Balfour's touch-me-not (Impatiens balfourii) Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses

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Balfour's touch-me-not

Impatiens balfourii

Also known as: Poor man's orchid

Balfour's touch-me-not (Impatiens balfourii) is an annual herb that is native to the Himalayas but has become naturalized in parts of Europe and North America. It grows best in moist, cool habitats near riverbanks and roadsides. The genus name is a reference to the plant’s seed capsules which, when ripe, will burst open at the slightest touch.

Planting Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

More Info

Flower Color

White

Yellow

Pink

Purple

Bloom Time

Summer, Fall

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Balfour's touch-me-not

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Distribution Map

Habitat

Banks of rivers, Roadsides, Wastelands

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Questions About Balfour's touch-me-not

Watering

Sunlight

Temperature

What is the best way to water my Balfour's touch-me-not?

To water Balfour's touch-me-not, you can use a garden hose with a spray nozzle, a watering can, or just about any other common watering tool. Generally, Balfour's touch-me-not is not too picky about how they receive their water, as they can live off of rainwater, tap water, or filtered water. Often, you should try not to water this plant from overhead, as doing so can damage the leaves and flowers and may lead to disease as well. At times, the best method for watering this plant is to set up a drip irrigation system. These systems work well for Balfour's touch-me-not as they apply water evenly and directly to the soil. For one Balfour's touch-me-not that grows in a container, you can use a similar watering approach while changing the tools you use. To water a container-grown Balfour's touch-me-not, use a cup, watering can, or your tap to apply water directly to the soil.

What should I do if I water my Balfour's touch-me-not too much or too little?

The remedy for underwatering Balfour's touch-me-not is somewhat obvious. When you notice that your plant lacks moisture, simply begin watering it on a more regular basis. The issue of overwatering can be a much more dire situation, especially if you fail to notice it early. When your Balfour's touch-me-not is overwatered, it may contract diseases that lead to its decline and death. The best way to prevent this outcome is to choose a proper growing location, one that receives plenty of sunlight to help dry the soil and has good enough drainage to allow excess water to drain rather than pooling and causing waterlogged soils. If you overwater your Balfour's touch-me-not that lives in a pot, you may need to consider changing it to a new pot. Your previous container may not have contained soil with good drainage or may not have had sufficient drainage holes. As you repot your overwatered Balfour's touch-me-not, make sure to add loose soils and to use a pot that drains efficiently.

How often should I water my Balfour's touch-me-not?

Balfour's touch-me-not needs water regularly throughout the growing season. Beginning in spring, you should plan to water this plant about once per week. As the season presses on and grows warmer, you may need to increase your watering rate to about two to three times per week. Exceeding at this rate can be detrimental to your Balfour's touch-me-not. With that said, you should also ensure that the soil in which your Balfour's touch-me-not grows remains relatively moist but not wet, regardless of how often you must water to make that the case. Watering Balfour's touch-me-not that lives in a pot is a bit different. Generally, you'll need to increase your watering frequency, as the soil in a pot can heat up and dry out a bit faster than ground soil. As such, you should plan to water a container-grown Balfour's touch-me-not a few times per week in most cases, versus just once per week for an in-ground plant.

How much water does my Balfour's touch-me-not need?

There are a few different ways you can go about determining how much water to give to your Balfour's touch-me-not. Some gardeners choose to pick their water volume based on feeling the soil for moisture. That method suggests that you should water until you feel that the first six inches of soil have become moist. Alternatively, you can use a set measurement to determine how much to water your Balfour's touch-me-not. Typically, you should give your Balfour's touch-me-not about two gallons of water per week, depending on how hot it is and how quickly the soil becomes dry. However, following strict guidelines like that can lead to overwatering if your plant requires less than two gallons per week for whatever reason. When growing Balfour's touch-me-not in a container, you will need to use a different method to determine how much water to supply. Typically, you should give enough water to moisten all of the layers of soil that have become dry. To test if that is the case, you can simply stick your finger in the soil to feel for moisture. You can also water the soil until you notice a slight trickle of excess water exiting the drainage holes of your pot.

How can I tell if i'm watering my Balfour's touch-me-not enough?

It can be somewhat difficult to avoid overwatering your Balfour's touch-me-not. On the one hand, these plants have relatively deep roots that require you to moisten the soil weekly. On the other hand, Balfour's touch-me-not are plants that are incredibly susceptible to root rot. Along with root rot, your Balfour's touch-me-not may also experience browning as a result of overwatering. Underwatering is far less likely for your Balfour's touch-me-not as these plants can survive for a while in the absence of supplemental watering. However, if you go too long without giving this plant water, it will likely begin to wilt. You may also notice dry leaves.

How should I water my Balfour's touch-me-not through the seasons?

You can expect your Balfour's touch-me-not’s water needs to increase as the season moves on. During spring, you should water about once per week. Then, as the summer heat arrives, you will likely need to give a bit more water to your Balfour's touch-me-not, at times increasing to about three times per week. This is especially true of Balfour's touch-me-not that grow in containers, as the soil in a container is far more likely to dry out faster than ground soil when the weather is warm. In autumn, while your Balfour's touch-me-not is still in bloom, it may need a bit less water as the temperature has likely declined, and the sun is no longer as strong as it was in summer.

How should I water my Balfour's touch-me-not at different growth stages?

Balfour's touch-me-not will move through several different growth stages throughout the year, some of which may require more water than others. For example, you will probably start your Balfour's touch-me-not as a seed. While the seed germinates, you should plant to give more water than your Balfour's touch-me-not will need later in life, watering often enough to maintain consistent soil moisture. After a few weeks, your Balfour's touch-me-not will grow above the soil and may need slightly less water than at the seedling phase. Then, once this plant is mature, you can begin to use the regular watering frequency of about once per week. As flower development takes place, you may need to give slightly more water to aid the process.

What's the difference between watering Balfour's touch-me-not indoors and outdoors?

There are several reasons why most Balfour's touch-me-not grow outdoors rather than indoors. The first is that these plants typically grow to tall. The second reason is that Balfour's touch-me-not needs more daily sunlight than most indoor growing locations can provide. If you are able to provide a suitable indoor growing location, you may find that you need to give your Balfour's touch-me-not water a bit more often than you would in an outdoor growing location. Part of the reason for this is that indoor growing locations tend to be a lot drier than outdoor ones due to HVAC units. The other reason for this is that soil in containers can dry out relatively quickly as well compared to soil in the ground.

How many hours of sunlight does Balfour's touch-me-not need to grow?

The Balfour's touch-me-not prefers partial sunlight and will do well with a minimum of 3-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. When planting the Balfour's touch-me-not in your garden, it's best to choose a spot that has morning sun and afternoon shade. You can also plant the Balfour's touch-me-not under a tree that provides filtered sunlight. The Balfour's touch-me-not can be grown in containers and placed on a patio, balcony, or porch, but they should be moved around to get the right amount of light throughout the day.

What will happen if Balfour's touch-me-not doesn’t get enough sunlight?

When the Balfour's touch-me-not does not get enough sunlight, they will not grow well and will become leggy, with thin and long stems that tend to seek sunlight. They will not bloom or produce seeds in the shade. They will also develop yellow or pale green leaves, which will stunt their growth. The Balfour's touch-me-not will become more susceptible to diseases and pests if they are not getting enough light.

What will happen if Balfour's touch-me-not gets too much sunlight?

The Balfour's touch-me-not can be damaged by too much sunlight, especially during the hot summer months. They will develop brown spots on the leaves and flowers, and the leaves may even start to fall off. The Balfour's touch-me-not may also become dehydrated, and the leaves may wilt. If you notice any of these signs, move the Balfour's touch-me-not to a location with more shade or reduce the amount of sunlight they are getting.

Cautions and tips

When planting the Balfour's touch-me-not, it's important to choose a spot that provides the right amount of sunlight. The Balfour's touch-me-not prefers partial sunlight, and you should avoid planting them in areas that are in full sun all day. If you are growing Balfour's touch-me-not in a container, you should also choose a location that can tolerate partial sunlight or provide shade in the appropriate position to ensure they get the right amount of sunlight. When transplanting the Balfour's touch-me-not, it's important to avoid sudden sunlight exposure. Give the Balfour's touch-me-not time to mature before transplanting outside.

In conclusion, the Balfour's touch-me-not prefers partial sunlight and can grow well with a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct sunlight each day. They can be grown in containers and placed on a patio, balcony, or porch, but they should be moved around to get the right amount of light throughout the day. The Balfour's touch-me-not will not grow well if they do not get enough sunlight and can be damaged by too much sunlight, especially during the hot summer months. When planting the Balfour's touch-me-not, it's important to choose a spot that provides the right amount of sunlight and to avoid sudden sunlight exposure when transplanting.

What is the optimal temperature for Balfour's touch-me-not?

For this tropical plant to thrive, you’ll want to keep them between 75℉ and 90℉ (25-32℃). Each species can handle temperatures outside of this range, but keeping it within several degrees of these limits will ensure they grow to their maximum potential.

As for its extreme temperature limits, any environment below 50℉ (10℃) or above 95℉ (35℃) will begin to hinder its growth and cause various aberrations to its leaves and stems. This is especially true with low temperatures; even a light frost can cause your tropical plants to perish. Cellular death can begin to happen at a rapid pace, with some species dying in as little as 12 to 24 hours.

Does Balfour's touch-me-not require different temperatures for different growing phases?

While Balfour's touch-me-not doesn’t require any changes in temperature to enter different growing phases, it is important to stay consistent. Wild temperature fluctuations can slow down its growth regardless of its current phase, so it's always better to keep them in a controlled environment. That optimal temperature range of 75℉ and 90℉ (25-32℃) is vital to maintain, especially staying above the lower limit. Going above 90℉(32℃) isn’t ideal, but as tropical plant it won’t suffer too much. On the other hand, going below 50℉ (10℃) (and especially 40℉/5℃) will begin to directly damage this heat-loving plant species.

Does Balfour's touch-me-not need different temperatures for different seasons?

Balfour's touch-me-not does not need different temperatures for different growing seasons. The most important step in seasonal care is to keep the environment within the optimal temperature range. That's why it's always best to keep this plant indoors. That way, you can control the temperature no matter what the climate is like outside.

Light is also important for tropical species, with all of these plants preferring a partial side level of sun exposure. This means any light they receive needs to be dappled or filtered, with bright but indirect light being the best option when growing your plants indoors. Too much direct sunlight can negatively affect your plant’s leaves, reducing its growth potential.

What are the temperature guidelines to keep your Balfour's touch-me-not healthy?

Tip #1: Don’t Leave Your Plant Near Windows in Colder Months

If you want to make sure your plant isn’t exposed to colder temperatures, you may want to keep them away from windows. In colder months like late fall and winter, even the smallest draft can leak cold air into your home through cracks in your windows. While this air usually dissipates and warms up as it travels throughout your home, any plants placed in close proximity to the window will be affected. Move your tropical plants into an area where they will still get bright but indirect light, while making sure they won’t be affected by potential drafts.

Tip #2: If You Find Dry Patches, Your Plant May Be Getting Too Much Sunlight or Heat

You may notice the leaves become white or even scorched on a sunny day. These discolorations and unusual markings usually indicate that a plant is getting too much heat or sunlight, and it may be dehydrated. Excess light and heat will dry out the soil, stopping plants from getting the moisture they need to support their cellular structure. It also slows down or stops the process of photosynthesis, further hindering growth. If ignored for too long, these dry spots can spread and eventually result in the death of your plants.

Tip #3: Avoid Frost at All Costs

Colder temperatures and frost can damage your plants by causing ice crystals or disrupt normal physiological activity. This makes it nearly impossible for water to move freely throughout plant tissue, creating a deficit of moisture in their stems and leaves. You can tell a plant has been damaged by frost if it begins to suffer from hydrosis (it will appear as though it's soaked with water.) If the problem persists, your plants may begin shriveling and turning a dark brown or black hue. After that, the plant will almost certainly die.

What is the best way to maintain the right temperature for my Balfour's touch-me-not?

The best way to maintain the right temperature range for Balfour's touch-me-not is by keeping an eye on both the climate and humidity. You’ll want to try to keep each species in a room where you have access to climate control, keeping the heat in the temperature range best mimics its natural habitat. The humidity levels will also have a direct effect on temperature, so it's important to monitor these as well. You can artificially raise the humidity of your growing space by using a humidifier or lightly misting the leaves with water.

If you intend to grow this species outside, you may find it difficult to maintain the right balance of temperature and humidity. If temperatures begin to drop or the air becomes too dry, your best option is to find room within your home and move your plant inside. An indoor growing space will allow you to control the climate more closely, helping your plant reach its full potential.

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Water

Every week

Balfour's touch-me-not originates from regions with seasonal climates, preferring evenly moist soil. Ensure to water only when necessary to prevent overwatering, and always check soil moisture beforehand.

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Lighting

Partial sun

Balfour's touch-me-not appreciates a location with moderate sun exposure, as it originates from an environment where sunlight is often mingled with shade. Although too intense or too little light might affect its growth, this plant doesn't need specific sunlight requirements at different stages of growth. Excess sun exposure could lead to leaf scorch, while too little could hamper flowering.

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Temperature

10 to 35 ℃

Balfour's touch-me-not originates from tropical regions, where the climate is typically warm and humid. As a result, it is well-adapted to high temperatures and humidity. It doesn't appreciate sudden temperature changes and prefers a stable temperature environment, so it's important to avoid temperature fluctuations indoors. It usually doesn't tolerate cold temperatures and requires higher temperatures for growth. If the environmental temperature drops too low, the plant may cease growth or even die.

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Add to My Garden

Balfour's touch-me-not

Impatiens balfourii

Also known as: Poor man's orchid

Planting Time

Spring, Summer, Fall