The subtleties of planting and caring for balsam

Balsamine is an ornamental plant belonging to the Balsamic family. This beautiful flower can be grown indoors and outdoors.

One of the important points of caring for him remains a transplant. This procedure is mandatory, as it affects the duration and beauty of the flowering plant.

Let's find out when a transplant is required, how to properly perform it and what should be the subsequent care. And also consider the features of the propagation of the flower.

Features of indoor plants

This plant has low shoots, prone to branching. Green leaves, there is a reddish or bronze overflow. If the room has high humidity, then drops of water form on the ends of the leaves. Because of this feature, balsam is also called Roly-wet.

Due to their beautiful and low bushes, they grow a flower like an ampelous plant. The balsam flowers are axillary. Their color is different, depending on the variety. They can be variegated, dotted with stripes or dots. Breeders managed to bring terry varieties. You will find a more detailed description of indoor balsam, as well as about the features of caring for it here, and about how to care at home in order to preserve the beauty of its flowering, read here.

In what cases does a flower need a transplant?

The following indications for a flower transplant are:

1. Scheduled transplant. Replacement of the soil is required, trimming of elongated and lost decorative appearance shoots. Old soil is depleted and dries quickly. After transplanting, the plant will begin to grow faster, the roots will receive additional space for growth, access of water and air will increase.
2. After the purchase. The newly acquired balsam must be transplanted into a new pot and fresh substrate. Only do this provided that the plant does not bloom.
3. Not enough storage. If roots are visible from the drainage hole, then this is a signal to replace the pot. For further development, the flower needs more space. The new pot should be 1-2 cm larger than the previous one.

When is the best time to do this?

A planned transplant of balsam is carried out every spring before flowering. But some flower growers change the Nedotrog land 2 times a year - before and after flowering.

Important! During the formation of buds and the opening of inflorescences, transplantation is not recommended. Otherwise, flowering will stop immediately.

Land and pot preparation

When choosing a container for balsam, keep in mind that its roots are underdeveloped and short, the roots are not deep. When buying large and roomy containers, most of the soil will be empty, and the roots will be located at the top. This will cause acidification of the substrate and rotting of the root system.

Another option is possible: the flower will begin to actively develop and grow stems with roots, build up green mass. All efforts will be spent on this, but they will no longer be left on the formation of inflorescences. A shallow pot remains which is 14-16 cm in diameter..

Balsam is not particularly demanding on the soil. The main thing is that the soil is nutritious, loose and breathable. A ready-made substrate sold at the store is suitable for flowering plants.

You can prepare the soil with your own handsif you combine in equal proportions the following components:

• peat;
• sand;
• turf land;
• sheet soil;
• humus.

Algorithm of actions at home

Balsam transplant is as follows:

1. Before the upcoming events (per day), carefully water the soil.
2. Carefully remove the plant from the old container.
3. Shake off all the roots from the ground and evaluate their condition. Remove all dry, rotten, old and highly intertwined roots using a sharp knife.
4. Sanitize slice areas, sprinkle with wood ash or crushed activated carbon.
5. At the bottom of a new pot, lay the substrate and carefully place the plant in it, straightening the root system.
6. Pay attention to the location of the root neck. It should not be covered by soil. Leave it above the ground, but a few centimeters below the edge of the container.
7. Pour the soil to the required level and lightly tamp.
8. Carefully water the newly transplanted flower and put it in the shade for rooting and acclimatization for 3-5 days.

Tip. If you choose a wider pot, then you can put several balsamins in it at once. In this case, you can get an original and elegant composition, if you use plants with inflorescences of different colors.

Watch a video on how to transplant several balsamins into one pot.

Conditions and time

How to plant?

Immediately after buying balsam, it must be transplanted. There is a certain algorithm of actions:

• Use a pot slightly larger than the previous one.
• Prepare a fresh mix of earth or apply purchased. If the first option is chosen, then combine such components: soddy soil, humus, coarse river sand (8: 2: 1).
• Transfer the plant to a new container, previously moistened the soil.
• Add earth to the edges of the pot, but do not tamp.
• Gently pour and install on the windowsill, where there is no direct sunlight.

If balsam was purchased in the winter, then it is not necessary to transplant it until spring. At rest, the flower will not tolerate such a procedure. When buying a flowering balsam, you need to wait until the buds disappear.

Before planting, you need to carefully assess the condition of the root system. Healthy roots should be covered with an earthen lump completely. Shaking off the soil and washing the roots is advisable only in case of detection of rot, disease or insects.

How to root?

Rooting of balsam occurs in two ways:

1. In the substrate. For this, a landless mixture consisting of sand, perlite, vermiculite and peat is suitable. Even weak and young tops can be rooted in such a substrate. Plant cuttings in small cavities and sprinkle with a landless mixture.

   Pour lightly with concentrated potassium permanganate solution and cover with polyethylene. Due to the effect of the greenhouse, moisture and heat are constantly kept inside.

2. In water. Prepare soft warm water, pour it into a suitable container, for example, in a plastic cup.

   Then it is necessary to remove the lower leaves from the stalk and set it in water to a depth of 4 cm.

   Roots will appear quickly, in a week. Transplantation into the soil is possible provided that the length of the roots is already 2-3 cm.

All the details on how to propagate balsam by cuttings, you will find in this article.

Movement of a plant in the open ground

Before transplanting the plant into the open ground, you need to choose a suitable place for itFocusing on the following recommendations:

• Garden balsam is not picky in terms of choosing "neighbors". Begonias, fuchsias, and verbena can be planted near it.
• You can get active growth and long flowering if you plant a crop on the western or eastern side.
• For balsam, moisture congestion, constant dampness, frequent cold and drafts are not permissible.
• The soil must be loose, nutritious and with good expanded clay drainage.
• The growth and development of the plant is adversely affected by heat and acidic soil. In such conditions, it ceases to bloom, and the leaves fall.
• Before planting, the soil must be fertilized with humus.

When all the preparatory activities are over, then you can proceed with a direct landing:

1. Thoroughly moisten the soil in which the seedlings are located. Do this 2-3 hours before planting.
2. Run the holes in the ground. Arrange them at a distance of 25-30 cm.
3. Fill fertilizer and water into each well.
4. Carefully remove the seedlings and transplant into the prepared recess.
5. Tamp the ground near each plant, mulch using sawdust. Mulch is an excellent way to protect the soil from overheating and the ability to retain moisture in it.

Photo

Below you can see a photo of the indoor flower.

How to care in the coming weeks?

Watering

Between watering, you must observe a time period of 2 days. The top layer should not dry completely. Otherwise, the flower will begin to wither and wither.

But the stagnation of water in the pan will badly affect the plant. So 3-4 hours after watering it needs to be poured. Otherwise, it is fraught with the attack of insects and the development of fungal diseases. Use soft, settled water for irrigation.

Humidity

During flowering, spray balsam if the temperature is above 21-22 degrees. Liquid in contact with inflorescences is unacceptable, otherwise it will lead to the development of ugly spots on delicate petals.

Open a container with water near the plant during flowering. This will help maintain optimal air humidity.

Top dressing

Add fertilizer to water for irrigation and apply every 2 weeks throughout the flowering period.. At this time, the plant will use up a lot of energy, so it needs to provide additional nutrition.

Important! Liquid mineral supplements intended for flowering plants will help to fill the shortage of necessary substances. You can buy them at any garden store.

About how to feed balsam for abundant flowering and how to properly water it, read in this material.

Diseases and Pests

Garden balsamine is exposed to the following diseases and pests:

• Cucumber Mosaic. The leaves are damaged, their growth stops, they become wavy and are covered with yellow spots.

  Tear off the affected leaves. As prevention, an active fight against aphids, which is a virus carrier, is used.

• Ring mosaic. The leaves begin to stiffen, crack and become stained, which look like ring fingerprints.

  The plant gradually fades and dies. Affected leaves must be removed immediately.

• Bronze. The growth of leaves is inhibited, which leads to their deformation. As a result, they shrink and fall.

  Plants affected by the virus cannot be saved, they must be disposed of, otherwise the disease can go to other plants.

• Viral Mosaic. The leaves are covered with yellow spots and becomes wavy.

  For prevention, treat the plant with an agent against thrips and aphids (Decis Expert, Confidor), which spread the virus.

• Spider mite. This insect weaves its web on the inside of the leaves, and then it eats them.

  For prevention, treat with a soap solution (1 liter of water and 40 g of soap). Remove affected leaves.

Conclusion

Balsam transplant is a necessary procedure that promotes the active growth and development of the plant. Properly conducted measures prolong flowering, make it lush, and also prevent the development of diseases.

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