Marigold flowers - planting and care in the open field

Content:

What marigold flowers look like
Classification of marigold species
The cultivars that are most popular with horticulturists
How marigolds reproduce
Features of care in the garden
When and how it blooms
Possible growing problems
Use in landscape design

Many gardeners use annual plants to decorate their personal plot. They are unpretentious, have a bright color, bloom during the entire warm period. Marigolds are considered the most popular, because thanks to the variety of varieties, you can make a flowering carpet that will not only attract butterflies, but also protect vegetable crops from insect pests.

What marigold flowers look like

Before growing marigolds, you need to know the external description, plant preferences, planting and care rules. The flowering herb forms a sprawling bush with a height of 20 to 130 cm. The root system is fibrous, the foliage is pinnately divided or dissected, which is located opposite or singly. The leaf blade is light to dark olive in color.

Marigolds - decoration of any garden

Abundant flowering. From June until the first frost, the bush is covered with basket-like simple or double flowers of lemon, red, burgundy, brown or orange. Most often, several flowers are mixed in one inflorescence. The median flowers are tubular, bisexual, pseudo-ligate at the edges.

Pollination is due to wind and insects. After flowering, black-and-white linear-seed fruits appear on marigolds. Thanks to good self-sowing, flowers sprout in the same place in early spring.

Note! A strong spicy aroma exudes not only flowers, but also leaves.

What family does it belong to

Marigolds are a perennial or annual herb, it all depends on the region of growth and variety. Flowers belong to the Asteraceae family, or Asteraceae.

Briefly about the history of appearance

Marigolds have an amazing history. The plant is native to Central and South America. Local Indian tribes used the flower in rituals and as a medicinal plant. In Europe, marigolds appeared in the 16th century, and then became the first flowers brought to Russia.

For your information! The plant got its name in honor of the Etruscan demigod Tages, the grandson of Jupiter, who had an attractive appearance and had the gift of prediction.

Plant characteristics

Marigold is not only a beautiful, but also a medicinal plant, as it has medicinal properties. Thanks to the beneficial substances contained in flowers and leaves, the plant is beneficial for the following diseases:

relieves cataracts;
relieves inflammation of the pancreas;
treats bronchitis and colds;
cleans the blood;
relieves stress and normalizes the nervous system.

Also, the plant is widely used in cooking.Seasoning, marinades, sauces are made from flowers and added to sweet pastries. In the Caucasian markets, you can see marigold powder. It is used to make satsivi, pilaf and soups.

Note! In France, the leaves are added to marinades. Cooked vegetables under such a marinade will have a pleasant aroma and retain their elasticity for a long time.

Infusion helps with many diseases

Classification of marigold species

There are 3 types of marigolds. They differ in the shape of the foliage, the color of the flowers and the size of the bush. Among them there are varieties with large and small, simple and double inflorescences.

Erect (Tagetes erecta), or African

Marigolds - planting and care in the open field

African, or erect, marigolds, depending on the variety, can reach a height of 30 cm to 1 m. Inflorescences 15 cm in diameter are simple or double, most often they are yellow. Higher varieties are suitable for cutting. Flowering occurs in mid-June. Erect marigolds are divided into 2 groups:

tall. The plant forms a bush up to 1 m high. In this group there are varieties with inflorescences of clove and chrysanthemum types;
dwarf. A dense bush reaches a height of up to 30 cm. There are low-growing varieties with inflorescences basket, crown (elongated tubular flowers), chrysanthemum.

Undersized, or rejected, French (Tagetes patula)

Rejected, or undersized, marigolds are more compact plants, which, thanks to branched shoots, form a spherical bush 20-50 cm in diameter. The stems are covered with feathery dark olive leaves. Cup-shaped double and simple inflorescences sit tightly on a swollen stem. The diameter of the basket does not exceed 8 cm. The petals are colored lemon, brown, orange or brown-red.

Note! Such flowers bloom in the second half of July.

Thin-leaved, or Mexican

This is a small-flowered spreading bush that does not exceed half a meter. This species differs from others in its delicate foliage with a delicate aroma and simple small inflorescences, reminiscent of fireworks of red, orange and golden lights. The species is relatively young, appeared in 1975. It blooms profusely all summer. Fine-leaved marigolds:

unpretentious in care;
resistant to drought and low temperatures;
prefer an open, sunny place and fertile soil.

The cultivars that are most popular with horticulturists

Ifeion flowers - planting and care in the open field

In the genus of marigolds, there are more than 40 varieties that are loved by flower growers all over the world. They all differ in color and flower structure, bush height, leaf shape. When purchasing marigolds, the cultivation of which will not be difficult, first of all, you need to pay attention to the color, height of the bush and flowering time.

Antigua

The variety belongs to the upright species. The plant reaches a height of 30 cm, and the diameter of the inflorescence is within 7-12 cm. The compact bush gives several peduncles. Antigua marigolds have several subspecies:

Orange - deep orange inflorescences;
Yellow - flowers of a sunny lemon color;
Primrose - the bush is covered with golden balls.

Antigua

Hawaii

An upright variety forms a bush 90 cm high. Strong shoots are covered with ribbed dark olive leaves. Bloom from July to October. The bush is covered with orange, carnation, hemispherical inflorescences. The diameter of the flower does not exceed 10 cm.

Note! The variety is intended for decorating flower beds and flower beds, often used for making bouquets.

Hawaii

Gold Dollar

The Gold Dollar is an early annual hybrid without the characteristic marigold aroma. The variety belongs to the upright species. Blooms in 2.5 months after germination. The plant forms deep orange chrysanthemum inflorescences.

Gold Dollar

Kilimanjaro

The masterpiece of world selection belongs to white hybrids. The plant is compact, grows up to 70 cm.Due to its double inflorescences up to 12 cm in diameter, the variety is suitable not only for decorating a garden, but also for making bouquets.

Important! Cut flowers stand in water for about 2 weeks.

Kilimanjaro

Glitters

The giant erect plant grows up to 120 cm. Abundant flowering and bright orange color have made the variety popular among gardeners. The bush is not picky about the quality of the soil, but prefers to grow in an open, sunny place.

Glitters

Goldlicht

Tall variety with ribbed red-olive shoots. Clove-shaped terry inflorescences of medium size are painted in a rich orange color.

Note! Since the variety starts flowering in the second half of July, it belongs to late plants.

Goldlicht

Frieze

The variety forms a compact erect bush 80 cm high. Densely double inflorescences 10 cm in diameter are painted in a sunny orange color. Flowering begins at the end of June and lasts until the first frost.

Frieze

Bolero

A relatively new variety that belongs to a rejected species. The height of the bush reaches 30 cm. Inflorescences-baskets are small in size, terry in structure. Due to its red-brown color with golden blotches, the variety is appreciated by flower growers. The plant is fast-growing, blooms throughout the warm period.

Bolero

Naughty Marietta

The popular variety forms a compact bush with highly branched shoots and small flat inflorescences. The flowers are painted in 2 tones: the center is red, and the edges of the petals are golden. The variety is unpretentious, blooms from June to September.

Naughty Marietta

Bonanza

Perennial large-flowered variety. As it grows, it forms a compact shrub 30 cm high. Terry inflorescences are large, painted in red-orange or lemon color. The plant is unpretentious to the quality of the soil, grows well in a sunny place without stagnant water.

Note! Yellow marigolds will look great with darker varieties.

Bonanza

Gold Ball

A medium-sized bush up to 60 cm high, which belongs to the rejected species. Terry baskets with a diameter of 6 cm are painted in bright lemon color. The variety is distinguished by its early and long flowering.

Gold Ball

Jolly Jester

A strongly branched small bush that is covered with single flowers of a simple form in July. The inflorescences are of mixed color: one half of the petal is lemon-colored, the other is red. Subject to the agrotechnical rules, the variety will become a decoration of the personal plot.

Jolly Jester

Red gem

The plant forms a spherical bush up to half a meter high. If the rules of care are followed, a large number of inflorescences appear on one plant. The flowers are small, simple in shape, colored red with yellow edging.

Red gem

Lemon Jam

The variety belongs to the thin-leaved species. Bush plant 30 cm high. Inflorescences are small and painted in a juicy lemon color. Early and long flowering.

Lemon Jam

Mimimix

A low-growing variety with numerous small red-orange flowers. The plant has bare straight shoots and olive-colored. Dark green pepper leaves are alternately arranged.

Mimimix

Golden Ring

The variety forms a sprawling bush with fragile shoots. Plant height does not exceed half a meter. Golden Ring dissolves spherical bright lemon inflorescences up to 2 cm in diameter.

Golden Ring

Gnome

Dwarf small-flowered thin-leaved variety up to 25 cm high. Small chrysanthemum flowers with a diameter of 2.5 cm are colored lemon or orange-brown.

Gnome

Carmen

Carmen marigolds form a compact shrub 30 cm high. Terry flowers are colored red-brown with a yellow core.

Important! The plant is grown as annuals, as it does not tolerate frost.

Carmen

How marigolds reproduce

Miscanthus - planting and care in the open field

Marigold flowers are propagated by seeds. Planting material can be sown directly into open ground, or the plant can be grown through seedlings.

For your information! The seedling method gives early flowering.

Before purchasing seeds, you need to know when marigolds bloom and growing conditions.

Growing from seeds

It is advisable to use the seedling method of growing marigolds in regions with long winters. If planting dates are met, early flowering can be easily obtained.

Time to board

The time of planting seeds depends on the region of growth. As a rule, seeds of erect varieties are planted for seedlings in mid-March, and thin-leaved and rejected varieties are planted in mid-April.

Choice of capacity

For planting marigolds, use disposable cups or shallow containers. When sowing in separate containers, there will be no need to dive young seedlings in the future, and when sowing in open ground, the root system will not be damaged.

Soil and seed preparation

Prepared containers are scalded with boiling water and, after cooling, are filled with nutritious soil mixture. You can buy it at the store, or you can mix it yourself. To do this, take peat, turf soil, sand and humus.

Note! Before planting seeds, the soil is disinfected with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.

Seedling care

Seedling care is simple. It consists in fulfilling the following rules. After the seeds are buried by 1 cm, the container is closed with polyethylene to create a micro greenhouse. The optimum temperature for germination is 22-25 ° C. After the emergence of shoots, the shelter is removed, and the container is transferred to a cooler room.

Watering with warm water is carried out as the top layer dries. If there is not enough lighting, then artificial light is installed over the seedlings.

Important! If the seedlings are grown at low temperatures, the roots will no longer absorb phosphorus, and the stem will turn purple.

Seedlings require a lot of light

Dive and transfer

After the appearance of 3-4 true leaves, the seedlings are dived in separate cups. To make the marigolds look compact and strong in the future, the seedlings are buried to the cotyledons.

Growing with a seedless method

If it is not possible to deal with seedlings, seeds can be sown directly into the ground. In the spring, after warming up the soil, the seed is sown into fertile soil to a depth of 3 cm. After that, the soil is spilled and covered with covering materials in case of return of spring frosts.

After the emergence of shoots, the plant is transplanted and thinned out:

for undersized varieties, the interval is 10-15 cm;
medium-sized - 20 cm;
tall - about 40 cm.

Features of care in the garden

Caring for marigolds is simple. It consists in timely watering and loosening of the soil. Knowing how to care for marigolds, in a short time, you can transform your personal plot to the envy of your neighbors.

What conditions do marigolds like

Marigolds prefer to grow in a well-lit area. Despite the fact that the plant can grow in partial shade, it will not please with lush flowering.

What is the plant afraid of

The plant is unpretentious, but it has several features. Why marigolds grow poorly and do not bloom:

when grown in the shade, the inflorescences are small and dull;
when planting near a reservoir, the plant can be harmed: the root system will quickly rot and the plant will die;
in partial shade, growth and development slow down.

Important! In order not to face difficulties, you need to choose the right place for landing and know how to care for marigolds.

Watering

Marigolds are drought-resistant plants. Watering is carried out as the top layer of the soil dries out. Irrigation is performed with warm, settled water.

Important! During the formation of inflorescences, watering is reduced.

Watering must be done with warm water

Mulching

To retain moisture after watering and stop the growth of weeds, the soil is mulched. Use straw, grass cuttings, peat or rotted compost as mulch. The thickness of the mulch should be at least 10 cm.

Loosening

To get air to the roots, the soil is loosened after irrigation.But since the root system is shallow, this must be done extremely carefully so as not to damage the fragile roots.

Top dressing

Marigolds do not need to be fertilized. But if the plant is planted in depleted soil, it can be fed with mineral fertilizers 3 times:

when the seedlings reach 10 cm;
when buds appear;
at the beginning of flowering.

Transfer

In regions with unfavorable climates, marigolds are grown as annuals. But in order for the plant to please with flowering all winter, the bush is dug up in the fall, transplanted into a pot and grown at home.

Note! In early spring, marigolds are taken out onto the balcony.

When and how it blooms

Flowering is profuse and long lasting. Flowers on the bushes last until the first frost.

Types of flowers

Flowers in marigolds can be simple, semi-double and double. The flower shape depends on the variety and type of plant.

Flower shapes

Inflorescences in marigolds can have such forms as a basket, crown, anemone, chrysanthemum and clove-flowered. The appearance of the flower depends on the number of tongues, the type and variety of the plant.

Flowering period

The color and flowering time depend on the variety. There are early varieties that bloom in June, there are later ones, showing the first flowers in mid-July.

Changes in care during flowering

During flowering, watering is reduced, and in order for the plant to show a large number of inflorescences-baskets, wilted flowers must be removed in a timely manner.

Possible growing problems

The specific aroma from roots, flowers and leaves is a kind of protection against fusarium and other fungal diseases.

Note! This aroma will help not only marigolds, but nearby growing plants. Therefore, they are often planted in the garden.

Marigolds repel pests

Pests

If the agrotechnical rules are not followed, spider mites and slugs can settle on the plant. They get rid of the first pest by spraying with folk remedies, since the flower can wither and die from the chemicals. The second parasite is harvested by hand and destroyed.

Diseases

Marigolds rarely get sick, but with high humidity, fungus and rot may appear on the plant. To get rid of the disease, it is necessary to normalize watering and transplant the plant to a sunny place. Also, from low temperature, high humidity and with a thickened planting, gray rot appears on the stem and leaves. To avoid a chain reaction, the affected plant is dug up and burned.

Signs of improper care

If the rules of care are not followed, marigolds will grow and develop poorly. Signs of incorrect content:

small flowers - planting in the shade;
the appearance of pests - increased soil moisture;
reddish brown spots on the leaves - thickened planting.

Use in landscape design

You can plant marigolds anywhere, with the exception of a place near a reservoir and in the shade. On a flower bed, flowers can be planted in different varieties, as follows: undersized along the edge of the curb, tall in the center or in the background. According to the color palette, the flower bed can be monochromatic and contrasting.

Note! Throughout the warm period, the flower garden will not lose its decorative effect, since untimely cut dried flowers will be hidden under the blooming ones.

Marigolds are flowering plants. They will not only decorate the garden, protect garden crops from insect pests, but also help to heal the body. Observing agricultural techniques, the flower will show itself in all its glory and become a favorite annual.