Impatiens bracteata – Flowering plants

Impatiens bracteata (Bracted Balsam) is an ornamental, annual plant that grows up to 12-16 inches tall. It has ovate or ovate-lance-shaped, opposite or alternately arranged leaves, below slightly velvet-hairy on veins, above sparsely or densely adpressed hairy, lateral veins 7 or 8 pairs, margin rounded toothed-sawtoothed, tip pointed or tapering. The stem is erect, simple, or shortly branched in the lower part, hairless or slightly velvet-hairy in the upper part.

It produces a cluster of small, pink-purple, or purple flowers that are borne at branch-ends, occasionally in leaf-axils. The lateral sepals 2, lance-shaped. The lower sepal is boat-shaped, with an incurved spur 8-9 mm. The upper petal is ovate-round, lower midvein prominently crested, lateral united petals are clawed, basal lobes round, small; distal lobes subovate; ear inflexed. Anthers are blunt, ovary oblong. The fruit capsule is elliptic, narrowed at both ends, hairless. Seeds are obovoid, compressed, hairy.

Scientific classification

Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Species: I. bracteata
Scientific Name: Impatiens bracteata
Common Name:Bracted Balsam
Synonyms: Impatiens fimbriata

How to grow and care for Impatiens bracteata

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 bracteata 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 bracteata 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.