The diversity and brightness of the balsams is truly impressive. Like cut flowers, they bring a summer freshness into the home that is second to none.
What you should know about balsams
- It flowers from June to October
- Available in a wide range of colours
- Ideal for colorful summer bouquets
- With the right care, they last surprisingly long
The fascinating world of balsams
Balsams, botanically known as Impatiens balsamina, are a real pop of color in the garden and in the pot. These annual plants originally come from Southeast Asia and have now earned a permanent place in our gardens.
The shape of balsamina flowers resembles those of small orchids and is available in an impressive range of colors, from white to delicate pink, deep red and brilliant purple. Some varieties even surprise with multicolored or spotted flowers. This variety makes balsams a real eye-catcher in every bouquet.
Because balsams are as amazing as cut flowers
Balsams are ideal as cut flowers and have several advantages:
- Long flowering period: From June to October the balsams delight us with their flowers.
- Rapid growth: They grow quickly and provide lush flowers for your vase in a short time.
- Easy to maintain: Compared to other cut flowers, balsams are relatively undemanding.
- It can be combined in many ways: Their wide range of colors allows for creative combinations with other flowers.
I still remember my first balsam bouquet. The bright colors immediately brought a good mood to my living room and stayed fresh for a surprisingly long time. Since then they have become an integral part of my garden.
Popular types of vase balsams
There are numerous varieties of balsams attractive to lovers of cut flowers. Here is a small selection:
- Impatiens balsamina «Camellia fioreta»: Large, double flowers of various colours.
- Impatiens balsamina ‘Tom Thumb’: Compact variety with colorful, simple flowers.
- Impatiens balsamina ‘Blackberry Ice’: Showy purple flowers with white stripes.
- Impatiens balsamina ‘Peppermint Stick’: White flowers with red stripes, very decorative.
These varieties are characterized by their suitability as cut flowers and give color and life to every bouquet. It’s best to try several varieties to find your personal favorites.
How to properly collect and prepare balsams
The optimal time for cutting
For longer vase life, cut balsams early in the morning or late in the evening. During these periods it is best to provide water to the plants. Choose flowers that have just opened or are about to open. Fully open flowers also last, but not as long.
How to cut correctly
Use clean, sharp scissors or a knife to cut the stems at an angle. The slanted cut increases the surface area over which the flower can absorb water. Cut the stems about 5 cm above the ground and immediately remove the lower leaves which would otherwise remain in the water.
Prepare the stems for the vase
After cutting, the balsams should be placed immediately in water. To improve water absorption, you can carefully cut the lowest 2-3 cm of the stems lengthwise with a sharp knife. This further increases the surface area and allows for better water absorption.
A little tip from my experience: first place the freshly cut balsams in a bucket of warm water in a cool, shaded place for a few hours. This way they will be able to absorb their contents before placing them in the vase and they will stay fresh for longer.
With these preparations you have created the ideal conditions to enjoy your balsams as cut flowers for a long time. In the next section you will learn how to optimally care for the flowers in the vase to preserve their beauty for as long as possible.
Care of balsams in the pot
Proper care is key to ensuring your balsams stay fresh as cut flowers for a long time. I would like to share with you some tried and tested tips:
Water quality and change
Balsams are real fans of fresh water. You should completely change the water every few days. A little trick: cut the stems slightly when changing the water – this improves water absorption. And it is better to use warm water, flowers especially like it.
Fresh food – purchased or homemade
Special freshness preservation products can work wonders. If you prefer it naturally, you can also make a simple solution yourself: a teaspoon of sugar and a splash of vinegar per liter of water will also work. Sugar nourishes the flowers while vinegar keeps pesky bacteria at bay.
Leaves under water? Rather not!
Make sure there are no leaves stuck to the water. Otherwise they become muddy and constitute a breeding ground for bacteria: this significantly reduces the life of your conditioners.
The perfect home for your balsams
Not only water, but also the environment plays an important role in the lifespan of your cut conditioners:
The right temperature
The balsams like it the way we like it: not too hot, not too cold. My experience shows that they feel more comfortable and last longer at 18-22°C.
Light, but please with feeling
Bright, indirect light is ideal for your conditioners. Direct sunlight causes flowers to wilt quickly. A spot near a north-facing window is often perfect.
Be careful of drafts
Balsams are real mimosas when it comes to drafts. Do not place the pot near fans, open windows or air conditioners. Air currents will cause the flowers to wilt and dry out faster than you can say «balsamine.»
Extends the lifespan of conditioners
Balsams are wonderful cut flowers, but how can you preserve their beauty for as long as possible? Here are some tricks based on my experience that have proven to be extremely effective.
Prune stems regularly: a small effort with a big impact
Every few days I cut the stems obliquely by about an inch. It may not seem like much, but it really makes a difference! This means that the flowers can absorb water better again. A sharp knife or good scissors are worth their weight in gold in this case: bruised stems are counterproductive.
Remove wilted flowers – for the aesthetics and health of the bouquet
Withered flowers and leaves should be removed promptly. Not only do they look unsightly, but they can also promote rot. Regular «trimming» keeps the bouquet fresh and attractive.
The right amount of water: a balancing act
The following applies regarding the quantity of water: neither too much nor too little. Ideally, about a third of the stems are immersed in water. Too much water promotes rot, too little causes the flowers to die of thirst. It’s definitely worth taking a look at the water level every day.
Colorful variety – balsams in combination
Balsamines are true team players in the pot. Their variety of colors and shapes invites you to experiment.
Suitable partners for balsams
I like to combine balsams with other summer beauties like zinnias or marigolds. Delicate herbs or fine gypsophila create an interesting contrast. If you prefer something more natural, you can also use wild flowers such as daisies – there are almost no limits to creativity.
A game with colors
The color combinations offer endless possibilities. Sometimes I keep it harmonious and stay within a color spectrum, maybe with different shades of pink. On other days I love contrast, for example with orange and purple. By the way, white balsams are true all-rounders and go with almost everything.
Consider different needs
Despite all the creativity, we must not forget that not all flowers require the same care. For example, some people cannot tolerate fresh food. In these cases I prepare the flowers separately and then arrange them in the vase. It is worth combining flowers with similar needs – this way they all stay fresh and beautiful longer.
Difficulty with conditioners? No problem!
Although balsams are fairly easy to care for cut flowers, they can sometimes present us with challenges. Here are some situations I encountered and how I dealt with them:
The flowers wilt too quickly
It can be quite frustrating when flowers drop their heads prematurely despite good care. There are a few possible reasons for this:
- Too hot: balsams prefer it cool. I like to put them somewhere between 15 and 20°C, which suits them very well.
- Too little water: it is worth taking a daily look at the vase. Just fill it up as needed.
- Clogged stems: I cut the stems every few days. This greatly improves water absorption.
Cloudy water in the vase
Discolored water not only looks unsightly, but can also damage conditioners. Here’s how I approach it:
- Regular water changes: Fresh water every two to three days works wonders.
- Clean vase: before filling it, I carefully clean the vase.
- Remove the leaves – everything that would be under water comes off.
- Freshness agent: a small addition keeps bacteria at bay.
The flowers fall too early
If the beautiful flowers fall too quickly, the causes can be different:
- Ethylene: Having ripe fruit nearby is not a good idea.
- Drafts: fans and air conditioning systems are real enemies.
- Stress during transport: after purchasing or cutting the flowers need some time to acclimatise.
With these tips you can keep most problems under control. I always monitor my conditioners carefully and react quickly if I notice any changes. This way they remain beautiful for a long time.
Balsamine: a feast for the senses
The variety of balsams is truly impressive. To enjoy them for a long time, here are my most important care tips:
- Fresh and bright, but without direct sun
- Change the water regularly and shorten the stems
- Remove any wilted parts immediately
- Use preservative agents
- Combine it with other flowers to create various bouquets
Personally, I love combining balsams with delicate herbs or gypsophila. This gives the bouquet a wonderfully airy and summery touch.
It’s really fun to experiment with different types of conditioners. From soft pastel tones to vibrant colors, everything is included. This always creates new and exciting combinations. And don’t forget: balsams also have a wonderfully delicate scent. I often have a vase next to my bed – a wonderful start to the day!
With a little care, balsams become grateful companions that beautify our home for weeks. I can only recommend everyone to bring this piece of summer joy home and enjoy the variety and beauty of balsams!
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