These sunny annuals might be native to Mexico but it has been cultivated around the world for many reasons.
On the plus side, its flowers also offer a lot of benefits from ornamental, botanical to medicinal.
Here, we will cover everything about marigold flowers and why they are raved for.
But marigolds in themselves, have meanings and symbols of their own.
It is also significant medicinally and as ritual flowers in the Aztec, Buddhist, and Christian traditions.
At present, it is the flower given stand for optimism and the will to succeed.
They could grow tall to up to 4ft high and blooms large, bulky, double-flowers.
These ones could thrive well in drought-like climate conditions.
Signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)
It is also called the Lemon Gem or American saffron.
It is a bushy and compact annual, blooming from summer to early winter.
It grows single, solitary flowers per stalk with beautiful lacy foliage that is truly attractive to look at.
They are eye-catching in their own right with flowers that are 6-inches wide.
It is a tall marigold with small, bright yellow flowers.
They are full-sun marigolds with a long growing time and long blooming season.
American marigolds
It is also known as Mexican tarragon or sweet-scented marigolds.
It is short, bushy, and comes with a woody base.
It grows small yellow flowers cultivated for medicinal uses specifically to alleviate an upset stomach.
It is also extracted for tarragon oil.
Is marigold annual or perennial?
Marigolds are herbaceous annuals known for being easy to plant and comes with minimum care requirements.
As an annual plant, it is loved for blooming from spring to summer.
Other color selections of marigold include yellow, red, and paler orange.
You will be purchasing actual plants, usually already in bloom.
When planting them, loosen the dirt around the roots and plant the entire root ball in the ground.
With proper care, these plants will grow, fill out and bloom all summer long.
Taller varieties however are specifically planted during early spring as they cannot survive during extreme climate conditions.
The temperate climate of spring will allow taller marigold varieties to root, grow fast, and mature.
Where to plant
These flowers love to get full sun but can also tolerate partial shade.
During the suns peak in the afternoon, they should have enough shade.
At best, putting stakes around taller varieties would be recommended.
How to plant from seeds
Marigolds have one of the fastest germination rates in the flower world.
Begin sowing seeds as soon as the climate becomes temperate and the soil has warmed up a bit.
Seeds sown must be an inch apart and must be watered frequently after planting.
As soon as you see them sprout, you must transfer the seedlings to a new plant spacing.
Replanting them requires a loosened soil of at least 6inches deep.
Note that the planting hole should be slightly bigger than the plants root ball.
Water thoroughly for a week.
This is a process where you routinely clip the dead flowers off of the plants.
This allows the plant to put more energy into producing new buds and continuing to grow the healthy flowers.
Through the summer when you dead-head the Marigolds, save these dead flowers in a watertight container.
These dead flowers contain the seeds for next years flower garden.
Once the threat of frost has passed, it is time to start your Marigold flower garden.
Plant the seeds you stored through the winter about an inch or so in the ground.
Planting Marigolds is a great way to have a colorful flower garden for very little money.
Nonetheless, here are some indoor tips that might just add to their indoor longevity.
If you ever plant it in clay soil, verify that it is well-draining.
It could tolerate soil pH levels in the range of slightly acidic, neutral, and alkaline.
Fertilizer
Amendments or fertilizer can be added during transplanting to secure growth but it is entirely optional.
A 5-10-5 can be used during transplanting.
In-ground planted marigolds do not necessarily need fertilizers too.
Potted marigolds can benefit from water-diluted fertilizer but must only be applied occasionally.
Water requirements
Excess moisture will make the flowers rot so see to it to never overwater.
Marigolds require watering from the plant base and never overhead.
Watering should be done only when the soil has gone dry and more frequently during periods of high heat.
As for potted marigolds, watering should be done daily since the pots dry out the moisture more quickly.
Sun & Lighting
In general, marigolds love the sun.
When grown outdoors, it must receive 6-8 hours of continuous, direct sunlight.
Temperature
During germination, marigold seeds will thrive and grow in temperatures between 10-15 degrees Celsius.
Repotting
The repotting season is basically during spring when the soil is moist and warm.
Doing this regularly before the blooming season also fosters bushier flowers come blooming time.
Propagation
As it is grown from the seed, its propagation will also be by the seed.
From here, repeat the process: sow, wait for the sprouts, replant.
Allow the soil to dry out before watering although it grows dormant during this season.
Fertilizer is not necessary but transfers outdoors for some natural sun as soon as spring arrives.
However, its most potent time frame is one year only.
Beyond this, you decrease its capacity to germinate.
Marigold diseases and problems
Common marigold diseases spring from over-moisture.
As such, marigolds could be infested with powdery mildew and fungal spores.
It is also susceptible to leaf burns or leaf spots.
When this happens, check the soil nutrients as it could be deficient or have excess in soil nutrients.
Other than these, marigolds are generally disease hardy.
How to harvest marigold flowers
Harvesting marigold flowers is easy peasy.
You have to cut the flowers just above the base during the start of the blooming season.
Put it in vases and change the water every day.
For culinary use, the hanging method is used after harvesting.
This is intended for marigold tea and potpourri.
Uses of marigold
When grown in the garden, marigolds can be beneficial for many reasons.
One, it is a great pollinator.
It specifically attracts bees, butterflies, and ladybugs.
Two, marigolds are natural repellents for unwanted insects like hornworms and whiteflies.
Potted marigolds are equally beneficial.
Marigolds are also used as ingredients in ointments thanks to its restorative properties treating lesions and varicose veins.
Its flowers are also edible and are used in Mexico and Asia as ingredients for a salad.
The best-flavored marigolds are gem marigolds, French marigolds, and Mexican mint marigolds.
In the winter, marigolds are tossed to the chicken cage entirely.
Conclusion
Marigolds are low-profile but beautiful flowers.
With everything that we have covered, we finally understand
