A houseplant that can bloom all year round is a special joy for the grower. It is this ability that New Guinean balsam possesses. The variety appeared relatively recently, but has already won worldwide fame and love. The most decorative varieties, especially the care and propagation of the New Guinean balsam - all this will be interesting to those who decided to purchase and grow this wonderful flower.
New Guinea Balsam
The extensive Balsamic family replenished with a new variety in 1972. For breeding, another type of balsam was used - Hawker balsam. It was this variety that became the basis for breeders in the development of the New Guinean hybrid. In some sources, it can be found under the name New Zealand balsam.
New Guinea Balsam - an interesting novelty
It is very difficult to give a general description to the New Guinean, because the varieties are very different from each other in the coloring of not only flowers, but also leaves. Common features include:
- density and meatiness of leaves and shoots;
- rounded shape of inflorescences;
- velvet surface of the petals;
- lanceolate shape and serrated edge of leaves.
The color of the leaf plate can be dark green or have a bronze hue, and there are also variegated varieties. Almost all colors are present in the color of flowers - from red and burgundy to fuchsia and peach.
Popular varieties
There are many varieties of balsamic New Guinea, but some are particularly decorative. Since the selection work is very active, not even specific varieties are distinguished, but varietal groups. They have common features, but may vary in color.
- Divaro
Representatives of the variety are distinguished by the compactness of the bush, the saturated green color of the leaf plate and the small size of the flowers.
- Macarena
Macarena
A distinctive feature of the variety is an orange or salmon shade of flowers. They look especially decorative against a background of green foliage with a touch of bronze.
- Rainforest exotic
Rainforest exotic
The color of flowers is always bright shades, the foliage is dark green. There are specimens with two-color petals.
- Devine mix
Devine mix
All representatives of the varietal group are distinguished by a compact form of the bush. Belongs to large-flowered varieties. Petals can have a different color.
- Jangle rain
Jangle rain
In the color of the flowers there are only gentle pastel colors. The sheet plate is glossy, dark green.
Harmony
Harmony
The main feature is the reddish hue of the leaf plate in some varieties. The flowers are round and small in size.
- Mini Gini
Mini Gini
The small size of the flowers of the variety fully compensates for their number. A compact bush during flowering is covered by them almost completely.
- Spreading white
Spreading white
The original variegated variety. Flowers have a snow-white color and the average size of the petals.
Home and outdoor care
All members of the family are considered very moody plants. They are demanding on care and growing conditions. But do not immediately abandon the idea of planting balsam, because you just have to adhere to certain rules and a beautiful flowering plant will adorn the house or garden.
Caring for indoor balsam
The rules for the care and maintenance of balsamic New Guinea are no different from the standard technology for growing other representatives of this family. The main requirements are presented in the table below.
| Illumination | Diffuse intense lighting, long daylight hours. Artificial illumination is desirable. |
| Temperature mode | Refers to heat-loving plants. The optimum temperature of growing is +22 ... +25 ° С. Permissible short-term decrease by 2-3 degrees. |
| Watering and humidity | Frequent but moderate soil moisture. Drying of the soil by 1-2 cm is permissible. The humidity level is at least 50%. |
| Top dressing | They are used year-round with a frequency of once every 1-2 weeks. As a fertilizer, preparations for flowering indoor plants are used. |
| Pot size | The volume of the pot should exceed the size of the root system by 1.2 times. As the roots grow, it is necessary to change the size of the container (1-2 times a year). |
| Pruning and transplanting | It does not need trimming and shaping. The transplant is carried out in the same way as for other indoor flowers. The best time is mid-spring or early fall. |
| Winter care | Due to the lack of a pronounced period of rest, caring for Guinean balsam in winter is identical to year-round. |
| Soil composition | Prefers loose nutrient soil. You can use a ready-made purchased substrate and add vermiculite or expanded clay chips to it. |
As can be seen from the table, home-care for the New Guinean balsam is not particularly difficult. All care methods are well known to flower growers, and to create comfortable conditions you just need to choose the right place for the flower.
Attention! To increase the level of humidity, spraying can be carried out, but this must be done carefully. Water should not fall on the flowers.
Outdoor Care
Guinean balsam can be grown as a garden flower only as an annual crop. The requirements for illumination, watering schedules and fertilizing remain the same as when growing a flower in a room.
With proper care, flowering will be lush and year-round
The flowering of the New Guinea on the flower bed begins in May and ends in September.
Important! The landing site should be protected from the wind, and the soil is prepared loose and nutritious.
Experienced gardeners most often use the same plants to decorate flower beds and to decorate apartments. You can simply plant home-made balsam for the summer period in the open ground, and when the temperature drops, put it back in the pot and bring it into the house.
Flowering features
Continuous year-round flowering is exactly what attracts lovers of indoor flowers. It is this quality that distinguishes the New Guinean variety from other balsamines. In winter, the plant continues to grow and bloom, and does not fall into a dormant state.
The shape of the flowers in different varieties is almost identical - they consist of several rounded petals that converge at the base to the core. The color depends on the variety and can be either one-color or two-color.
In summer, you can make a pot or plant it in the ground
Propagation Features
New Guinean balsam can be propagated in 2 ways:
- Sowing seeds followed by picking. The method is quite painstaking and long, therefore it is used in extreme cases.
- Cuttings. The most optimal method. The tops of shoots with 2-3 buds are used as cuttings. The lower leaves are removed, planted in a moist substrate and put shelter. Further care - watering, airing the greenhouse and maintaining the temperature + 23 ... +25 ° С.
Get a new copy of balsam is not difficult.
Important! To speed up the survival rate, cuttings can be treated with a growth stimulator before planting.
Soon, cuttings will take root and bloom
Growing problems, diseases and pests
The condition of the plant can worsen both from improper care, and from the attack of pests. New Guineans are especially prone to rotting, so the watering schedule should be followed very carefully.
In a closed ground, the flower is subject to attack by ticks and thrips, and in the open - aphids. At the first sign of infection with parasites, insecticides should be sprayed.
Important! Indoor flower should be isolated from other plants.
New Guinea balsamine is one of the novelties of indoor floriculture, which is already loved by both amateurs and professionals. Care for the flower must be carefully, and it is also worth paying special attention to its placement. Subject to all the rules and recommendations, the New Guinean will be decorated with flowers all year round.
