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Himalayan balsam is an annual herb, native to the western Himalayas. In the early 1800s it was introduced to many parts of Europe, New Zealand and North America as a garden ornamental. Himalayan Balsam has an orchid shaped flower resembling a British policeman’s helmet, which gave rise to its other common name of “Policeman’s helmet”.
Himalayan balsam can completely cover an area and crowd out native vegetation. Mature seed capsules explode when touched and can eject seeds as much as 5 metres from the parent plant, giving it the alternate common name of “Touch-Me-Not plant”. It is mostly found in riparian areas, especially river edges and wetlands.
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Since its introduction to parts of North America, Europe and New Zealand, himalayan balsam has been successful in escaping cultivation and invading natural areas. In Canada, it has been reported in eight provinces including British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. It is also naturalized in the United States.
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The balsam plant, scientifically known as Impatiens balsamina, is a fascinating species of flowering plant admired for its vibrantly colored blooms. But beyond just looks, the balsam plant provides an important environmental service – producing oxygen through photosynthesis. In this article, we’ll explore exactly how much oxygen these plants generate.
Native to tropical Africa and Asia the balsam plant is an annual that thrives in humid shady areas. The plant reaches 1-3 feet in height and produces colorful flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. It goes by many names including rose balsam, touch-me-not, and jumping betty.
The balsam plant is easy to grow, requiring little maintenance It spreads readily by seed, leading some gardeners to view it as a potentially invasive weed. But its oxygen-producing capabilities make it an asset to any garden
How Photosynthesis Creates Oxygen
To understand the oxygen output of balsam plants, we first need to understand photosynthesis This is the process plants use to convert sunlight into energy
During photosynthesis, plants absorb light through chlorophyll. The chlorophyll uses the sun’s energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The plant releases oxygen as a byproduct into the air, while keeping the hydrogen to produce carbohydrates for growth.
This conversion of carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and carbohydrates is fueled by light. The more light a plant gets, the faster photosynthesis occurs.
Measuring Oxygen Production
The exact amount of oxygen produced depends on various factors:
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Light intensity – More intense light equals faster photosynthesis and higher oxygen release.
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Temperature – Photosynthesis increases with warmer temps up to a point.
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Humidity – Higher humidity promotes faster photosynthesis.
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CO2 levels – Higher CO2 also increases photosynthesis rate.
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Size and health – Larger, healthier plants produce more oxygen.
Under ideal conditions, researchers estimate a single balsam plant can produce around 5-6 mL of oxygen per hour. This amounts to 120-144 mL per day.
However, oxygen production follows natural diurnal rhythms. Output is highest during daylight hours when photosynthesis is occurring, and lowest at night when plants undergo respiration.
The Positive Impacts
Beyond just producing oxygen, balsam plants provide other environmental benefits:
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Removes carbon dioxide from the air
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Improves overall air quality
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Supports biodiversity by attracting pollinators
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Adds beauty and color to gardens
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Provides herbal remedies when crushed
When planted en masse, balsam plants can make a measurable positive impact on local air quality and oxygen levels. Home gardeners can help by cultivating balsam plants around their houses and neighborhoods.
Growing More Oxygen-Producing Balsams
If you want to harness the balsam plant’s oxygen-generating power, follow these tips:
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Plant in an area with at least 4 hours of daily sun. Morning light is ideal.
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Use rich, well-draining soil amended with compost.
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Water when top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Avoid overwatering.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
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Grow new plants each year since balsams are annuals.
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For indoor growing, use full spectrum grow lights.
With supportive conditions, balsam plants will reward you with plentiful oxygen production alongside gorgeous flowers. Appreciate these multifaceted plants for their environmental contributions as well as beauty.
Through the process of photosynthesis, each balsam plant produces around 5-6 mL of oxygen per hour. This accumulates to have a positive impact on air quality, especially when planted en masse. By understanding how balsam plants generate oxygen, we can better appreciate their role in sustaining life on Earth.
Impacts of Himalayan Balsam
- Creates dense stands that prevent native plants from establishing and reduce biodiversity and ecological value of land.
- Prolific nectar producer, drawing pollinators away from surrounding native species.
- Produces about 800 seeds per plant, which are released from capsules once they are disturbed or dry out.
- An annual species that can aggressively replace native perennial plants along river banks, leading to soil erosion.
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How to Identify Himalayan Balsam
- Stems are hollow and smooth with purple to reddish colour. Able to grow 1-3 m (3.3-9.8 ft) tall.
- Leaves are 6-15 cm (2.4-5.9 in) long and are widest in the middle with sharply toothed edges.
- Flowers have 5 pink, white or purple petals, with 5-10 flowers on each stem.
- Seeds are produced in capsules 1.5-3.5 cm (0.6-1.4 in) long with up to 16 seeds inside. Mature seed capsules explode when touched, launching seeds in all directions up to 5 m (16.4 ft) away.
- Looks similar to Ontario’s native Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), which is a related species with yellow-orange flowers.
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How Many Plants Do You Need To Breathe?
FAQ
How many trees offset one person breathing?
Is balsam flower invasive?
How did the Himalayan balsam get to Canada?
Are balsam flowers tough?
They’re tough plants. Balsam flower pros include the plant’s ability to thrive in shady areas and moist woodland gardens. Once established, balsam flowers require very little care and they’ll bloom even during your worst summer heat waves.
How long does balsam take to grow?
Balsam requires 60 to 70 days from sowing to produce flowers, so an early start is essential. Learn how to grow balsam and enjoy these lovely colorful flowers through the end of the season. Try growing Balsam plants from seed if you have a long growing season, or pick them up at your favorite nursery.
Do balsam flowers need a lot of care?
Balsam flower pros include the plant’s ability to thrive in shady areas and moist woodland gardens. Once established, balsam flowers require very little care and they’ll bloom even during your worst summer heat waves. Just amend the soil with a little well-rotted manure or compost before planting, then keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy.
How much oxygen does a plant produce a day?
The average house plant has 20 leaves, each leaf creating roughly 5ml of oxygen per hour. This means each one of your plants is producing 100ml of oxygen per hour which is 2.4L of oxygen produced per day, per plant. How many plants would you need to sustain one human life?