Impatiens is a very elegant and compact plant with a thick green cap. During the flowering period, it is covered with many bright flowers that adorn the plant from late spring to frost. Impatiens flower is familiar to many under the names "balsam", "wet Vanka" or "impatient." The homeland of impatiens is the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and the African continent.
Flower description
Impatiens is a herbaceous plant with fleshy, erect stems. The plant feeds a branched rhizome. Shoots actively branch and form a spherical bush up to 50 cm high. With high humidity, small granules similar to sugar grains form on the stems.
The leaves are attached to the stems on short petioles and have an oval or ovoid shape. The length of each leaf is 8-12 cm. The edges of the soft leaf plate are covered with small teeth, and the surface has a relief pattern of veins. The leaves have a solid green color, but sometimes painted in bronze or purple hues.
Single axillary flowers begin to appear in May and succeed each other until December. The color of the petals can be red, pink, purple, violet, blue, lilac, yellow. There are varieties with simple 5-petal flowers in the form of an open bell. Today you can find velvety forms of plants whose flowers resemble a small rosette.
A small berry is tied in place of the flower. She is very sensitive to touch. From the slightest fluctuation, the berries open and numerous seeds spill out of them.
Types of impatiens
Impatiens is not a very numerous genus; only a few main species are grown in the culture. On their basis, breeders have bred a whole series of hybrid highly decorative varieties. Let us dwell on each of these types of impatiens.
Impatiens Waller. The plant forms a branched, densely leafy bush with brown-red vegetation. During flowering, the bush is completely covered with flowers. The height of the bush is 60 cm. Oval or diamond-shaped leaves on long stalks reach 6 cm in length. Based on this variety, impatiens mix hybrids with different color of petals are derived:
- symphony - compact bushes with early red-pink flowers;
- futura - has drooping stems and many bright colors;
- King Kong - a spherical bush with large (up to 6 cm) flowers of bright colors;
- novett - a compact bush up to 15 cm high with long flowering;
- colorpower dark red - densely covered with blood-red buds;
- lavender flame - a plant with dark green lanceolate leaves and red-pink large flowers.
Impatiens Hawker - the founder of the species "impatiens new guinea". The plant is distinguished by lanceolate leaves and large buds. The species grows well under the bright sun.
Impatiens niamese differs in an unusual form of flowers. The fused glossy flowers resemble a large, flat bean and are painted in yellow or red, and sometimes immediately in both colors. The variety "impatiens velveteen" with flowers in the form of cream shoes is very popular.
Impatiens Peters. Tall plant with slight pubescence on the stems and leaves. Foliage is located on long stalks. Small sized flowers are painted in scarlet color.
Iron bearing impatiens has several glands at the base of the leaves. A one-year variety, can be used for growing impatiens in the garden. Lanceolate leaves gather in whorls on the tops of the stems. Cherry, white or pink flowers with petals bent outward are located in the leaf axils of several pieces.
Impatiens balsamic. A garden variety that does not tolerate frost, therefore it is grown as an annual plant. The height of the lush bush is 70 cm. Large, bright flowers are formed in the axils of the upper leaves.
Impatiens tamarind - indoor low plant with large leaves and large flowers. The following varieties are distinguished:
- impatiens white - with white petals;
- impatiens purple blue - with bright pink colors.
Special attention of flower growers is enjoyed by varieties with large terry buds, among them there are:
- Rosette
- Fiesta;
- Double Duet
- Stardust Lavender.
Breeding
Propagation of impatiens is possible by sowing seeds or rooting cuttings. In the fruits of the plant, many small seeds ripen, which retain germination for more than 6 years. Sowing should be planned for early January, then in May the seedlings will bloom.
Seeds are dipped in a weak solution of manganese for 10-15 minutes, and then soaked for another day in ordinary water. For planting, use a sand-peat mixture. Seeds slightly deepen and sprinkle with earth. The pot is covered with foil and transferred to a warm, bright room. Every day, the soil is aired and moistened if necessary. Germination takes up to 2 weeks.
After the appearance of two real leaves in seedlings, they are dived and planted in separate pots. If the plant is intended for indoor cultivation, it can be planted in a permanent pot. Seedlings for the street are placed in peat pots, which can be planted in open ground. After the appearance of 6-8 leaves, pinch the top for better branching of the stems.
For vegetative propagation, apical cuttings about 6 cm long are cut. The lower pair of leaves is completely removed, and the upper leaves are cut in half to reduce evaporation. Cut branches can be left in the water until the roots appear, or immediately planted in a sand-peat mixture. The cuttings take root very quickly and are able to produce flowers in 2-3 months.
Plant care
Care for impatiens at home is not difficult, this unpretentious plant adapts perfectly to living conditions and pleases with abundant and long flowering. For planting, use any fertile soil. Pots are needed deep and not too wide. At the bottom of the tank lay a layer of expanded clay or brick chips.
Impatiens normally perceives a small penumbra, but in the sun its leaves acquire a brighter color, and more flowers form on top. In the shade, the stems can be exposed and stretched very much. In open ground, you can choose sunny areas or slight shading. In the fresh air, the sun rarely burns vegetation.
Impatiens loves warmth and does not treat drafts very well. The optimum temperature is + 20 ... + 25 ° C, when lowered to + 13 ... + 15 ° C, the plant may die.
Impatiens needs regular and plentiful watering, the soil should constantly remain slightly moist, but stagnation of water will lead to decay of the roots. In winter, watering is reduced, allowing the top layer to completely dry out. Impatiens needs high air humidity, so it is recommended to spray the bushes from the spray gun, but moisture should not get on the flowers.
During the period of active growth and flowering, impatiens needs to be fed. Twice a month, mineral fertilizers are added to water for irrigation for balcony and garden flowering plants.
In order for impatiens to form a beautiful bush, you need to regularly pinch the tops of young shoots. As the bush grows, it needs a transplant. The pot is selected one size larger, immediately taking a too large vessel is not recommended. After 5-6 years, even with careful care, impatiens loses its decorative appearance and needs rejuvenation.
Impatiens is resistant to diseases and parasites. Sometimes its lush vegetation attracts a spider mite. To combat the pest, you can thoroughly wash the overgrowth with a strong soapy solution or spray it with an insecticide.
