Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Balsam bloomed @ home

Balsam Flower Pot
First time I saw the balsam in Valparai, on the Western Ghats and it was bloomed in gorgeous red! Impressed in its beautiful and colorful flowers, my grandmother collected some seeds from there and sowed at our flower pots and in her backyard. The plant grows very fast and looked like small trees grown in pots, but they haven’t flowered and we also stopped watering the plant and later cleared the pots to plant other.

IMG_6100
The balsam plant, which is native to the Himalayas has colorful blossoms and also sweet scented. Just look like an orchid growing in the wild, the balsam plant grows in hilly regions and does not require much watering. The plant grows in large numbers and sometimes the whole mountainous region where the plant is seen is covered with pink or red. The balsam plant has a unique way of propagation, which develops seed pods that burst and spreads the seeds far away.

Red Balsam @ home
The flap of a petal which looks like a helmet and this plant is also called the policeman’s helmet. The plant grows for two to three feet and flowers profusely, have leaves bright green in color growing in central arrangement and have wavy edges. The balsam blooms almost similar to rose flowers, look like roses from far and only the fact that they don’t have thorns.

The balsam grows and blooms during summers and beginning of rains, has shown blossom now at home and not from our pot, but the tenants who share our house in upstairs. They have kept their flower pots in front of our house, which we water daily since they haven’t occupied quite yet. 

15 comments:

Optimistic Existentialist said...

We don't have balsam here in KY (at least I don't think we do). Cool plant. Love the bright red! Hope all is well Jeevan!

George said...

The balsam plant has beautiful blossoms -- I really like the bright red color of these blossoms. It's too bad they didn't bloom for you in the pots.

TexWisGirl said...

wow! really beautiful plant!

Rajesh said...

Beautiful flower. This is nice to have in the garden.

Uppal said...

Beautiful flowers and matching content!

Simran said...

Balsam is a beautiful flower. I like it's bright color. I'd love to grow it in my garden but not sure to find it here.

Beautiful clicks ! :)

Destination Infinity said...

Beautiful flowers. I like the way they spread. I am trying to grow a few vegetables in a couple of pots, at home. But nothing is coming! Need to try more :)

Destination Infinity

Anonymous said...

What a lovely plant!

Renu said...

Beautiful flower!

Sandhya said...

The flowers look beautiful! Lovely colours!

Will look for this plant now! Thank you for reminding this flower!

Ponniyinselvan/karthikeyan(1981-2005 ) said...

I love these flowers. I had many colours in my Metturdam house.used to make garlands and give them to temple.Nice flowers.
karthik amma

Indrani said...

Beautiful. I have the purple variety.

Unknown said...

The balsam flowers we have here seem to be on a longer stalk with more blooms up the stem. However I do love them and yours are a delight to the eye also.

L. D. said...

I remember my mom growing balsam in the garden. I may have to find some see and plant some for old times sake.

Twilight Man said...

I have seen these blooms in my country but had no idea of their names until I read your post. We have pinkish shades too.