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Balsam

 
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Posts: 4303
Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
1740
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Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is also known as garden balsam, rose balsam, touch-me-not and spotted snapweed.



Balsam is an annual flower originating from India/Myanmar. Besides the beautiful flowers, the plant produces seed pods that 'snap' at the slightest of concussive force sending seeds flying out of the pod in all directions. The plant's leaves have been used for a form of nail dying in some cultures. The plant is reported to have medicinal properties ranging from treating snakebites to digestive issues.

In my experience, it was an easy germinating plant that transplanted well. I planted my plants in a raised bed under semi-shaded conditions and they flourished growing almost three feet fall. I received a few rounds of seed pod production in zone 5B making the job of saving seed a little bit easier. The pods take a little time to get used to in order to gather seed in a reasonable time frame but they do fight you a bit. If you aren't careful, the seed pods snap and send seeds across your kitchen table.
 
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Location: Zone 6b
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Balsam is one of my favorite flowers too. It's very easy to grow and self seed readily. It also comes in other colors like white, red, fuchsia and purple. In the past, people smashed the petals and used the colored juice as nail polish. In my garden, the blossoms attract many pollinators including bumble bee and hummingbird.
IMG_20240922_221330.jpg
Volunteer Balsam all over my garden
Volunteer Balsam all over my garden
 
Timothy Norton
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Posts: 4303
Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
1740
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I was wondering how well the seeds might fair over the winter.

I have purposely saved some seeds, but I know plenty have been spread naturally so we will see next year. The plants I put in this prior growing season were started inside and that was a breeze. They transplanted well to boot.
 
Timothy Norton
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Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
1740
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I was wondering how well the seeds might fair over the winter.

I have purposely saved some seeds, but I know plenty have been spread naturally so we will see next year. The plants I put in this prior growing season were started inside and that was a breeze. They transplanted well to boot.
 
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