Alicia Balsam – Flowering plants

Alicia Balsam (Impatiens aliciae) is a unique ornamental, flowering annual plant that grows up to 20-35 cm tall. The leaves are opposite, nearly stalkless, linear-lance-shaped, narrow at the base, sawtoothed at the margin, apiculate at the tip, hairless or minutely papillose-bristly above, hairless and glaucous beneath, with 1-3 glandular teeth at lower margin. The flowers are borne in leaf-axils, solitary or 2 together, pink or white with purple streaks and the flower-stalks are capillary, deflexed in fruit. Lateral sepals are linear. Lip is boat-shaped and spur nearly sac-like, about 3 mm long. Capsules ellipsoid, tapering, seeds are 10-20, subspherical, black, and shining.

Scientific classification

Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Species: I. aliciae
Scientific Name: Impatiens aliciae
Common Name: Alicia Balsam

How to grow and care for Alicia Balsam

Light

It thrives best in bright light to partial shade for healthy growth. In an area with very hot summers, plant them in partial shade, or shade them from the afternoon sun. An excessive amount of sun may cause browning of foliage, though a lot of shade may make the balsam plant leggy and flowerless.

Soil

It grows well in an evenly moist, organically rich, well-drained, peat moss-based potting mix.

Water

Water regularly, Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Flowering plants are thirsty, and they dry out quickly in containers, so check them often. Impatiens will quickly wilt if they are allowed to dry out.

Temperature

It prefers average room temperatures 60°F – 75°F / 16°C – 24°C. In winter do not let the temperature fall below 13°C (55°F).

Fertilizer

Fertilize every two weeks from spring through fall with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation:

It can be easily propagated by seed or stem cuttings. Sow impatiens seeds in spring or early summer. Germination takes 10 to 20 days at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Take 10 cm stem tip cuttings in spring or summer. They’ll root easily in water or moist soil.

Pests and Diseases:

Impatiens are susceptible to Spider mites, flower thrips, root-knot nematode, whiteflies, and aphids, especially under glass. Caterpillars outdoors. Gray mold, impatiens necrotic spot virus, fungal leaf spots, Rhizoctonia stem rot, Pseudomonas leaf spot, and Verticillium Wilt. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.