Marigolds are easy to grow, they are unpretentious, and the colorful variety will delight any gardener, because marigolds come in white, yellow, orange, red and multi-colored. Marigolds will bloom from mid-summer until frost. Marigolds are also varied in size, miniature varieties are the size of a foot, and giant specimens can reach up to 1.5 meters in height! You can choose the color and size that is perfect for your flower garden. And don’t neglect the opportunity to plant marigolds in containers; small specimens thrive in them.

Steps

Part 1

Preparing to grow marigolds

Determine what vegetation zone you live in. Marigolds can be found in many gardens in Russia, but these plants can be either perennial or annual. But throughout Russia in winter, marigolds freeze and do not germinate. next year.

• Marigolds are quite difficult to grow from seeds. In warm plant zones where there are no winter frosts, marigolds do not die in winter and are fully restored the following spring.

1. Find out when to plant marigolds. Even though marigolds are unpretentious plants, they will not survive cold weather. Plant marigolds after the last frost.

   • If possible, plant marigolds on a cloudy day or in the morning, so the plants will not be exposed to heat during transplantation, and transplant shock will be mitigated.

2. Decide whether you will plant marigolds from seeds or seedlings. It will take several weeks for the seeds to germinate, but the financial costs will be minimal. Seedlings or ready-made plants purchased from nurseries will allow you to see results immediately, although this is a more expensive option.

   • If you decide to use seeds, plant them 4-6 weeks before you plant the marigolds outside.
   • If you decide to use seedlings or ready-made plants, you can plant them in open ground as soon as the last frost ends.

3. Determine where you will grow your marigolds. Marigolds grow well in flowerbeds, pots and other containers, but they require room to spread out. Mature marigold plants in a flowerbed should be planted 60-90cm apart to allow room for them and to ensure each plant receives enough sunlight.

   Determine what size marigolds you want to grow. There are four main groups of marigold species, and within each of them there are different variants colors and sizes.

   • African marigolds come in two varieties: “large-flowered” and “tall.” Marigolds with large flowers are usually short, 30-35 cm, but, as their name suggests, they have very large flowers, up to 9 cm in diameter. Tall African marigolds have small flowers, but the plants themselves can grow up to 90 cm in height. Both species usually bloom orange or yellow flowers. African marigolds are still “American”.
   • French marigolds come in two varieties: “large-flowered” and “dwarf.” French marigolds with large flowers are 30 to 40 cm tall, with flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. Dwarf French marigolds barely reach 30 cm in height. They come in yellow, gold and orange.
   • Triploid marigolds are a hybrid of African and French marigolds and are generally unable to reproduce. These marigolds are relatively tall, with large (up to 5 cm in diameter) flowers.
   • Simple marigolds are slightly different from other varieties; their inflorescences are not double and lush, but simplified, reminiscent of daisies.

4. Thin out the seedlings when the plants reach 5 cm in height. Take a spoon or other small utensil. Be careful not to damage the roots. Remove any dead or dried out plants.

   Replant the marigolds when they reach 15cm in height. Plant marigolds in a flowerbed or other container when the plants have grown to 15 cm and are strong. Plant seedlings carefully, do not damage them root system.

Part 3

Planting marigolds

Loosen the soil by digging it at least 15 cm deep. Use a special tool, such as a hoe, or even just break up the clods of earth with your hands. Loose soil will allow oxygen to flow to the roots of plants.

• Remove any sticks, stones, or debris from the soil. Foreign objects will slow down root growth.

1. Dig a small hole for the plant. The root system of marigolds should fit freely into the hole, the leaves should remain above the surface of the ground.

   Place the plant in the hole. Bury the marigold roots with soil and compact the soil around the plant. Water the plant with a watering can at the base until the surrounding soil is moist, but not too soggy or waterlogged.

   Mulch the soil to prevent weeds from growing. Spread an inch or two of mulch, pine bark or other organic material in the flower bed between the plants. This will also help the soil retain moisture so you won't have to water your marigolds as often.

   Fertilize the soil. Most fertilizers for home use contain three main components necessary for plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Part 4

Caring for marigolds

Water marigolds from below, not from above. Watering marigolds from above can damage the leaves and flowers and may even cause them to rot. Try to water marigolds at the base of the plant.

• Avoid watering marigolds with a garden hose. The water pressure from the hose will wash away upper layer soil.

1. Remove faded inflorescences. Removing faded inflorescences from a flowering plant is one of the stages of growing flowers. This is not a necessary step, but removing spent blooms will prolong the flowering of the marigolds.

Marigolds (lat. Tagetes) is a genus of perennial and annual plants belonging to the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. The plants are native to South and Central America. They have long been used in rituals of local Indian tribes, as well as to get rid of various diseases. Marigolds came to Europe in the 16th century and were the first overseas flowers to appear in Russia. Marigold flowers owe their name to Carl Linnaeus, who named them in honor of Tages, an Etruscan demigod, grandson of Jupiter, famous for his gift of fortune-telling and beauty. Today marigolds, or, as they are also called, black-browed ones, number about 40 species and are cultivated in many countries around the world.

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Planting and caring for marigolds (in brief)

• Landing: sowing in open ground at the end of May or beginning of June. For seedlings - in March.
• Bloom: from June until frost.
• Lighting: bright sunlight or partial shade.
• The soil: loamy, well moistened at the beginning of the growing season, nutritious, neutral.
• Watering: regular and sufficient until flowering begins, then moderate.
• Feeding: mineral solutions: 1st – at a seedling height of 10 cm, 2nd – during budding, 3rd – at the beginning of flowering.
• Trimming: possible, but not required.
• Reproduction: seed.
• Pests: spider mites, thrips, aphids, caterpillars, snails, slugs.
• Diseases: gray rot, black leg, root rot, viral infections.

Read more about growing marigolds below.

Marigold flowers - description

The stems of marigolds are erect or branched, forming a bush with a height of 20 cm to 130 cm. The root system is fibrous, the leaves are pinnately divided or pinnately dissected, opposite or alternate, the color of the leaves is from light green to dark green. Flower baskets in different shades of yellow, brown and orange. The middle flowers are tubular, bisexual, the marginal flowers are pseudolingulate, with five stamens. The pistil has two stigmas and the ovary is inferior. Marigolds bloom very profusely from June until the first frost. The fruit is a linear achene. Marigold seeds self-sow abundantly and remain viable for 3-4 years. The flowers do not emit a strong spicy smell as much as the leaves of marigolds.

Growing marigolds from seeds

Planting marigolds is not difficult even for a beginner, since these flowers are completely unpretentious. You can dig in a ready-made flowering bush, and it will almost certainly take root and delight you with long flowering. Or you can easily sow the seeds directly into open ground. This should be done in May, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. Use a hoe to make a furrow approximately 5 cm deep, water it, sow seeds into the furrow and cover them with soil. The shoots will appear in a couple of weeks, and if they grow too thick, replant them.

But for those who are not looking for easy ways and are ready to test themselves as a breeder, we will tell you how to sow marigolds, how to grow marigolds from seedlings, how marigolds are obtained from seeds and when to plant marigolds as seedlings.

Preparing marigold seeds for planting

Marigold seeds are purchased only for the first planting, since at the end of flowering you can easily get seeds from your faded marigolds. You just need to let a few inflorescences dry well right on the bush and, if there is no rain, you can easily remove the ripened seeds from the cup, dry them and save them until spring sowing. Just remember that almost all marigolds existing in cultivation are hybrids, which means that every fourth seedling does not retain varietal properties and can inherit either paternal or maternal characteristics. Many gardeners plant marigold seedlings with sprouted seeds. To germinate, place the seeds on a saucer covered with a damp cloth, place the saucer in a plastic bag and place in a warm place. After three days, the seeds should hatch.

In the photo: Marigold seeds

When to sow marigolds for seedlings

The sooner you sow marigolds for seedlings (at least in early spring), the faster they will bloom. If you are growing different types, then know that upright marigolds are sown earlier than others (in mid-March), low-growing and small-leaved marigolds are sown in early April, and then all three species will bloom in June. Growing marigold seedlings is a simple process, but there are points that should not be missed. Prepare a soil mixture: humus, peat, turf, sand (1; 1; 1; 0.5) and disinfect by pouring a disinfectant fungicide solution or a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Make sure that at the bottom of the container there is a drainage layer of crushed stone, sand or expanded clay 3 cm high, add fertilizer to the soil (any organic matter, except fresh manure).

Make grooves at a distance of 1.5-2 cm from each other, place the seeds in them and sprinkle with a small layer of soil. You need to water very carefully so that the water does not wash the seeds out of the soil. Keep the containers in a warm place (22-25 ºC) and make sure that the soil does not dry out. Sprouts should appear no later than a week later, then the container should be moved to the light and the temperature should be slightly reduced (15-18 ºC).

In the photo: Sowing marigold seeds for seedlings

When to plant marigolds

Seedlings are planted in open ground when the threat of late frosts has passed: marigolds come from warm regions and cannot tolerate cold weather. In addition, you need to wait until the seedlings have formed at least 3 leaves and a powerful root system. This usually occurs at the end of May or beginning of June. Marigolds need nutritious soil, well-moistened in the first half of summer, loamy and neutral. If the soil is infertile, you will have to fertilize 2-3 times during the growing season.

In the photo: Marigold seedlings in pots

The distance between seedlings depends on the species and variety. Tall marigolds are planted every 40 cm, the distance between the rows is also 40 cm (40x40 pattern), medium-sized ones - according to the 30x30 pattern, low-growing ones - 20x20. After planting, there is a need for frequent and abundant watering of marigolds, because despite the fact that they are considered drought-resistant plants, if marigolds are not watered enough, they will grow puny and their inflorescences will be small.

In the photo: Marigolds blooming in a flowerbed

Caring for marigolds

Marigolds love bright lighting, and although they tolerate partial shade and even shade well, they bloom most magnificently in the strongest sun. During growth watering should be sufficient, but as soon as the inflorescences begin to form, watering must be reduced so that the moisture does not stagnate: this causes the plants to rot and not bloom. Fertilize marigolds are not at all necessary, but if you feed them, the marigolds will respond gratefully. You need to feed with complex fertilizers when the seedlings reach a height of 10 cm, then when the first buds appear and, finally, at the very beginning of flowering.

Marigolds need regular weeding and loosening the soil, otherwise it is difficult for them to breathe. In summer, if the marigolds have grown, spend pruning to form beautiful bushes. Remove spent blooms and the plants will bloom even more. The peculiar aroma of marigolds and the phytoncides they contain serve as protection against fungal diseases not only for the plants themselves, but also for those growing in the neighborhood. It’s not for nothing that many flower growers frame the entire landscape with marigold plantings. garden plot. But if the summer is too wet, they may appear snails And slugs. The smell of bleach placed in jars between the plants can scare them away.

Sometimes it still appears on leaves and stems. gray mold. In this case, the affected plants will have to be destroyed so that they do not infect the rest of the marigolds. In dry summers, plants may be attacked by spider mites, which will have to be combated by spraying with infusion of onions, yarrow, and red hot pepper. But to prevent this from happening, try to increase the level of air humidity by spraying water around the marigolds several times a day.

Marigolds after flowering

As a rule, decorative marigolds are annual plants, so after flowering they are simply pulled out during autumn digging. If you want to grow marigolds next year, collect the seeds, dry them and store them until the end of March or beginning of February.

Do not throw away dried inflorescences; they will be useful to you around the house and in your home medicine cabinet. For example, if you have to work at the computer for a long time, eat 2-3 small heads of dark-colored marigolds before meals or add them to a salad.

In the photo: Dried marigolds

For roundworms or pinworms, adults need to eat 5 heads of marigolds, and children – 2-3 (depending on age), before bedtime for a week.

If you throw a bucket of wilted marigolds into compost pit, there will be no midges around her.

Place it on the windowsill and front door a bouquet of marigolds, and unexpected unkind guests will pass by your house.

And finally, we offer several recipes that may arouse interest among women:

• Lip balm(to achieve softness): mix 2 tablespoons of chopped marigold heads with 1 tablespoon of apricot oil and 1/3 cup olive oil. Leave the mixture in the dark for a week, then strain, carefully squeezing out the raw materials. Lubricate lips as needed.
• Facial lotion. Pour 2 tablespoons of crushed marigold inflorescences into a glass of boiling water and leave overnight, then strain, squeezing out the remainder, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of vodka. Store the lotion in the refrigerator. Wipe your face with the infusion three times a day.
• For inflammation or irritation of the facial skin, prickly heat, use this remedy: pour 2 tablespoons of crushed marigold heads into one and a half glasses of hot water, bring to a boil, then leave for 3-4 hours under the lid, strain by squeezing out the raw materials, pour in the juice of a large aloe leaf and 2 tablespoons spoons of water. Store the mixture in the refrigerator. Wipe the inflamed areas twice a day.

Properties of marigolds

A flower bed of marigolds is an invaluable home pharmacy: modern Scientific research confirm healing properties marigolds, known from legends and traditions, therefore growing marigolds not only gives aesthetic pleasure, but also brings real benefits to human health. Lutein, for example, which they contain, reduces the likelihood of developing cataracts.

Traditional medicine also treats diabetes mellitus and inflammation of the pancreas with marigolds. Medicinal marigolds, dried and then infused, treat stomatitis, bronchitis, asthma and colds, and cleanse the blood. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour a tablespoon of crushed flowers into a liter of boiling water, leave for three hours, then strain and drink a glass half an hour before meals for a month.

In the photo: Dried marigold inflorescences

Baths with the addition of marigold decoction have a beneficial effect on nervous system, relieve stress and anxiety, so they are recommended for depression and neuroses. In addition, the peoples of South America have long used marigolds as a seasoning, for making sauces and baked goods, and for marinades. In the markets of the Caucasus, marigolds are sold as a powder added to pilaf, satsivi and soups and called “Imereti saffron” by culinary specialists. The French, in order to satisfy the demands of their gourmets, grow marigolds on an industrial scale. Marigold leaves included in marinades give canned vegetables elasticity and a pleasant aroma.

In the photo: Dried crushed marigolds

Here is a recipe for homemade cookies that you will definitely like: beat 4 egg whites into a foam; Grind 2 tablespoons of fresh marigold petals with 100 g of sugar; rubbing 4 tablespoons butter, gradually add 4 yolks, petals with sugar, then 100 g of flour, and then carefully place the whipped whites on top and mix carefully; Place the dough on a baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden. Cut the cooled cake into squares.

Types and varieties of marigolds

There are many varieties of marigolds in cultivation, but three types of varieties are popular: erect marigolds (usually tall), deviated marigolds (short) and thin-leaved marigolds, which are less common in our latitudes than others. The varieties of these three species are very diverse: among them there are large-flowered and small-flowered marigolds, double and densely double marigolds in all shades of yellow, orange and brown.

Tagetes erecta

Or African marigolds, are giants of the genus, their height is from 30 to 100 cm. The inflorescences, as a rule, are single-colored and double, reaching 15 cm in diameter. Among the most popular varieties are Vanilla marigolds, 70 cm tall with creamy white double inflorescences 12 cm in diameter; Kilimanjaro marigolds 60-70 cm tall with densely double spherical inflorescences; Antigua marigolds, low, up to 25 cm tall, but erect, with large flowers– up to 15 cm in diameter, golden, lemon yellow, orange and bright yellow in color.

Ecology of farming: Is it worth “suffering” with seedlings or planting seeds directly into the ground? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these methods? Are there any special care requirements?

Marigolds, Chornobrivtsy, Tagetes - these are the most famous names a flower brought to us from overseas in the 16th century and which became perhaps the most beloved and unpretentious inhabitant of the garden. Its homeland is Central and South America. Today, according to various sources, there are from 30 to 50 species of marigolds. They belong to the Asteraceae, or Asteraceae, family. In addition to decorative bright colors(simple and double) and pinnately dissected leaves, Chornobrivtsy also have a specific smell, indicating a high content of phytoncides - substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body and are able to repel pests both from the flower itself and the plants surrounding it. Tagetes is widely used as a spice in Caucasian cuisine, where they are called Imeretian saffron, and also has a number of healing properties.

But how to grow this unique flower? So, marigolds: growing from seeds.

The timing of sowing marigold seedlings is determined based on two main factors:

climatic conditions of the region, namely the time when it is established temperature regime, favorable for growing these heat-loving flowers, and there is no threat of return frosts;

the desired time for the start of flowering, it should be taken into account that from sowing to the appearance of the first flowers, depending on the characteristics of the variety and growing conditions, 1.5-2.5 months pass.

The best time to sow marigolds for seedlings is the second half of March - the first ten days of April. If there is additional lighting and favorable temperatures, you can plant marigolds with seeds in January-February, but then flowering will begin in April-May, when it is too early to plant seedlings in open ground. This option is more suitable for those who are going to grow flowers in a container on glassed balcony or loggias.

Since Tagetes does not require specific conditions for growing seedlings, it can also be successfully sown in open ground. This is often done in May, when the earth warms up sufficiently and a stable air temperature is established, which at night does not fall below +5 degrees. In the southern regions, it is possible to sow marigolds in the ground at an earlier date.

In addition, when planning when to plant marigold seedlings, you should also take into account the characteristics of the species. So, in order to get a friendly flowering already in June, upright marigolds are sown in mid-March, and small-leaved and low-growing ones - a little later, in early April.

Selection and preparation of seed material

Often, marigold seeds are purchased only once, choosing the variety that appeals to you the most. In subsequent years, gardeners prefer to collect seeds from the plant themselves.

If you are interested in how to collect marigold seeds, then it must be said that it is not difficult. They ripen in about 40 days. To collect the seeds, just let a few inflorescences dry on the bush. The main thing is that there is no rain during this period, so that the seeds do not succumb to excessive moisture and rot. After the flower dries, the ripened seeds are easily removed from the calyx. They need to be dried a little more in a dark and warm place, and then stored in paper bags until spring.

Both when choosing seeds in a store and when using ones collected with your own hands, it is important to remember that fresh seeds, which are no more than 2 years old, have a high degree of germination. Although there is an opinion that seeding material no older than 4 years can be used. Today, most varieties grown in cultivation are hybrids, therefore, when using seeds collected with one’s own hands, there is a possibility that each subsequent generation will retain the properties of the maternal one to a lesser extent.

For more widespread germination, marigold seeds are sometimes germinated before sowing. In this case, they are placed on a damp natural fabric laid out on a saucer. The saucer itself is placed in a bag and sent to a dark and warm place. After three days, the seeds will hatch and you can choose the most successful ones for planting.

Features of soil for growing marigolds

Despite the fact that marigolds are considered an undemanding plant, in order to get strong seedlings it is important to choose the right planting optimal composition soil. The soil should be nutritious and loose, consisting of equal parts peat, humus or compost, turf soil and half of the sand. Also suitable for sowing are ordinary garden soil mixed with sand and peat, or a ready-made soil mixture for indoor and outdoor use. garden plants with a neutral acidity level. You should definitely lay a 3-centimeter drainage layer of expanded clay, sand or crushed stone at the bottom of the container. To prevent “black leg” when growing marigolds from seeds, the soil is first spilled with a fungicide solution or steamed.

When sowing Chernobrivtsev directly into a flowerbed, you should choose places with fertile, neutral or slightly acidic loamy soil.

Technology of sowing marigolds

When the time has come to sow marigold seedlings, all that remains is to fill plastic containers, cassettes or cups with the prepared soil and proceed directly to planting. So, how to plant marigolds with seeds.

The soil needs to be slightly compacted and moistened. At a distance of 1.5-2 cm from each other, grooves are made with a depth of 1-2 cm. Distribute the seeds evenly in them at a distance of about 1.5 cm from each other. The furrows are sprinkled with a centimeter layer of soil consisting of equal parts of garden soil and sand. It is important that the seeds are deep enough so that they are not washed out when watering. Moreover, when shallow landing sprouts are less able to shed their seed coat, which remains on the cotyledon leaves and interferes with the active development of the plant. At the same time, if the seeds are buried too deeply, they take longer to germinate or may not germinate at all.

Crops of marigold seedlings are carefully watered and germinated in a bright place at a temperature of 22-25 degrees. Additional cover is not required to maintain humidity in the container, although it is sometimes used to shorten germination time. After 3-7 days, shoots appear. Next, the seedlings are kept at a temperature of 15-18 degrees.

When planting marigolds in open ground, the seeds are sown in grooves about 5 cm deep, which are pre-watered. The crops are covered with a layer of soil, and shoots appear after two weeks. If the seedlings turn out to be too dense, they will need to be replanted. The distance between rows and individual plants is determined based on the characteristics of the plant species.

Caring for marigold seedlings

When the seedlings have sprouted, the question arises of how to grow marigold seedlings. The main aspect of caring for it is timely watering, which is done as the soil dries. It is important to ensure that the water in the container and tray does not stagnate, as this can lead to the appearance of a “black leg”. At the slightest appearance of the disease, it is necessary to remove damaged sprouts and treat the seedlings with a fungicide.

Despite the undemanding nature of marigolds, at the seedling stage, additional fertilizing with seedling fertilizers once every two weeks will not harm them. In addition, it should be remembered that fertilizers can be applied only two weeks after sowing, picking or transplanting plants, when the supply useful substances will be exhausted in the soil.

When planning when to plant marigold seedlings, you should not forget about picking. It is produced when 2-3 true carved leaves appear on the seedlings. Individual plants are transplanted into cups, cassettes or planted in trays according to a 7x7 pattern. Seedlings can be buried down to the cotyledons, but so that the latter do not touch the soil. This contributes to the formation of a more powerful root system, since additional roots develop on the deeper stem. Picking activates the growth of seedlings, due to an increase in the volume of soil occupied by an individual plant, and after 2-3 weeks it has a developed fibrous root system and is ready for planting permanent place. Marigolds tolerate transplantation well even during the flowering period. Most strong seedlings obtained by growing seedlings in greenhouses and greenhouses.

Marigolds, the cultivation of which from seeds is a simple procedure even for beginners, will be an excellent decoration for the garden. Their flowers will delight the eye all summer long bright colors, but will also be an excellent addition to your home first aid kit.

Marigolds are bright sunny flowers that adorn many gardens in abundance. Unpretentious and diverse, with a whole arsenal of useful and even healing properties, they are traditionally perhaps the most popular garden flowers throughout our country. And at the same time, many novice gardeners are wondering: how to grow marigolds in order to get lush bushes with a lot of elegant inflorescences.

Planting marigolds in open ground

1. Planting dates.
As you know, marigolds can be grown by seedlings and from seeds in open ground. At the same time, the timing of planting marigolds in a permanent place is approximately the same in both cases. When is the best time to plant marigolds?

Planting of Chornobrivts seedlings, as well as sowing their seeds in open ground, is carried out in late May - early June, when a stable air temperature has established and there are no longer night frosts. In the southern regions, and also if it is possible to create a protective cover from film or agrofibre, marigolds can be planted in April.

2. Site selection and soil preparation.
Before planting marigolds, it is important to choose a suitable place for them and prepare it for planting. It is worth noting that despite their unpretentiousness, they grow best on loamy soils with a neutral acidity level. The main thing is that the soil is loose and breathable. The most abundant flowering occurs in areas with good lighting, although in partial shade the Chernobrivets also feel good, they just bloom less.

A week or two before the time comes to plant marigolds in a permanent place in the garden, they need to be gradually accustomed to fresh air, daily increasing the period of stay of containers with seedlings on the street or open balcony.

The area for planting should be dug up using a spade. For better development of marigolds, you can enrich the soil mineral fertilizers(nitroammofoska, for example), evenly distributing them over the flower bed at the rate of 30 g per 1 square meter. and embedded in the ground by repeated digging. But it is undesirable to apply organic and nitrogen fertilizers, since they stimulate the growth of green mass at the expense of flowering.

3. How to plant marigolds.
Perennial marigolds, the planting and care of which, despite the characteristics of individual varieties, are not very difficult, are planted in prepared holes. The seedling planting scheme depends on the characteristics of the variety and is usually indicated on the seed packaging. For low-growing marigolds, the optimal pattern is 20x20 cm, for medium-sized ones (for example, some varieties of thin-leaved marigolds) - 30x30 cm, for tall ones - 40x40 cm. The depth of planting marigolds in the ground is 1-2 cm more than they were buried before replanting. The space around the roots is carefully filled with soil. The soil is lightly compacted and watered. It is worth recalling that marigolds are not afraid of watering from above over the leaves and rain.

Features of caring for Chernobrivtsy

Having figured out how to plant marigolds, you should not forget about further care behind them throughout the season. Although marigolds do not require special growing conditions, basic care for them will be more than rewarded in the form of bright and large flowers.

The main components of caring for Chernobrivts are watering, loosening the soil and removing weeds, fertilizing and pest control.

During the growth period, marigolds require regular watering. But with the beginning of flowering, the number of waterings is reduced to two per week in order to avoid stagnation of water and the appearance of rot. In hot, dry weather, evening watering will significantly prolong the flowering and growing season of marigolds. Although flowers are considered drought-resistant, under the influence high temperatures and lack of moisture, they are more susceptible to spider mites, and they simply fade and wither faster. In the case of growing Chernobrivtsev in containers, watering in hot weather is carried out twice a day.

The question is “how to grow marigolds and do they need mandatory regular feeding?” often worries novice gardeners. In fact, Tagetes develop and bloom well even without additional stimulation with fertilizers, especially if you fill the soil with minerals before planting. But nutrient deficiency in poor soils reduces the duration of flowering and the size of the inflorescences.

Feeding marigolds is usually carried out 2-3 times per season: when the plants reach a height of 10 cm, during the appearance of the first buds and at the very beginning of flowering. Potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are used for feeding. It is important to avoid excess nitrogen in the soil as this will encourage vigorous leaf and stem development but will reduce flowering. Marigolds, which are grown in conditions of limited soil, need to be fertilized once every 10-14 days.

In addition to watering and fertilizing, marigold flowers after planting require regular loosening of the soil and removal of weeds, since oxygen access to the roots is necessary for the full development of the plant. It also doesn’t hurt to remove faded inflorescences. This will stimulate the plant to continue flowering.

Growing marigolds and, in particular, caring for them is usually not difficult, also because the plant practically does not suffer from pests and diseases. The reason for this is phytoncides contained in plants and manifested due to a specific odor. It is this smell, as well as substances released from the roots, that often repel pests not only from marigolds, but also protect neighboring plants.

However, under unfavorable conditions, Chernobrivtsy can be affected by gray rot, black leg and bacterial diseases. Often the factors accompanying the disease are excessive thickening and high soil moisture. If rot occurs, the affected parts of the plant, or even the entire bush, should be removed.

The most common pests for marigolds are snails and slugs, which live in damp places, and spider mites. It is recommended to fight slugs with bleach, placing jars of it between the bushes. The best prevention spider mite considered maintenance optimal level humidity, but if such a problem has arisen, then you can eliminate it with the help of an infusion of yarrow, onion and red hot pepper. When growing marigolds, it is worth remembering that they do not like to be treated with chemicals.

At the end of flowering, when the seeds have already been collected and the bushes are dry, the plants are removed from the site. They are often sent to a compost pit to prevent pests from breeding there.

It is important to take into account the characteristics of a particular variety in the agricultural technology of marigolds. So, for example, Antigua marigolds are grown on nutritious soils for forming borders and in containers, but they are not suitable for decorating ponds. At the same time, the Taishan marigold variety is less whimsical; it is used to fill gaps between other plants.

So, marigolds are perennial: planting and care is a question that worries many gardeners who are fans of these sunny flowers. Today's most popular decorative varieties marigolds are grown from seeds in an annual crop, but there are also perennial species plants used in medicine and cooking. Marigolds in the garden are not only decoration and protection of less resistant plants from fungi and pests, but also a real boon in terms of traditional medicine, since they have a wide range of healing properties. That is why many people strive to collect and dry bright inflorescences, and after flowering they collect marigold seeds in order to fill the garden with them again next year. published

The agricultural technology of marigolds is so simple that even a novice gardener can handle it. Flowers are unpretentious, so you will almost always get the expected result. You can plant flowers by sowing seeds directly into the ground, or you can pre-grow them. What is the difference between these two methods and what are the advantages of each, we will explain further.

Growing marigolds through seedlings

One of the most reliable ways to decorate your garden lush bushes- growing seedlings. Then you can plant them on the site in the planned quantity.

The best time to sow seeds for seedlings

Marigolds are not particularly demanding on conditions environment, so the time for disembarkation is selected mainly according to the time when it is necessary to receive flowering bushes. They can be sown for seedlings even early.

Important! There are many varieties of marigolds, and many of them have different time preparation for flowering. So, upright marigolds require more time to grow, while small-leaved and low-growing marigolds require less. Accordingly, there are different planting dates for marigolds. If the first ones are planted in mid-March, and the rest in early April, then by June they will bloom together.

The seedling method helps to obtain earlier flowering. By planting seeds in seedling boxes or separate pots, you will receive planting material within a month or a month and a half, and another month after planting in open ground, you will receive flowering plants.

Soil mixture composition

The plant is undemanding and to, but for seedlings it is still worth providing suitable soil so that she grows strong and vital. To do this, prepare a mixture of equal parts of turf, and additionally add half of the sand to it.
It must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate or. After this, you can enter anything except fresh manure. Then about three centimeters of drainage are poured into the seedling box: expanded clay, sand, crushed stone.

How to prepare and plant seeds correctly

Seeds can be planted unprepared, but some gardeners still prefer to germinate them in advance. To do this, they are soaked in water at room temperature for 10 minutes, and then placed in a flat saucer, covered with a damp cloth, and wrapped plastic film. The saucer is put in a warm place.

Often experienced flower growers It is practiced to plant marigolds using sprouted seeds. To do this, they need to be laid out on a plate and covered with a damp cloth, then wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in a warm place. As a rule, three days are enough for them to germinate.

Did you know? Today, science has confirmed the healing properties of marigolds, which were known to our ancestors. For example, they contain a lot of lutein, which is an excellent preventative against cataracts. Traditional healers used marigolds to treat inflammation of the pancreas and diabetes mellitus. The tincture treats colds, bronchitis, asthma, stomatitis, and cleanses the blood.

There are two ways to plant seeds. The most common is sowing into pre-prepared furrows. Make them at a distance of 1.5 - 2 cm from each other and pour out the seeds. If they have not been pre-sprouted, it is convenient to take a sheet of paper folded in half, place the seeds on it and pour through the fold.
If planting is carried out with germinated seeds, it is better to use pots with a diameter of no more than 4 cm. One or two grains are placed in them. You can also plant in boxes, maintaining a distance between the seeding material of 2 x 2 cm. The seeds are sprinkled with soil and the planting site is sprayed with a spray bottle.

Conditions for seed germination

For the seeds to germinate, the box with the planted in it planting material must be placed in a lighted place. The ambient temperature should be 22 – 25°C. Then the first shoots will appear within five days. When they appear, the air temperature can be reduced to 18 – 20°C.

Caring for marigold seedlings

So, after the first shoots appear, the boxes with seedlings are removed to a cooler, but no less illuminated place. Next, the question arises: is it necessary to pick marigolds? Many gardeners recommend carrying out this procedure after a couple of true leaves appear on the sprouts. Then it should be seated at a distance of 7x7 cm. This will ensure better lighting, and therefore the sprouts will not stretch too much.

Important! Marigolds tolerate not only diving, but also transplanting without consequences. Moreover, they can be replanted even during flowering.

Caring for seedlings is not difficult. It must be regularly watered with settled water, maintain a temperature of about 20 ° C and periodically ventilate.
While the sprouts are small and fragile, it is advisable to water them with a spray bottle so that the water does not erode the soil near the roots.
Two weeks after the dive, you can plant marigolds in the open ground at the dacha.

Planting marigold seedlings in open ground

Marigolds easily tolerate transplants, but this process still requires compliance with some rules.

When to plant seedlings

It is advisable to plant flowers in a permanent place at the end, when the threat of frost on the ground has passed. After all, this is a plant that came from warm regions, so it does not survive frosts well. Make sure that each planted seedling has at least three leaves and a strong root system.

Important! Most of the varieties of marigolds that are used in gardens today are. This means that if such marigolds are propagated by seeds, they can be very different from the mother plant. But far from it the worst side. Sometimes you can get amazingly beautiful specimens.

Choosing a landing site

When choosing where to plant marigold seedlings, stop in a well-lit place. They will be able to grow both in partial shade and in the shade, but there the marigolds will not be so lush and bright.

Same with the soil. It can be any, but on neutral loams with good level Fertility they will be thick and give abundant flowering. In the first half of summer, the soil must be well watered, and if it is infertile, then during the summer it must be fertilized two to three times.

How to plant marigold seedlings on the site

Having taken up the cultivation of marigolds, it is important to know not only how to grow seedlings, but also how to properly plant them in open ground. The planting pattern for marigolds depends on which varieties are planted in the garden. Thus, low-growing varieties are planted at a distance of 20 cm from each other, medium-growing ones - 30 cm, and tall varieties - 40 x 40 cm.

Plant one plant per hole. As a rule, after diving, seedlings quickly grow stronger and form a powerful root system. Therefore, when planted in open ground, the plant takes root quickly. It is only important to water the seedlings well and continue to water them abundantly until they get stronger. In general, marigolds can withstand drought, but the bushes grow short, sparse, puny, producing small inflorescences.

Growing marigolds from seeds in open ground

Sowing marigolds in open ground should be done only with fresh seeds. They retain germination for up to two years, but fresh ones have greater germination. Pre-sprouted seeds provide good sowing density. To do this, they are soaked in water at room temperature for a couple of days. But dry sowing is also allowed.

Did you know? IN South America local population Since ancient times, marigolds have been used as a seasoning. In the Caucasus, they are added to baked goods, marinades, and used to prepare sauces, soups, and main courses. They even received the second name “Imereti saffron”. In France, they are grown on an industrial scale specifically for the purpose of being used in cooking.

When to sow seeds in the ground

Marigolds, when grown from seeds in open ground, are sown in May, when there is confidence that there will be no more frosts on the ground. In the northern regions, after sowing, it is recommended to cover the area for two weeks. non-woven material to protect crops from frost. The first shoots should appear in a couple of weeks.

Preparing and planting marigold seeds in the ground

Flower growers who know everything about marigolds recommend sowing sprouted seeds. We talked about how to do this above when we talked about preparing seeds for sowing seedlings. If the decision is made to sow them dry in open ground, furrows are made in the selected area approximately 5 cm deep. The trench is moistened with water and seeds are poured into it at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Then the furrow is sprinkled with soil or peat and watered again.

Seedling care

The speed of germination depends on environmental conditions. Flowers will germinate faster in warm regions than in cold regions. But in any case, when 2-3 true leaves are formed on the sprouts, the seedlings need to be thinned out or it is possible to pick out the excess sprouts. There should be a distance of about 20 cm between plants, and if we're talking about for tall plants, then all 40 cm.
The seedlings must be watered regularly, preventing the soil from drying out. While the sprouts are weak, they require regular weeding.

How to care for marigolds during cultivation

Now we should dwell in more detail on how to care for marigolds growing in the garden.

How to water

Caring for marigolds involves regular watering. However, it is important that the moisture in the soil does not stagnate, otherwise the plants begin to rot due to lack of air access to the roots. Before flowering, it is recommended to reduce watering slightly - excess moisture leads to rotting of inflorescences. If this happens, the damaged baskets must be immediately cut off and destroyed outside the site.

Weeding and loosening of rows

A flowerbed with marigolds should be loosened regularly, since the roots of these flowers love air. During loosening, be sure to weed, especially when the sprouts are young and fragile. Over time, they themselves will drown out some of them, but loosening the soil must be carried out constantly.

How to fertilize

As already mentioned, marigolds are not picky about the soil and do not require special fertilizing. However, additional nutrients have a positive effect on their growth and appearance. If the flowers are planted on sandy or poor soil, fertilizing is more important.
The first feeding can be done when the flowers reach 10 cm in height, the second when the buds are forming, and the third right before flowering. For this, complex fertilizers are used. You can add dried or mowed weeds, rotted weeds and other organic matter except fresh manure.

Pruning inflorescences

Few people know, but in order for marigolds to bloom better and more densely, faded inflorescences should be removed. You can also periodically prune bushes, especially tall varieties. This will help form lush bushes.

Combination of marigolds with other plants

Marigolds are actively used when planting carpet flower beds. In this case, they look great in company with and similar plants. Chernobriv residents are saving a young garden, which still has many areas that are not planted. They are planted in place of faded bulbous plants or places where other plants overwintered.

These flowers look great in flower beds and flower beds, where there are not enough bright and catchy flowers. These could be landing sites coniferous plants with dove or blue color, purple or bright blue asters.
They are played in flower beds and various varieties marigolds. So, for example, in the middle of a flower bed with Venidium, large-flowered Chernobrivts are planted. If the flower garden is formed from medium-sized plants (,), then medium-sized varieties are used. Low-growing marigolds are planted along the edge of flower beds along with, for framing.

Collection and storage of marigold seeds

Typically, decorative varieties of marigolds are annual plants; accordingly, in the fall the bushes are removed from the beds. But if you want to get the same flowers next year, you need to collect seeds from them.

Did you know? Do not rush to throw away marigold bushes after uprooting. If you add them to your compost bin, you will repel midges from it. One bucket of faded Chernobrivtsev is enough to get rid of the annoying ones.

Marigolds have two types of inflorescences: female and bisexual. The first ones have petals located on the periphery; these are the so-called velvet flowers. In the second, they are located around the center of the flower. It is the bisexuals that produce more seeds, since they pollinate themselves. But terryness and velvetiness are transmitted only through female inflorescences. Therefore, for decorative flowers, it is advisable to collect seeds from female flowers.

At least 40 days pass from the moment the flower blooms to the formation of full-fledged seeds. You can remove them when the inflorescences turn yellow and completely dry, and the stems turn brown. After carefully cutting off the inflorescence, the seeds are poured into cardboard box or paper bag so that they do not deteriorate during storage.

Important! Seeds can ripen fully only in sunny weather. It is also recommended to collect them only in dry and warm times.

If the summer is damp or the humid days are prolonged, it is not recommended to leave the seeds to ripen in such conditions, otherwise they will become damp and rot. To prevent this from happening, in the coming sundial the inflorescences are cut along with the stems, tied into bunches and hung to dry in a dry and ventilated place.
The bunches are placed with their heads down, and paper is spread underneath them. As they dry, the seeds will fall onto a paper sheet, from which they can then be easily collected. They will be no different from those collected in the usual way.

How to store marigold seeds? They are placed in a paper bag and kept in a dry, dark place. On average, seeds remain viable for up to two years, but sometimes they can germinate after four years.

Marigold resistance to diseases and pests

Marigolds are known for their resistance to fungal diseases. Specific substances, phytoncides, which give them a special aroma, protect the flower from harmful fungi. Moreover, the plant is able to protect other plants from them, so marigolds are often planted for prevention next to crops that are susceptible to similar diseases,
Sometimes, in a damp summer, gray rot may appear on the leaves and stems of the plant. Then the affected bushes must be removed and destroyed outside the site. In conditions high humidity marigold bushes can attack and growing marigolds in your garden is simple and always profitable. In 99% of cases, your efforts and costs will be fully justified, since these are unpretentious and very spectacular flowers. With their bright blooms and unusual flower shapes, they will enliven any corner of the garden. Depending on the variety, you can choose tall, medium-sized or low-growing plants. They are little susceptible to diseases, and in addition serve as excellent disease prevention for other plants.

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Hello, friends!

Today I want to tell you about the wonderful marigold flowers, about planting and caring for them in the open ground, and of course there are a lot of photos of these beautiful flowers. Marigolds are very popular because of their bright beauty and unpretentiousness. And also because of its specific strong odor. Which repels many garden pests.

Growing marigolds in open ground

Varieties of marigolds:

How to grow marigolds from seeds

• grow seedlings
• sowing in open ground
• landing, choosing a seat
• summer care
• seed collection

Growing seedlings

You can buy marigold seeds once - choose the types you like - and then collect your own seeds. They sprout well later.

In order for marigolds to begin to bloom earlier - in June, they are grown through seedlings. Usually they grow quickly and I sow them in early to mid-April, and in the second half of May I plant them in a permanent place. It should be planted after all night frosts have passed. Marigolds do not like frost, especially young plants.

We plant seedlings with good roots and three to four good leaves.

You can grow marigolds in boxes - they grow well, but you will have to water more often.

Sowing marigolds in open ground

If it is not possible to grow flower seedlings at home, then sow them with seeds directly into the ground. It is advisable to do this in mid-to-late May so that young seedlings do not get frostbitten. The flowers will be late for a couple of weeks, but they will still delight you until autumn.

Marigolds in a box will decorate any place

Choosing a landing site

Marigolds do not like to grow in shade and damp places. Plant them in the sun and they will delight you with their bright flowers. It’s good to make borders out of them and plant them along the beds. In the garden, I constantly make rows of marigolds near cabbage, potatoes, and berries - they not only repel various pests, but also decorate the garden with bright colors until autumn.

After planting, young plants are regularly watered, and as adults they can easily tolerate drought.

It is better not to thicken marigold plantings; they love good ventilation. Therefore, planting in rows and along the edges of flower beds is the most The best decision. High grades placed at a distance of about 40 cm, low ones closer to each other.

Flower care

These are the most unpretentious flowers - only calendula is simpler than them. You can safely come to your dacha only on weekends and water them once a week - the marigolds will greet you with flowers. They can withstand two weeks without watering.

For beautiful flowering do not leave old inflorescences, but break them out after wilting.

To make marigolds bloom into beautiful bushes, pinch the tops of their heads; side shoots from the leaf axils will begin to actively grow.

Marigolds in a flowerbed

Marigolds tolerate transplantation well at any age. You can plant already flowering bushes in any other place, or in the fall place them in a pot with a lump of earth - they will delight you with their flowering at home. But it’s better to place them on a loggia or other cool place. They will be hot at home after going outside.