Those summer residents who encountered this for the first time with this flower Whether you've grown marigolds yourself or haven't grown them in a while, you might wonder about growing them from seed and when to plant them. In this article, we'll cover not only this aspect in detail, but also general planting requirements and proper care.
Of course, marigolds are easy to grow. This is precisely why many flowerbeds in cities large and small are planted with them. However, for optimal and beautiful flowering, it's clear that specific growing conditions will be necessary.
What is extremely important when growing marigolds:
- The flower should be planted in soil that is light in composition. This means fertile loams and slightly acidic or neutral conditions are suitable;
- Marigolds love warmth and do not tolerate frost of any kind;
- Flowers of this variety are drought-resistant. However, at the very beginning of growth, constant moisture will be required;
- You can plant it in an open place or in the shade;
- Very shaded areas are not suitable for growing, because the plant will stretch out and will bloom poorly;
- Tall varieties and hybrids require more careful care;
Growing marigolds correctly
Marigolds: growing from seeds, when to plant outdoors, and why are we talking about these specific conditions? Because the most popular method of propagating marigolds is from seeds.
Advice! If you're planning to grow hybrids, you can try stem propagation. Hybrid varieties root well in water.
For planting, it's recommended to use only fresh seeds. This means those that have been stored for no more than two years. You can plant dry seeds, or you can pre-soak them in water and germinate them. If you pre-germinate the seeds, you can then choose the optimal seeding density.
You can grow seeds directly in the ground, or you can start seedlings indoors first. Here's the answer to the main question: marigolds: growing from seeds, when to plant seedlings – late May and the first half of June. If you plant seeds directly in the ground in the spring, you'll need additional plastic cover. Again, remember that marigolds are frost-intolerant.
Factors that influence when to plant marigold seedlings:
- Much depends on how often frosts occur in your region. Young plant in frost, even short-term, it will quickly die.
- When you want to see marigolds blooming, the plants need one and a half to two and a half months of growth before flowering.
- The best dates for planting seedlings are considered to be late March and early April, for flowering in June. If you want flowering in late summer, you can plant seeds in May or even early summer.
When to plant marigolds on the balcony
If you choose to grow seedlings, you need to prepare trays with suitable soil. Sow the seeds every 4 cm, no more than a centimeter deep.
Marigolds: growing from seeds, when to plant on the balcony, and when to expect sprouts? Provided the temperature is 22 degrees Celsius or higher, sprouts will appear within a week. For seedling development, the temperature should be around 20 degrees Celsius. Once a couple of true leaves appear, the seedlings can be pricked out.
Interesting! Marigolds tolerate both picking and transplanting very well. These flowers are not fussy during these processes.
Planting in open ground
Soon it's time (when warm weather has settled in and frosts are certain to be avoided) to transplant flowers into open ground. Dwarf varieties can be safely planted in a 20 x 20 cm pattern, while taller varieties are best planted in a 40 x 40 cm pattern. Once planted, water them with warm water.
What care to provide
Marigolds: growing from seeds and planting times are discussed in this article. Care includes watering, weeding, and loosening the soil. If the planting is too dense, thinning will be necessary.
To achieve a pleasing decorative appearance, faded flowers should be treated. This will also prolong the flowering process. Marigolds are virtually pest-free. Spider mites may occasionally appear if the weather is hot for a long time. You know Perennial flowers for the garden and vegetable garden: photos with names?
Potential problems during cultivation and ways to solve them:
- If there is little moisture, the size of the inflorescences will be small;
- When there is too much moisture, fungal diseases can affect the roots and the plant will die;
- During rainy weather, the inflorescences may begin to rot. To prevent the entire plant from rotting, such buds should be promptly removed;
- If the air temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius, the leaves will turn red and the growth process will stop;
Marigolds: growing from seeds and planting times are fairly standard. The plant is easy to grow outdoors, which is why many gardeners love them.