a greenhouse effect.
5. Regularly moisten and ventilate the soil.

As soon as full leaves appear, the plant is planted in separate pots.

Vegetative

Balsam can be propagated by cuttings. To do this, follow these steps:

• select young shoots and cut off several internodes from them;
• prepare the soil mixture;
• treat cuttings with stimulation solution;
• deep cuttings 2 centimeters into the ground;
• use a cut plastic bottle to create a greenhouse over the seedlings.

Planted seedlings need constant care. Monitor the normal soil moisture and ventilate them daily. Reproduction by this method is best done in spring or early summer.

When propagating by cuttings, you need to pay attention to the age and type of the mother stem.

Prevention measures

With improper maintenance and care, the flower can not only be exposed to diseases, but also acquire an unattractive appearance. To prevent this, flower growers recommend taking preventive measures.

The most effective way to prevent is considered to be careful care of the plant. You need to monitor soil moisture, lighting, and also systematically carry out top dressing, the absence of which leads to scarcity of flowering.

Main issues

As practice shows, more often diseases affect balsam as a result of improper care. Basically, the following problems appear:

• leaves droop - this happens as a result of insufficient moisture and the plant being at elevated temperature;
• leaves fall, turn yellow and dry - the plant is at a low temperature or it receives a lot of moisture;
• flowers and buds fall - dry and hot air prevails in the room or there is not enough light for the plant;
• leaves curl - flower is damp and cold;
• weak flowering - not fertilizing or done incorrectly;
• light spots appear on the leaves - the flower has received sunburn, or hard water has been sprayed.

To make the plant look he althy and attractive, you need to carefully and timely care for it. Only in this case, the balsam will delight others with an attractive view.

Reviews

Natalia, 37 years old, Novorossiysk: “Blooming balsam Guinea acquired in the garden center. When buying, the plant already had a lot of buds.The seller advised him as a flower that will bloom throughout the year. I have had it for the third year now, it blooms beautifully and almost constantly. I try to properly care for him so that the leaves do not wilt, and he replies with gratitude. This flower became my pride, all my friends bought this variety for themselves.”

Anna, 56 years old, Moscow: “I am an amateur florist and I can't get past flower displays, even when I'm not going to buy them. That time, I also stopped just to look at the flowers, and suddenly my attention was attracted by a beautiful blooming room balsam. Turning to the seller, I found out that this is Guinean balsam, she showed them three varieties that differed in shades. I bought them all and have never regretted it. Surprisingly, this plant turned out to be completely unpretentious in the process of growing. The only thing he needs is systematic watering. The flower is very colorful, bright and beautiful, blooms throughout almost the entire year. I recommend flower growers to replenish the collection with this plant.

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