Do You Deadhead Balsam Impatiens?

Description

• Balsam impatiens, also known as rose balsam, Impatiens balsamina and touch-me-not, grow up to 2 1/2 feet tall and feature double flowers closely resembling small roses. The white, pink, red, purple or bicolor flowers peek in and out of the leaves for an understated appearance in the garden.

Deadheading

• Gardeners use deadheading, or the removal of old flowers, to stimulate continued blooming throughout the growing season. Once flowers are pollinated, the plant focuses energy on seed production and stops producing new flowers. While deadheading balsam impatiens does not increase the bloom, it does clean up the look of the plant by removing flowers that are fading or brown. North Carolina State University Extension recommends simply pinching the flower off the stem when deadheading small flowers, such as those of balsam impatiens.

Pruning

• When summer days begin to heat up, balsam impatiens often begin to grow spindly, featuring long bare stems with few leaves and flowers on the tops. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System recommends pruning to maintain a compact and dense plant. When impatiens begin to grow tall and thin, pinch the stems back to 3 inches from the ground to encourage new growth and blooming.

Encouraging Bloom

• For optimum growth and bloom, plant balsam impatiens in shade to partial shade in a soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Iowa State University Extension recommends a moist, well-draining soil supplemented with a light application of slow-release garden fertilizer. Plants receiving too little water will not bloom well. Water on a weekly basis, increasing to daily watering during the hottest weeks of the summer.

Seed Production

• Deadheading and pruning reduces the ability of balsam impatiens to produce their unique seed pods. The small, football-shaped pods burst open when touched. Allowing the impatiens to go to seed at the end of the season will reseed the garden area for the next spring.