Can anyone tell Shannon and I what it looks like, what it is, and how it grows. We both got seeds of Balsam in the Christmas RR and we can't find any info on it. We found a reference to Impatiens in one search. Can anyone offer any info? Please...
Balsam?
Thanks, Donna. I second this plea! The seeds are between 1 and 1.5 mm across, round and brown....yeah I know, this rules out at least 1% of plants out there....hee hee But any advice or a point in the right direction would be great.
Happy New Year,
Shannon
When I lived up in Williams Lake I took pictures of a native plant called Balsam Root. I wonder if it could be that. I could dig up the picture and scan it for you if you want.
Sandy
Well, I dunno, Sandy. These packets were just labelled "Balsam". It would have helped to know where they came from, but the "Santa", didn't provie their name. If I don't get some concrete answers in our forum, I may have to eat humble pie and post on one of the Forums (Seed trading, maybe) and admit that this Canuck, just doesn't have a clue!
I got a pkg. that is labeled 'Red Balsam' in a bunch of seeds from a trade last spring. Also have no clue what it is. These seed are round and small, brown, maybe 2 mm. The only plant that comes up in a PF search is an impatiens. Do you guys' look the same?
echoes
Jan 01, 2005
Possibly Impatiens balsamina. A very pretty annual, especially in the double form. Shades of pinks, reds, and whites, maybe mauve. Usually just called Balsam.
You know echoes, Shannon and I both noticed that one in the PF, just didn't think it could be it.
Quoting:
Detailed information on Balsam, Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens balsamina) Search plants:
2 vendors have this plant for sale.
Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens (im-PAY-shuns) (Info)
Species: balsamina (bal-SAM-in-uh) (Info)
Synonym:Balsamina hortensis
Category:
Annuals
But maybe, that;s it. The Genus: Impatiens, put me off.
Yes, Weezi, your seeds look like mine. Little tiny brown "balls" for want of a better word...
What do you think? Is it a kind of Impatiens?
I looked it up too Donna. They're calling it Balsam so it's probably the same thing. I've never seen impatiens seeds so I can't help you there. It looks like it comes in lots of different colours and it's very pretty so it would be nice if that's what you've got. I would help to know what it is before you plant it though so you know how to start the seeds.
echoes
Jan 02, 2005
If you have the Stokes catalogue, it's on page 57. Or you could look on line. Same family as the Impatiens we grow in the shade, but very different plant. An old fashioned plant, most people don't think of it as Impatiens.
Funny, I have had impatiens every year, but I always started them as bedding plants, so I don't know if that is what impatiens seeds look like. I love impatiens, but I will be disappointed if they are annual seeds.
They look pretty so I think I'll take a stab at planting them this spring.
Thank you, ladies, for all the help. I will assume then that what has been suggested is the answer. I don't have a stokes catalog, echoes, so I'll look it up online. Balsam (kinda Impatiens) it is then. :-)
I'll go along with that.....thanks everyone for your thoughts on this! If it turns out to be what we think it is, one of us should post a photo of the seeds on the PF.
Shannon