To the genus of balsam are more than five hundred kinds of plants, and the most common is New Guinea balsam, which in the people has been nicknamed "touchy". So the plant is called because of the high sensitivity of the matured seed boxes to the touch. Breeding varieties balsam novogvineyskogo actively began in 1972. This is due to the fact that hybrids of the brand "New Guinea" have a sturdy stem, fleshy flowers and leaves, and the shrub is more compact, which is very convenient for growing in an apartment. Balsam - a plant extremely hardy, and thanks to the breeders who created the amazingly colored hybrids, it is also very beautiful.
Cultivation
For the cultivation of the New Guinea balsam, both the rooms and the balconies are suitable. You can also plant them on outdoor flower beds, but only as annuals, since the frost for balsam is disastrous. Excellent balsamins of different colors look in hanging pots and baskets.
When choosing a land for balsam, preference should be given to light and soft soils that absorb water well. Excess nitrogen fertilizer will cause the balsam to grow very quickly, but the formation of new flowers will slow down considerably. With regard to lighting, the plant is unassuming - even in the darkest corner, balsam does not die, but lack of light will adversely affect flowering. The more light the plant receives, the brighter and more beautiful will be its flowers. The temperature for the pot with the balsam should not be less than 10 degrees Celsius. If the heat it is quite able to normally survive, then the slightest draft for a plant can become pernicious.
Now about how to water the New Guinea balsam. The main rule is not to flood! In summer, every day, water the plant in small portions, and in winter cut the watering up to one or two times 10 days.
Every spring balsam should be transplanted into a new pot, but its diameter by 2-4 centimeters should be greater than the previous one. Plants that grow on the balcony can be transplanted at the end of summer. Between balms, the distance should not be less than 20 centimeters, and the root collars should be slightly raised above the ground.
Reproduction
In nature, the reproduction of New Guinea balsam takes place with the help of seeds. But it will not be easy to grow a flower in this way at home. Of the 10 seeds of the New Guinea balsam, only 2-5 give rise, young plants grow very slowly, and often die for no apparent reason. The best way is to propagate the balsam of New Guinea cuttings. To do this, cut the cut slightly below the knot, remove the bottom leaves, then they are already planted in the prepared soft soil. Pot with seedlings should be kept in a shady and protected from drafts place. Two weeks later the new plant has roots.
Diseases
Regular care for New Guinea balsam includes not only watering, transplanting, wiping leaves from dust, removing dried flowers, but also taking care of his health. So, improper transplantation and excessive frequent watering can cause rotting of the root neck and even roots. But the greatest harm is brought by thrips and mites . These pests cause the leaves to collapse into tubes. If the disease has only begun to manifest, immediately isolate the infected balsam. Rinse flowers and leaves with a mild soap solution. At the same time, be very careful: you remember that balm is "touchy"? Such an elementary method helps to get rid of ticks easily, but thrips is a more difficult task. If the plant can not be cured with special insecticides, then it slowly dies.