When to sow marigolds for seedlings: basic rules for growing and caring

Marigolds, or scientifically “tagetes”, are very loved by many gardeners. They are unpretentious, prevent the spread of fungi in the soil and are good at repelling harmful insects due to their pungent aroma. So, if you plant tagetes over strawberries, you can get rid of the weevil, and over cabbage, you can get rid of the white weevil. If there are asters nearby, then they are not afraid of fusarium, and clematics and phlox can be protected from nematodes.

The collected flowers also have benefits - they are used as a spice and medicinal crop. Now there are many varieties of marigolds (another name for a flower), which have different shapes and colors from brown-red to lemon, so anyone can find their ideal option. Another plus is the bright flowering from May to October. By combining a plant with others, even a beginner can create a real masterpiece in the flowerbed.

Calculation of days suitable for planting

To select the most favorable timing for planting marigold seedlings, you need to take into account several factors: the weather and climatic conditions of the region, the plant variety and the lunar calendar.

Effect of variety

Different varieties of Chernobrivtsev (another name for the flower) develop differently. The difference in the appearance of seedlings may be more or less by 5-7 days; the time when to sow marigolds for seedlings will depend on this.

• Tall varieties grow more slowly, their flowering occurs later, which means they can only be sown by seedlings.
• Low-growing varieties are not afraid of open ground. In the south they can be sown as early as April, and in regions with a cool climate - throughout May.
• Thin-leaved varieties. If you grow them through seedlings, development will proceed rapidly and the buds will set early. This variety will be ready for planting 7-10 days later than low-growing varieties, that is, in the last days of April - early May.

To ensure that marigolds delight you with their flowering from May to September-October, start seed planting in February with slow-growing varieties and continue re-seeding until April.

Influence of growing region

In general, marigolds grow quickly; 40-50 days pass from germination to flowering. We add about another week to these periods for the emergence of seedlings. This means that the best age for planting in open ground is 1.5-2 months.

In different regions, due to climate conditions, pick-up and drop-off times will vary. So in the central zone, which includes the Moscow region, it is better to start seed planting at the end of March or at the beginning of April. It is warmer in the South, so you can safely sow marigolds already in March, but in cold regions, such as the Leningrad region, Siberia and the Urals, you should wait until the end of April.

And one more important point! Mexican marigolds are the most heat-loving of the entire family; they bloom only where there is a lot of sun. Therefore, gardeners in the northern and central regions will have to choose other varieties.

Marigold thin-leaved Mexican

Favorable days according to the lunar calendar

The landing calendar is based on the position of the Moon on each day of the year. It is good to sow annual plants when the Moon is under the signs of Pisces, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio. This year the favorable days will be:

• in January: 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 23, 24, 28 and 29;
• in February: 2, 3, 6, 7, 24 and 25;
• in March: 2, 3, 27, 28, 30 and 31;
• in April: 1, 2, 6, 7, 28 and 29;
• in May: 3, 6, 25, 26 and 30.

Should be avoided:

• in January: 10, from 25 to 27;
• in February: 9, 10, 22, 23;
• in March: 7, 8, 9 and from 24 to 26;
• in April: 8, 21, 22, 23;
• in May: 7 and 22.

If you choose the first week for sowing, from new moon to full moon, the inflorescences will be more lush.

Competent transplant

The main rule of replanting is observing the temperature and weather conditions, since marigolds are whimsical during this period as they come from warm countries. Each bush is examined for the presence of a well-developed rhizome and the presence of three leaves or more.

Many of the modern varieties of this plant used are hybrids, this greatly influences the subsequent collection of seeds and propagation in this way. Subsequent generations may differ from the mother plant.

Important conditions for the growth of Chernobrivets

Requirements, the fulfillment of which will allow you to obtain the best plant samples:

• The place should be well lit; partial shade or complete shade will limit the splendor of the plants and the brightness of the petals.
• Neutral loams are the best soil option for marigolds.
• Regular watering of flowers is needed in the first half of summer.
• Fertilizers are added approximately once a month throughout the summer.

How to properly relocate to a site?

1. Follow the chart for the height of varieties and maintain distance between specimens.
2. One plant occupies a single hole.
3. Immediately after planting, seedlings need abundant watering.
4. The duration of watering is until the stem strengthens and the marigolds take root.

Features of the plant and popular varieties

Tagetes (marigolds, marigolds and other names) belongs to the Asteraceae family and, depending on the species, can be annual or perennial. The bush can grow from 20 centimeters to almost one and a half meters in height. The foliage can be openwork and pinnate, the inflorescences-baskets can be simple or double, in color from yellow to brown with darker or lighter inclusions. Reproduction occurs through seeds and one fruit can contain from 500 to 700 grains. In nature, there are more than twenty species of marigolds, but only 4 have been cultivated, which are also divided into varieties.

Erect

Such marigolds are also called African marigolds. Almost always, the flowers of this species are single-colored, double and reach from 10 to 15 centimeters in diameter. The maximum plant grows up to a meter in height. This tagetes has several subspecies:

• variety Vanilla, with creamy white flowers with a diameter of 12 cm and a height of 70 cm;
• Kilimanjaro, or densely double marigolds, which also grow up to 70 centimeters in height;
• Antigua are the smallest of this species in height, only 35 centimeters. The inflorescences of the variety are large, lemon yellow or orange, 13-15 cm in diameter.

Marigold erecta (Vanilla)

Thin-leaved

This type of marigold began to be cultivated at the end of the 18th century, and now there are up to 70 varieties. This species differs from its relatives in its openwork-shaped leaves and delicate, subtle odor. Its inflorescences are small but numerous. The height of the bush is 35-40 centimeters. The root system of the species is well developed, which helps the plant easily survive the winter. This species produces red-orange, golden-orange and golden-yellow inflorescences. Popular varieties are Golden Jam, Lulu, Paprika and Gnome.

Marigold thin-leaved (Gnome)

Dwarf varieties

These kids came to us from the United States of America. They are also called border or Turkish carnations. Among the most popular varieties:

• Orange is a hybrid variety that grows up to 25-30 cm and blooms with bright orange large inflorescences;
• Eye of the Tiger. These are balls up to 7 centimeters in diameter, light orange in color with double flowers.
• Petite is one of the most colorful varieties: it can be from orange to light red.

Gabi lemon flowers and Bolero marigolds are also in demand among gardeners.

Dwarf marigold (Tiger's eye)

Low-growing varieties or Rejected

This plant, 50 to 60 centimeters high, is also called French. The inflorescences are usually spreading, up to 8 centimeters in diameter, and can be either double or smooth. Blooms for a long time with a large number of inflorescences. The most popular variety of this species is Bonanza, whose height does not exceed 30 cm.

Low growing marigold (Bonanza)

Types of flowers

Gardeners are familiar with 60 types of flowers. There are only three most popular:

1. Erect flowers.
2. Rejected types.
3. Thin-leaved species. The variety of flowers is regular, semi-double and double.

Marigolds, called erect bushes, look powerful in appearance, it is a highly branched plant, reaches a height of 100 cm, with a strong root system. Erect varieties bloom profusely and have a dense terry of large inflorescences. Various colors - cream, lemon, bright orange.

Marigolds of the rejected variety are compact, highly branched, spreading and leafy plants, no higher than 40 cm in height. Single yellow or orange inflorescences are located on the upper stems, on the branches. The baskets are different: carnation-shaped, chrysanthemum-shaped, transitional types. Rejected varieties are considered the most unpretentious; they are planted in any soil, abundant flowering occurs even if they are not fertilized.

The soil should be well moistened, the temperature maintained at 22-25°C in order for growth to occur, and it must be protected from cold winds. You need to care for flower bushes evenly, without kinks. Fertilize once every 30 days, otherwise the bushes increase in growth and do not bloom.

The flowers grow thin-leaved - the variety is graceful in shape with small, strongly dissected leaves. A huge number of small, non-double inflorescences with a diameter of 2–3 cm. The baskets have a variety of colors - yellow, orange, red. The beginning of abundant flowering is observed earlier than in other varieties. The buds of young flowers grow at the tips of the branches, and the flowers that have already bloomed and dried remain inside, this creates a neat appearance for the plants.

Marigolds grow quickly and are easy to care for. Abundant and long-lasting flowering is enjoyed by brightly colored inflorescences. Low-growing species are planted in pots on balconies, and they are also used for vertical gardening of windows. Tall varieties are suitable for cutting. Flower bouquets are made from them.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mHijh7Po9Fw

Step-by-step instructions for sowing

Marigolds are unpretentious plants, so even a novice gardener can cope with their cultivation. To get a healthy plant that will bloom for a long time, you need to follow a number of rules.

Selection of capacity

You can choose one of the options as a container for sowing:

• in a container. These can be special boxes, plastic cassettes, cups or containers.
• in the snail. This structure is not difficult to build. Below we will discuss this method in more detail.
• sowing in boiling water. For this method we need a container with a lid.

Tagetes seeds are quite large, so it will be more convenient to sow them in an individual container with a volume of about 0.5 liters. Here preference should be given to peat pots or tablets, plastic cups, and even better - cassettes. Having planted the marigolds in a common box or bowl, they will need to be picked. The seedlings will survive this procedure just fine.

There are no strict rules when choosing a container, so choose what seems more convenient for you.

Seed selection

Marigold seeds can be purchased at the store or collected yourself.

When buying seeds, pay attention to the reliability of the manufacturer and a trusted store. You should not buy the cheapest material, as it may be of poor quality. The packaging must not be damaged. The pack should contain recommendations on the timing of planting, planting in the ground, information about the plant and contacts of the manufacturer.

Collecting the seeds yourself is not difficult. Exceptions are hybrid varieties (they are marked F1 on the packages). Harvesting should be done after flowering, when the flower stalks turn yellow, but before frost sets in. The weather during collection should be dry. Flowers should be carefully collected, seeds removed, and dried on paper at room temperature. Then the material should be wrapped in cloth or paper and stored in a dry and dark place. Such seeds will remain viable for up to 2-3 years.

If several varieties were planted in the flowerbed from which you are harvesting, your seeds will acquire mixed properties. Future flowers may differ from those from which the material was collected. This happens due to cross pollination.

Seed preparation

Marigold seeds will germinate perfectly without any special preparation. But to get 100% germination, you can soak the seeds in a solution that will stimulate growth. Such drugs include, for example, “Zircon” or “Epin-Extra”. The packages of these products contain detailed instructions on how to make the solution and soak the material.

Germination can also be used as pre-sowing preparation.

In order for the seeds to sprout, they need to be placed on a cotton cloth, then wet it, cover with another piece of cloth, wrap in a bag and leave in a warm place for 2-3 days. Cotton pads are also suitable for germination.

You can also soak the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

All these preparatory procedures are not necessary, but will help you get more resilient plants with lush flowering.

Soil preparation

Although Tagetes is unpretentious, it still has some soil preferences. They should be taken into account for better development and growth.

The soil should be loose, breathable, light and sufficiently fertilized. Suitable for planting is universal soil for flower seedlings. But you can prepare it yourself. Ideal mixture recipe:

• 1 part clean river sand;
• 1 part humus or compost;
• 2 parts peat.

You can add soil from the garden (2 parts) to the soil mixture, but then the peat will need to be reduced to 1 part.

Before planting, any mixture should be additionally treated with fungicides. The container for planting can be treated with the same substances. This will also help avoid blackleg.

You can buy Fitosporin, Maxim and other products in the store, dilute them and use them according to the instructions.

Calcination of the soil also shows excellent results. The sifted soil can be steamed in a double boiler for 60 minutes or in the oven.

After any soil treatment, you will need to wait 14-21 days and only then begin planting.

Direct sowing

Let's look at sowing marigolds for seedlings step by step.

1. It is necessary to place drainage material at the bottom of the selected container. These can be small stones, perlite, ground brick or expanded clay. The layer should be about 1.5 cm. If you use peat tablets or pots, drainage is not needed.
2. Fill the container with soil, leaving a small distance between the soil and the edges of the container.
3. Moisten the soil generously. The easiest way to do this is with a spray bottle. Use warm, clean, settled water. No need to use tap water!
4. Then arrange the seeds. This can be done either with your hands or with tweezers. They need to be laid horizontally. Do not stick seeds into the ground under any circumstances! If the containers are individual, distribute one seed into each. If the drawer is shared, make grooves (you can use a regular ruler) no more than a centimeter deep. Leave 2 cm between the grooves. We leave the same distance between the seeds. You can ignore this rule, and then make a pick, which the plants will tolerate well.
5. Cover the crops with soil. Do not overdo it, the layer should be no more than 1 cm. And then lightly press, but do not compact. It is better to make the top layer of soil from a mixture of sand and soil in equal proportions. To avoid blackleg, a disease to which marigolds are susceptible, it is worth mixing a little wood ash into the sand and soil.
6. Water the crops again. Only a spray bottle is suitable here so as not to damage the seeds. Here, too, it is important not to overdo it, so as not to compact the soil too much.
7. Make a greenhouse. Marigold seeds love warmth and humidity. To give them the necessary conditions, cover the container with glass, film or a lid.
8. Label your seedlings. Indicate the variety, name of the flower, date of sowing.

Place the container in a warm, bright place where the temperature is not lower than 20-22 degrees and there are no drafts.

Sowing work

Step-by-step instructions for planting seeds:

1. At the bottom of the container intended for planting, lay a 2-3 cm drainage layer of gravel, broken brick, or expanded clay.
2. Fill the containers with the prepared moistened soil and mixture, compacting it well.
3. Make grooves 1 cm deep at intervals of 3-4 cm.
4. Place planting material evenly along the grooves. This is conveniently done using a small sheet of paper folded in half. If there are only a small number of seeds, they can be spread out using tweezers. When sowing more than 1 variety, it is important not to forget about the labels on which to indicate the names of the plants.
5. Sprinkle the seeds with a 1 cm layer of soil substrate. If the thickness is less, the shell will remain on the cotyledon leaves during germination. The seedlings will not be able to get rid of the skin, which will make their further development difficult.
6. Moisten the crops, do this with caution using a spray bottle so that the soil does not wash out and the seeds do not end up on the surface.
7. Cover the container with film or glass and send it to a bright place, the temperature of which is within +15-20°C.

Upon completion of planting work, sign the seedlings, indicating the variety, name of the flower and date of sowing.

How to get early flowering

If you correctly calculate the timing of sowing, marigolds will bloom when you planned. To make flowers delight you already in May, you should plant them in January or early February. In order for the seedlings to grow faster, you can provide additional light with a phyto-lamp. It is worth considering that the flowering of these marigolds will not last long, so it is worth germinating the seeds in April-March. When planting in open ground in the northern regions, you should think about additional shelter. In order for the plant to bloom in May in Siberia or the Urals, they should be kept on the terrace, veranda or balcony until this time, and taken into the warmth at night. In order for May flowering to last longer, faded buds should be removed so that the plant does not waste its energy on forming seeds.

Description of the velvet

These plants are famous for their low maintenance and ease of cultivation. Flowering begins with the onset of summer and lasts until late autumn.

marigold flowers photo

You can see how these flowers grow in their natural environment in the countries of South America. Chernobrivtsevs are also bred in Mexico, Chile, passionate Brazil, mysterious Morocco, Belgium and many other countries, where their flowers were used not only for medicinal purposes, but also in cooking.

• As a seasoning for meat dishes, marigolds help reduce stress on the body.
• Using the plant for decorative purposes allows you to decorate your garden plot with large, beautiful flowers.

Velvet is a flower that has evenly erect branched stems that form a small bush with a height of 20 to 120 cm. The leaves can be pinnately dissected or pinnately divided.
There are whole or jagged leaves, the color of which varies from light green to a darkening emerald hue. They can be located opposite each other or alternately. You can find simple or double flowers of yellow, orange and brick-brown shades collected in baskets. The flower is medium in size, has a cylindrical cover, which includes leaves fused together. Along the edges there are reed female flowers. The linear achenes taper slightly towards the base and have a black or black-brown fruit. Marigold seeds can be planted no more than 4 years after their collection; subsequently, the seed loses its ability to grow. Owners of this plant can enjoy an unusual aroma somewhat reminiscent of the smell of a garden aster.

Interesting! In addition, it is worth noting that these flowers can kill bacteria, microfungi and pests living in the soil. Insects such as aphids, the hated Colorado potato beetles, nematodes, wireworms and ground-burrowing weevils will never attack your garden if black-brown beetles grow in it.

Sow marigolds in a snail

The easiest way to make a snail from regular toilet paper.

1. We apply three layers one on top of the other with a slight indentation;
2. Wet the paper generously;
3. Sow the seeds vertically using tweezers;
4. Roll the paper;
5. Wrap in plastic;
6. Transfer to a dark place.

After the shoots appear, unroll the roll, water it and sprinkle it with soil. Then we wrap the snail in a bag and leave it on the windowsill. It is better to sow marigolds in this way at the end of March - April. In a week the sprouts will be ready for transplanting.

Care

After emergence of seedlings (3-7 days), the covering material must be removed and the ambient temperature reduced to 18 degrees Celsius. It is necessary to ventilate the seedlings daily, since now the black leg is especially dangerous for sowing. At this stage, you need to use drip irrigation using a syringe. It is important to constantly check the soil moisture; the soil should not be dry. It is best to place marigolds on the east or south side on a windowsill. There is no need to pinch the plant. After 7-10 days you need to make a pick and plant the seedlings.

How and when to dive

Seedlings need to be picked when the first three or four leaves appear. After thinning, there should be 5-7 cm between plants, the foliage should not touch. For the procedure, you can use a regular seedling box. The soil is the same as for sowing, but it does not need to be sifted. Complex mineral fertilizer (1 tablespoon per 5 liters) and wood ash (half a cup for the same volume) should be added to the soil. After the procedure, carefully water and do this regularly in the future.

It is necessary to deepen the seedlings by 10 mm; if the roots are too long, you can shorten them a little.

Hardening

2 weeks before transplanting into open ground, it is worth hardening off the plant. This way it will withstand replanting better, take root faster, and the marigolds themselves will be better able to withstand environmental influences. You should start by airing the room for several hours. After three days, the plant can be taken outside or onto the balcony. The main thing is that the temperature outside the window is more than +12 degrees. Such “walks” should initially not exceed 20-30 minutes. The time needs to be increased daily, but gradually. The same applies to light: in the first days we put it in the shade, then in a dark place, and at the end - in the sun.

Watering and lighting

While marigolds are still seedlings, they require good watering and a lot of light. If the plant does not have enough sun, growth will slow down and the inflorescences will be small. The main thing is to water moderately so as not to damage the root system, that is, moisten only after the soil has dried.

To increase daylight hours, you can use additional lighting lamps.

Fertilizer

Marigolds will need fertilizing several times during the season, so the flowering will be more intense and brighter. It is enough to feed 3 times during growth:

1. when the sprouts are 10cm;
2. when the first buds appear;
3. when the inflorescences bloom.

Weed removal

Loosening will get rid of unnecessary weeds. This procedure is mandatory for any variety of tagetes. Do not forget about this, as weeds will take away the necessary moisture and nutrients from your flowers.

Loosening marigolds is an important part of growing.

Protection from insects and pests

The marigolds themselves repel many pests with their strong smell, but they can still pick up fungus or spider mites. This is mainly due to improper landing. If you find rot or fungus on a sprout or flower, you should remove it, sprinkle the hole with earth and treat healthy shoots with antifungal mixtures. If you find a spider mite, you can use folk remedies: infusions of garlic, wormwood, red pepper or tobacco dust. You can also use ready-made preparations: Fitoverm, Fufanon or Anti-mite.

Pre-sowing seed preparation

Tagetes seeds do not require preliminary preparation - they can be planted dry, they have high germination rate. What you really need to pay attention to is the soil. Tender seedlings can suffer from fungal infections and pathogenic bacteria. Experts advise pre-treating soil taken from a garden or forest with biofungicidal preparations, for example, “Glyokladin” or “Trichodermin”, calcine the sand for disinfection in the oven (for 0.5-1 hour), pour boiling water on it or steam it in a water bath. .

You can buy soil mixture in specialized stores or prepare it yourself

Tagetes are not too demanding on soil fertility. The main thing is that it is light, loose, air- and moisture-permeable. The best option is loam or sandy loam with a neutral acid reaction. For preparing seedlings, nutrient substrates consisting of 1 part compost or humus, 1 part sand and 2 parts peat, or 1 part each of turf, humus and peat and 2 parts sand are well suited.

Specifics of sowing in open ground

There are two ways of sowing: in spring and for winter. Marigolds are not planted in summer.

Sowing seeds before winter

This method is applicable immediately after frost, as follows:

1. We form beds;
2. warm up, but do not wet the soil;
3. we plant in dry soil;
4. We mulch with compost, sawdust or fallen leaves;
5. cover with warm earth.

In spring, the mulch needs to be removed so that the earth can bask in the sun.

Spring sowing in greenhouses

We begin this process after the heat has established, when all the night frosts have passed. To protect the plants, you need to additionally cover them and put water in the greenhouse for more warmth and humidity. After the sprouts appear (7-10 days), the protective materials can be removed and the flowers can be watered. Do not forget about constant loosening and weeding.

Luxurious marigolds: health benefits and harms: application

There are many legends that talk about the healing properties of tagetes.
Nowadays, scientists have managed to confirm all these legends and prove that these beautiful flowers can relieve many ailments. If you grow marigolds in a pot at home or in a flower bed, then you will always have at hand not only beautiful, but also healthy flowers.

Marigolds have extensive medicinal properties, in addition to the main decorative ones. The composition also includes micro and macroelements, vitamins and essential oils that have an unforgettable aroma. Thanks to infusions from marigold, you can get rid of dysfunction of the digestive tract.

In addition, Chernobrivtsi will help you get rid of flu, colds and many other viral diseases. In order to avoid encountering these ailments, add flowers to tea or compotes.

Using marigolds does not cause any harm , but you should still consult a doctor before using them in home medicine. The fact is that they contain essential oils that can harm allergy sufferers. Pregnant women should also use Chernobrivtsev infusions with caution.

Caring for plants in open ground

Just like at home, plants in open soil need to be constantly watered, preventing the soil from drying out. The first few days, watering is regular in the early morning or evening, then as needed. When flowers appear, the amount of moisture should be reduced so that they do not rot. Loosen the soil every time you water or after rain. This will also help prevent an abundance of weeds.

After flowering, the heads should be removed so that flowering is longer and more luxuriant.

Application of velvet

1. marigold application

   If midges are flying near the compost pit, then place the stems around it and they will help get rid of uninvited guests.

2. If you hang dried marigold flowers above the door, flies will not be able to fly into it.
3. In order to disinfect the soil, it is necessary to chop the shoots of Chernobrivtsev and place them in the ground.
4. To fight parasites that have settled on other pets, it is necessary to use infusions of marigold flowers.
5. In addition, marigolds serve as an excellent seasoning for meat and as a marinade for preserving various vegetables.
6. Essential oils from the plant are quite widely used in perfumery.

Recipe: Marigold Seasonings

To do this, you will need flower stalks of sunny species. Collect them and dry them thoroughly. Once the flowers are dry, grind them to make a powder. Chernobrivtsy seasoning is used in Caucasian cuisine, giving dishes an unforgettable aroma and taste.

These flowers are also used to prepare the world-famous spice Imeretian saffron , which is used quite widely in the culinary world.

Now you know how to plant and grow marigold flowers correctly, so you can start growing them. The main thing is to follow all the necessary rules and soon you will be able to enjoy the lush and unforgettable bloom of these unusual sunny flowers.

Main problems when growing

• lack of moisture. Because of this, the flowers will be small in diameter and the seeds will be poor;
• stagnation of water in the beds. This can cause the root system to rot;
• lack of light and heat. The inflorescences will develop poorly, and the green part will not be lush;
• presence of parasites. As a preventive measure, it is worth washing the bushes with water once a week and, if necessary, using pesticides.
• strong growth. As soon as you notice that there is a lot of foliage, be sure to trim it with pruning shears.