Balsam
Half Hardy Annual
18 inches to 2 feet.
Flowers July and August. Various colours; white
rose, pink, crimson; “selfs” or spotted
and splashed.
There are several classes of Balsam, described
in the catalogues as Camellia, Rose and Carnation-flowered,
from a more or less near resemblance to those
tribes; and a race of Miniatures not more than
half the height of the ordinary strains.
All are grown in the same way; raised on heat
in March, pricked out into boxes or a bed of soil
under a frame as soon as they show rough leaves,
and after due hardening, planted out on rich ground
when the risk of late frosts is over, say the
first week in June.
In places favoured as to soil and climate, the
seed may be sown in the open about the middle
of May, in the same way that such thing as Asters,
Stocks and Zinnias may
be raised without protection by handy people.
In the open they require a light, rich soil, full
sun and plenty of moisture.
Balsams flourish exceedingly well as pot-plants,
and are most generally grown in this way, being
an old-fashioned ornament of cottage windows.
Prick the seedlings from the boxes in small pots,
and re-pot about every fortnight into larger sizes,
up to 8-in pots, in which the plants will flower.
At all stages they must have plenty of water (with
good drainage) and abundant light and air to prevent
their becoming drawn and leggy.
See also : Impatiens
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