Impatiens brachycentra – Flowering plants

Impatiens brachycentra is a unique and rare, annual herb that grows 6-16 inches tall. It has spirally arranged, elliptic-ovate to ovate leaves that are toothed, base glandular. The flowers are white, axillary, single or in pairs or in very few-flowered clusters, bracts up to 6 mm. long, lanceolate-triangular to nearly subulate, pedicels 2·5–4 cm. long, slender, usually glabrous. The lateral sepals are ovate, about 1.5 mm long, the spur is almost absent, only 1 mm long, sometimes tinged yellow. The capsules are erect, cylindrical to almost club-shaped. Seeds are oblong, wrinkled.

Scientific classification

Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Species: I. brachycentra
Scientific Name: Impatiens brachycentra
Common Name: Spurless Balsam

How to grow and care for Impatiens brachycentra

Light

It thrives best in bright indirect sunlight to partial shade. 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:

Impatiens brachycentra 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.