Impatiens noli-tangere aka Balsam
Taxonomy
Impatiens noli-tangere, also known as touch-me-not balsam, yellow balsam, jewelweed, western touch-me-not or wild balsam, is an annual herbaceous plant in the family Balsaminaceae. It can be found in damp places in Europe, Asia and North America. The plant gets its name from the fact that its pods forcefully explode when ripe, ejecting the seeds for some distance. Impatiens noli-tangere has large, leafy stems that are hollow and pale yellow flowers with an irregular shape consisting of a sac and curved spur. The flowers grow from the leaf axils, measure up to 2.5 cm in length, and have a lower lip that is 1.5 cm wide. In addition to being found in the wild, balsam can also be grown as a houseplant. It requires regular watering and direct light, and does best when the soil is well draining. A gentle, organic fertilizer can be used throughout the peak growing season to promote healthy growth.
Common names
Balsam, Quick In The HandHow to care for Balsam
Difficulty
Balsam requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.
Water
Balsam should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Balsam loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Balsam prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.
Humidity
The Balsam is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.
Region of origin
Balsam’s native range is the Northern Hemisphere.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Impatiens Genus
Impatiens capensis Jewelweed
Impatiens textorii Tsurifune SŌ
Impatiens sodenii Shrub Balsam
Impatiens pallida Jewelweed
Impatiens uniflora Impatiens Uniflora
Impatiens aurella Pale Yellow Touch Me Not
Impatiens balfourii Balfour's Touch Me Not
Impatiens glandulifera Himalayan Balsam
Impatiens hawkeri Impatiens
