In my hometown, Indonesia, Balsam is often called as “Kembang Pacar Air”. This is one of my favorite plant at all times. Many people grow them on their yards. Since this plant so easy to grow, and…they don’t need any special treat. It’s easy to take Balsam flower. And yeah, they are tough plant guys.. and one special thing about it is they produces their own seeds.
I grew some flowers this year, but I failed for many times. Sunflower, Globe Amaranthus, Marigold, Sweet William, Saga plant, Capsicum, Chili, and many other… I failed to grow all of them. I don’t know why… I think it because of the weather changes. I must learn and learn… find a good timing and the best way to grow these plants.
Seriously… I am very happy, ‘cause my Balsam have been growing well… Not well (very healthy), but it’s enough to make me smile. They blooms and blooms…even if I just have one color (pink color), but the other day I grew some colors (now I am waiting them to bloom). Do you know something?? I grew many Balsam. So I gave it to my neighbor. I am happy and my neighbor happy too… Wonderful life…
Speaking of which, Balsam is one of tough plant guys… Do you believe it??… It’s hot season in Singapore guys… an early year until now, Singapore is very hot! 30 degrees (more..) in the afternoon and 30 degrees on night. Can you imagine that, how could my plants survived from this weather??.. One of strong plant from my garden is Balsam plant.
- First, when you will grow Balsam plant, don’t think too much about the soil. They can grow even if bad soil. But, when they grow up, put some fertilizer and they will be ok.
- Spread them. For me, one pot for two/ three Balsam plants. When they are growing up, big and bigger, place them in the bigger pot.
- They are strong plant, even if in the hot weather. Watering Balsam plant twice/ three times a day in hot season. They need to drink much more water in hot weather
- If the weather changes, rainy day..rainy day everyday, don’t worry, your Balsam will be ok. Don’t watering them in rainy season.
- Place stalk for Balsam plant, so they will be stronger even if it's hard rain, or windy…
Even if they are tough on bad weather, sometimes they can’t fight any insects, like rotten mealybugs. My Balsam attacked by mealybugs sometimes. When mealybugs appears, I can’t do more for my beauty plant. Just save some of their seeds, pull off the plant infected by mealybugs, and grow them again by seeds. Simple and easy. ‘Cause…until now, my big enemy in the garden is mealybugs!
So do you want to grow this plant, huh…Don’t worry and don’t think too much. Balsam plant, or Impatient Balsamina, is one of tough plant in the bad season (hot season and rainy season). They will be fine in any conditions. Happy gardening…
Note :
- Photographed by Acik Mdy / Acik Mardhiyanti
- Written by Acik Mdy / Acik Mardhiyanti
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