Marigold Seed to Flower: Growing and Caring Guide
By Vina Badal | On 11 March 2024 09:39 AM
Marigold is a wonderful flower that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is an annual plant that is easy to grow from seeds and blooms in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, and red. The flower is known for its distinctive aroma and is often used in perfumes and cosmetics.
Marigold is also used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. This versatile flower is a favorite among gardeners and can be grown in pots, borders, or as a companion plant to vegetables. With its bright colors and easy cultivation, marigold is a great choice to any garden.
These flowers bloom for months, extending from summer into autumn, until the first frost in late fall. They are heat-loving plants that grow in zones 2 to 11 across their entire range. Preferring full sun, these flowers are not frost-tolerant, so plant them after all risk of frost has passed.
Planting Marigold Seeds
Marigolds are among the easiest flowers to grow from seed. Choose seeds based on your preference for flower color, as they come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, blooming all summer long. With a little care, you can enjoy these cheerful flowers in your garden for months. You may grow them either in a Diy raised bed or a container garden.
How to Germinate Marigold Seeds
- If you are starting seeds indoors, sow them in seed trays.
- Cover the seeds lightly with soil and keep them moist but not soggy.
- Place the seedlings in a warm location, and germination will occur within 5 to 7 days.
- Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves, thin them out, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- When the danger of frost has passed, harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for a week.
If you wish to sow seeds directly into the ground, make sure to plant them at a depth of 1/4 inch. For taller varieties, allow a spacing of 12-18 inches between them, while smaller ones should be placed 6-8 inches apart.
How to Plant Marigold Seedlings
- Choose a location in full sun with well-draining soil.
- Amend the soil with compost or manure before planting.
- Dig holes that are slightly larger than the root balls of the seedlings.
- Plant the seedlings at the same depth they were growing in their pots.
- Water the seedlings well and mulch around them to help retain moisture.
When to Plant Marigold Seeds
The best time to plant marigold seeds depends on your climate. In warm climates, these seeds can be planted outdoors as early as 4 weeks before the last frost, typically from March to May. If you are in cooler climates, it's recommended to start them indoors 8 weeks before, usually from January to February.
After the freezing climate has passed, you can then transplant them outdoors. When deciding whether to sow the seeds outdoors or start them indoors, it's important to consider factors such as the length of the growing season, the specific varieties, and how quickly you want to enjoy the blooms.
Where to Plant Marigold
These flowers prefer to stay in the warmth of the sun, so choose a sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If that's not possible, they can tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hot climates.
These easy-to-grow plants do not mind growing in poor soil, but they will bloom best if you provide amended soil. Enrich it with compost and organic matter, adding some sand and peat moss to enhance drainage and airflow.
Marigold Plant Care
Marigolds, with their simple needs and long blooming season, are perfect for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike. These annual plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring watering during dry periods. Plants in containers need more frequent watering. Regular deadheading and feeding with a high potash liquid feed promote long flowering.
Here is a guide to nurturing your marigolds from tiny seeds to beautiful blooms:
Watering
Water your plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting. Aim for moist soil, but avoid overwatering. If your marigolds are in containers, water them daily, as they tend to dry out quickly.
Established plants can tolerate some drought, but they will flower best if you water them every week. When watering ground plants, target the area around their base rather than spraying over the leaves and flowers. This practice helps prevent rotting and fungal growth.
Fertilize Your Marigold
When fertilizing marigolds, it's best to avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers as they promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Instead, opt for liquid fertilizers, such as compost tea, or organic options like compost or well-rotted manure. These provide a steady supply of nutrients without promoting excessive foliage growth.
Liquid fertilizers are particularly effective for this flower as they can be absorbed quickly by the plant, promoting continuous blooms. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for the correct application rate and to avoid over-fertilizing, which can hinder flower production.
Deadheading
It's essential to regularly remove spent flowers to promote continuous blooming. This involves pinching off dead blooms and flowers from the parent plant. Deadheading not only maintains the plant's appearance but also encourages the production of new blooms, resulting in a longer flowering period.
Start deadheading when the first faded blossom appears and continue throughout the summer. Pinch off the dead blooms just below the flower head using your fingers or pruners. This process prevents the plant from focusing on seed production, ultimately extending the blooming period.
Mulching
Mulching marigolds is a beneficial practice that involves spreading a 2-3 inch layer of organic materials, such as dried grass, wood chips, or chopped leaves, around the base of the plants. This helps prevent weed growth, regulate soil temperature, and enhance soil fertility as the mulch breaks down.
Remember to water the plants well before mulching and avoid wetting the marigold blossoms during watering. Wetting the flowers can lead to issues such as mold, mildew, or rot, affecting the overall appearance of the plant. It's best to water the soil directly to prevent these problems.
Pests and Diseases
Marigolds are known for their pest- and disease-resistant properties. They can repel root-knot nematodes and other harmful nematodes that feed on plant roots. However, they are not effective in repelling all pests, and some pests like aphids, thrips, and powdery mildew can still attack them.
To control these pests, organic methods like insecticidal soap or neem oil can be used, and air circulation can be improved to prevent fungal diseases.
Companion Planting
When grown alongside other crops, marigolds offer several benefits in the garden. They contribute to pest control by deterring common pests such as whiteflies and tomato hornworms, attract beneficial insects, serve as trap crops for specific pests, and help repel unwanted species through the secretion of a natural compound called limonene.
Therefore, when marigolds are grown with other companion plants, they not only contribute to pest control but also maximize the use of space, creating an attractive and healthy garden.
Harvesting Seeds
You can save these harvested seeds from your marigold flowers to plant next year. Wait until the flowers have lost their color and started to die back, but are not too crispy. Pick the dry, dead flowers on a sunny day, and allow the heads to dry in the open air. The seeds can be stored in a plastic bag and placed in the freezer for up to 5 years.
Steps For Harvesting
- Allow the flower heads to dry completely on the plant.
- Once dry, cut the flower head from the plant a few inches down the stem.
- Pinch the withered petals and gently pull them to reveal the seeds.
- Lay the collected seeds out for a day or so to dry further.
- Store the dried seeds in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place for planting next year.
Main Varieties of Marigold
There are around 56 species of marigold found all over the world, but with countless varieties developed through hybridization, the exact number is difficult to pinpoint. However, over 50 varieties are readily available for home gardeners, each with unique characteristics like size, color, and bloom shape. Here are some of the most popular types:
African Marigold
African marigolds feature some of the biggest blooms among marigold varieties, with single or double flowers reaching up to 6 inches in diameter. They come in a range of warm colors like yellow, orange, and white, adding a burst of sunshine to any garden.
These marigolds are tough cookies, thriving in hot, dry climates where other flowers might struggle. Their thick stems and leaves help them retain moisture, making them ideal for low-maintenance gardens.
- Botanical Name: Tagetes erecta
French Marigold
Native to Mexico, French Marigolds have been cultivated for centuries due to their ornamental value. These marigolds are shorter and more compact than African marigolds, typically reaching only about 12 inches in height.
French marigolds are also renowned for their strong scent and are commonly used for edging and borders. They produce smaller, single blooms that come in various colors, such as yellow, orange, and red.
- Botanical Name: Tagetes patula
Signet Marigold
These marigolds are the smallest variety, with blooms that are only about 1 inch in diameter. They have a single bloom with a unique, spicy flavor that is often used in salads and other dishes. Signet marigolds are also known for their lemony fragrance and are often used in rock gardens and container gardening.
- Botanical Name: Tagetes tenuifolia
Triploid Marigold
Triploid marigolds are hybrids created by crossing African and French marigolds. They have three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two, making them sterile. This sterility means they don't produce seeds, allowing them to redirect their energy into continuous flowering. As a result, they can bloom from early summer until the first frost, while other types of marigolds may stop blooming earlier in the season.
- Botanical Name: Tagetes triploidus