Calendula: growing from seed, when to plant? This question is asked by many gardeners and summer residents. Incidentally, it also has another common name, "marigold," which is more commonly used. This is a fairly common plant, used not only for beauty but also for medicinal purposes.
Marigolds are native to southern climates, but they've also thrived in our country, where the weather can change instantly. This flower resembles a daisy in appearance, but is brightly colored, a vibrant yellow or orange that's unlike daisies. The plant is an annual, and it's crucial to collect the seeds, as they'll fall to the ground and the wind will scatter them throughout the garden, forcing you to pull up any blooms that emerge in the spring.
It is better to plant calendula in the spring and directly into the ground from seeds, but if you plant seedlings first and then into the ground, it will bloom faster.
1) If you want to plant it directly in the ground, you can do so as early as April. Before planting, you should naturally dig up the soil and plant the seeds no deeper than 2 cm, otherwise they will take longer to germinate. Seedlings should appear within a week of planting, spaced at least 30 cm apart.
2) You can also plant seeds for seedlings, which are started in March in individual boxes and transplanted only when the sprouts have about five leaves. The seedlings should be grown at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and receive regular watering; with this care, seedlings will appear within a week.
Before planting calendula, choose the right location, as it loves light but avoids heat. Partial shade is ideal, and remember that it's a water-loving plant. During drought, you'll need to water it up to three times a day. Remember to loosen the soil to allow fresh air to reach the roots.
In late summer or early fall, you can collect the seeds. They should be brown. If they're slightly green, they won't germinate the following year, and you'll have to buy seeds from the store. After harvesting, dry them on a wire rack or in a cardboard box to remove all the moisture.
Like all plants, calendula can get sick, but treatment can only be applied after it has finished blooming. The most common diseases it suffers from are powdery mildew, white spot, and black spot. However, not everyone knows what calendula diseases look like. To get rid of powdery mildew, you'll need a fungicide, which you'll need to spray on the infected plant.
At the beginning of the article, the medicinal properties of this flower were mentioned, so let's take a closer look at them. Before using them medicinally, they are first dried, thereby removing all moisture. Many people ask, "What beneficial substances are in this common flower?" There's a clear answer to this question, as it's used in many medications sold in pharmacies. So, calendula flowers contain:
Substances for enhancing immunity – magnesium, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, anti-inflammatory substance – copper, substance for improving the cardiovascular system – selenium.
Decoctions and infusions are made from marigold flowers and are used for:
- angina,
- wounds and burns,
- heart disease,
- female diseases,
- Gastritis, gallbladder disease.
So, you can grow not only a beautiful flower in your flowerbed, but also an effective remedy for many ailments. Be sure to plant calendula in your flowerbed and treat your family without expensive medications that offer the same benefits. Appreciate our nature, for it provides us with everything that sustains our lives.
We think it would be suitable to plant in combination with calendula. primroseIt's worth taking a closer look at this flower.