Impatiens bicolor – Flowering plants

Impatiens bicolor is an attractive annual flowering herb that grows up to 28 inches tall. The leaves are elliptic-ovate to elliptic, up to 12 cm long, margin rounded-toothed, tip tapering, leaf-stalk 2-4 cm long with basal stalkless glands. The flowers are borne in umbel-like racemes and are yellow with rose-colored dorsal petals, hence the name bicolor. The flower-stalks are up to 2 cm long elongating to 2.5 cm in fruit. The bracts are ovate, lateral sepals are green, broadly ovate, somewhat heart-shaped, apiculate. Lower sepal broadly is conical, possibly reminding of an amphora, gradually narrowed into an incurved spur. The fruit capsules are cylindrical, erect.

Scientific classification

Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Species: I.
Scientific Name: Impatiens bicolor
Synonyms: Impatiens amphorata, Impatiens nepalensis, Impatiens picta
Common Name: Bicolor Balsam, Amphora Balsam

How to grow and care for Impatiens bicolor

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 bicolorare 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.