Marigolds (70 photos) - varieties, cultivation and care of the most useful flower

Marigolds are one of the most popular flowers that every person has encountered. Its attractiveness and popularity is due to its lush and long flowering, and the flower heads have various rich shades from lemon yellow to red and fiery brown, attracting the eye from afar. In our article about marigolds, we will tell you about existing varieties, the features of growing these plants, and also answer questions about what else marigolds are useful for and how they can be used.

Rules for planting in the ground and recommendations

From planting seeds to transplanting plants into the ground, it takes about 6-8 weeks (about 2 months). Marigolds prefer soils with neutral or slightly acidic pH = 6.0-7.0. It is best to pre-enrich the soil with compost; this will also be a good solution for the drainage function. Several recommendations for transplanting seedlings into the ground:

• Transplantation dates: end of May/beginning of June;
• Feed young plants before flowering 2-3 times with complex fertilizer;
• When planting, the stem of each plant goes 2 cm deep into the soil;
• The distance between marigolds in flower beds when planting depends on their height and variety. Low-growing ones are planted at a distance of about 20 cm from each other, tall ones need more space, so a distance of 30-40 cm is maintained between plants.

Main types and varieties with photos and names

Gardeners cultivate a large number of different types of marigolds, but the most popular varieties are of only 3 types, namely: rejected (short), erect (most often tall) and thin-leaved (rarely found in mid-latitudes). The varieties of these species are distinguished by their diversity. So, their flowers can be large or small, densely double or double, and painted in various shades of orange, brown and yellow.

Erect marigolds (Tagetes erecta), or African

In this genus they are giants, so their height can reach 0.3–1 meters. Most often, double inflorescences are painted in one color shade, and their diameter does not exceed 15 centimeters.

Popular varieties:

1. Vanilla - the height of the bush is up to 0.7 m, the diameter of the double white-cream inflorescences reaches 12 centimeters.
2. Kilimanjaro - bush height 0.6–0.7 m, densely double inflorescences have a spherical shape.
3. Antigua is a low-growing variety, the height of the bush is no more than 25 centimeters. The bushes are erect, and they bear large (about 15 centimeters in diameter) flowers, colored lemon yellow, deep yellow, golden or orange.

Low-growing, or rejected, or French marigolds (Tagetes patula)

The height of the bushes is most often below 0.6 m. Compact bushes contain a large number of non-double and double inflorescences, the diameter of which is most often no more than 8 centimeters. This type is also called spreading. The most popular varieties are those included in the Bonanza series, the height of which does not exceed 30 centimeters, for example, Bonanza Bolero, Bonanza Orange, Bonanza Flame, etc. Their bushes with small terry (diameter about 5-6 centimeters) inflorescences, painted in rich colors, look very impressive. Carmen marigolds are also highly decorative. Their inflorescences, which are double, consist of corrugated petals. The petals in the central part are yellow-orange, and the edges are brown-red.

Marigolds thin-leaved, or Mexican

They look very different from other species. So, they have fragrant openwork-lace leaf plates that seem to float in the air. They also have a huge number of small inflorescences, which creates the effect of sparkling fireworks. They can be colored yellow-golden, orange-red and orange-golden. They have been grown since 1795. Today there are approximately 70 varieties of this species. The height of the bushes does not exceed 40 centimeters. Their root system is very powerful, and there are also adventitious roots at the bottom of the shoots. The most popular varieties are Ursula (orange-golden), Golden Jam, Gnome, Lulu (yellow-golden), Paprika (orange-red).

Caring for marigolds

Marigolds are unpretentious garden pets, so to enjoy their flowering, you need to follow a few rules for caring for these beautiful plants:

1. The place for planting should be well lit or slightly shaded;
2. The optimal temperature for full development is considered to be from 20 to 24 degrees Celsius;
3. Marigolds do not like drafts, so you need to provide a protected place, at least with other plants growing nearby in the group;
4. Plants tolerate drought well, but with poor watering, flowering will slow down and there will be fewer buds;
5. Regular feeding has a good effect on the flowering and appearance of marigolds. They need to be applied in stages: when the plants reach a height of 10-13 cm, then when the first buds form and at the beginning of flowering;
6. It is better to reapply fertilizer no earlier than after 30 days;
7. The soil around the marigolds needs to be loosened and weeded;
8. To prolong flowering, faded shoots can and should be removed.

Healthy recipes

Marigolds can be used either freshly cut or dried. Here are just a few recipes:

• 2-3 marigold flowers can be added to a salad, which will relieve fatigue and stimulate appetite.
• Chernobryvtsy in the compost pit will prevent the appearance of midges in it.
• You should eat up to 5 flowers within a week to get rid of roundworms.
• Crushed petals can be added to lip balm to make your skin soft.
• Infusion of 2 tbsp. A spoonful of flowers in a glass of water with the addition of a tablespoon of vodka and lemon will become an indispensable tonic for cleansing the face.
• A decoction of marigolds relieves skin inflammation. You can take a bath or wash your face with it.
• Flower petals can be added to homemade baked goods, which will give it a piquant taste.

Marigolds are also actively used in folk medicine. They are used for cataracts, diabetes, and inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, to achieve maximum effect in herbal preparations, it is better to use Chernobryvtsy after consultation with your doctor.

As you can see, marigolds are not only a beautiful flower with a unique aroma, but also a storehouse of health, an assistant in everyday life and maintaining beauty. And this is where the love of many generations lies for this bright and memorable plant.

Photo: marigold flowers

Practical benefits of marigolds

The main and main use of marigolds is decorative floriculture and landscape design. But this is not their only modern purpose! Here's where else marigolds are used:

• In cooking (as a seasoning, marigolds are used in the Caucasus to prepare an analogue of the spice saffron, which by analogy was called “Imereti saffron”);
• In the treatment of diseases (medicinal tea is brewed; Mexico is especially famous for this use of marigolds, where the leaves are used as a remedy for fever, cachexia, constipation, as a diuretic and diaphoretic; in large doses it is known to be used as an emetic);
• In pharmaceuticals (the root system of marigolds contains the antibiotic thiophene);
• In wedding and holiday ceremonies (in Thailand and India, marigolds are used to make flower garlands, decorations for holidays and weddings);
• As a national symbol (often mentioned in Ukraine, this flower is the hero of songs, poems and fairy tales).

Attention! There are several contraindications for consuming marigolds as food and medicine.

This:

• The occurrence of individual allergic reactions (swelling, redness, rash, etc.);
• Personal intolerance to the constituent parts of the plant;
• Pregnancy.

When to sow seedlings

It is best to start preparing seeds and sowing in March-April.

What time to plant seedlings

Transplantation is possible when the plant has 3 leaves and a root system has formed. In this case, you should make sure that there is no threat of frost. In warm regions this may be May, but in the northern regions it may be June or July.

Interesting facts about marigolds

Marigolds are plants with a rich history. They have been known for a long time and are quite well studied. These are among the most popular and used flowers among gardeners from many countries. Did you know that:

• In different countries, marigolds are called by several names. In Belarus these are “Aksamites”, in Ukraine - “Chernobrivets”, in Russia - marigolds or marigolds, in Great Britain - “marigolds” (Mary’s gold), and in Germany they are known as “Turkish carnations” or “student flowers”;
• The birthplace of flowers is America. In this area, from New Mexico and Arizona to Argentina, they grow wild;
• In the language of flowers, marigolds symbolize courage, strength and courage;
• The smell of marigold leaves is much stronger and more pronounced than the aroma emanating from the buds;
• Dried marigold flowers are the raw material for making a seasoning known in Russia and the Caucasus - it is called “Imereti saffron” (after the name of the Imereti Lowland). The spice is used to give dishes a golden and reddish hue, as well as a pleasant aroma;
• In Mexico, marigold foliage is used by local residents to treat fever and constipation;
• If you plant marigolds near cucumbers, you can thus increase the yield of the edible crop, since the aromatic plants attract natural pollinators - bees.

Imereti saffron

Germination of seeds

To grow seedlings of these unpretentious flowers from seeds, you need to let the seeds germinate. The best time for this is from mid-March to early April. Take a flat dish and place a cloth soaked in water on the bottom.

Place the marigold seeds on it and, covering the dish with polyethylene, place it in a warm place. The first shoots will emerge from the seeds in three days. You only need to buy seeds in the first year. Later, you can collect seeds from faded plants. They retain germination perfectly for 3-4 years.

Video about growing and caring for marigolds

How to grow marigolds correctly. Basic care rules for beautiful and lush flowering. Join the viewing!

Marigolds are quite unpretentious and fast-growing flowers. Simple care for them will only bring pleasure, and you can enjoy flowering almost immediately after planting the seedlings in the ground and until the cold weather. A combination of different varieties of marigolds in flower beds will be an excellent solution for a beautiful garden, and the rich beneficial properties will help maintain health and keep the harvest from pests in the garden. We wish you good luck growing these flowers!

general information

Oddly enough, marigolds are classified as asteraceae, although few people compare these flowers. They were incredibly popular even in ancient times, when the bright flowers were used in rituals or to treat illnesses. Depending on the variety, marigolds begin to bloom in the first half of summer and continue until frost.

Marigolds have straight but branched stems that form a true bush. Moreover, this bush is not always miniature, and some varieties grow up to 1-1.5 m. They have feathery, dissected leaves of all shades of green and voluminous flower baskets from yellow to red and brown.

Marigold seeds are almost impossible to spoil. They germinate in any conditions, remain viable for up to 4 years, and reproduce very abundantly by self-sowing.

Photo: oir.mobi

First steps after purchase

It is best to buy Marigolds during the flowering period. Particular attention should be paid to the soil and the root zone. Marigolds are most susceptible to flooding and, as a result, root rotting. Pests very rarely settle in the internodes of plants, but you should not let your guard down. It is necessary to carefully check the stems and leaves, preferably in daylight, because the insects are very small. At home, you should keep Marigolds in quarantine for the first time. It is not recommended to disturb the plant for 15-20 days. After this period, you can safely move the bush.

Why don't they make you happy with flowers?

Despite the fact that marigolds usually bloom in June, sometimes it happens that June ends, then July, and there are still no inflorescences. The most common reason for this is a lack of sunlight, but it could be something else.

First you need to find out how marigolds were grown: by seedlings or by sowing directly into the ground. Seedling flowers will indeed bloom in June, but only if they were picked on time. Otherwise, when planting in the ground, the roots will be damaged, and the marigolds will have to “come to their senses” for a long time, growing roots and getting used to new conditions. This will take time during which the buds could be set.

Sowing directly into the ground, in turn, is timed to coincide with the departure of the night frost - marigolds cannot tolerate temperatures even at 0 degrees. If it is still cool until the end of May, then the seeds should be sown no earlier than 15 (read about the nuances of growing marigolds from seeds here, and from this article you will learn how to collect marigold seeds so as not to buy them). They will emerge only by the end of the month and, therefore, will not bloom before the end of July. And if the entrances are also thickened, and they have to be planted, then flowering will be postponed to the beginning of August.

The lack of flowering may also depend on the variety: rejected marigolds bloom first, and thin-leaved marigolds bloom later than all. Flowering dates will be indicated on the seed bag. So sometimes you just have to be patient and wait for it to bloom.

Sometimes marigolds stop blooming due to extreme heat: in this case, their leaves will droop during the day and come to life in the evening. With constant drought, the plant may be attacked by spider mites. To avoid this and resume flowering, marigolds need to be sprayed twice a day.

The problem may also be an excess or lack of nutrients. With an excess of nitrogen, flowers spend all their energy on growing leaves, but do not have time to form buds. At the same time, if there is a lack of nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium, there will be no flowering.

Bloom

When does it start?

About two months after planting in the ground, in mid-June, the first flowers appear. Receiving the necessary care, marigolds can bloom safely until the first frost.

How long does it last?

Each blossoming bud blooms for about two weeks. Then it starts to crumble. But the crumbling flowers are quickly replaced by new ones, creating the impression of continuous flowering.

Fading inflorescences need to be torn off so that the marigolds bloom as long as possible. The flowers have a spicy scent and can be used in cooking or cosmetology.

Basic care

In order for marigolds to bloom and not get sick, they need proper care. These flowers love water, so they need to be watered every day. At the same time, it is important to ensure that water does not stagnate around the roots, as this will cause them to rot and the flower will die. Therefore, it is important that the soil in which the plants will be planted has high water permeability.

For marigolds, periodic weeding and loosening are very important.

Don't neglect feeding . Properly selected fertilizers will help achieve an abundance of petals and bright flowering. Universal multicomponent fertilizers are considered the most suitable fertilizer for marigolds. They usually contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Experienced gardeners advise feeding flowers three times during the flowering period.

Fresh manure should not be used as fertilizer. It has a bad effect on the flowering of marigolds.

Feeding:

1. First feeding . It is carried out when the plant grows to about ten centimeters. Solution: a tablespoon of fertilizer and a tablespoon of urea per ten liters of water. Consumption: 2-3 liters per square meter.
2. Second feeding . It is carried out when the first buds appear. Solution: a tablespoon of superphosphate and a tablespoon of potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water. Consumption: 2-3 liters per square meter.
3. Third feeding . It is carried out when marigolds are in abundant bloom. Before fertilizing, water the flowers with water (if it has not rained). Solution: two tablespoons of nitrophoska per 10 liters of water. Consumption: 2-3 liters per square meter.

Mineral fertilizers can be replaced with herbal infusion and wood ash. Add half a glass of ash and 500 milliliters of infusion under each plant.

Why don't buds appear?

Marigolds may lack buds and die inflorescences for the following reasons:

1. Lack of sunshine. Marigolds need sun. In shade and partial shade they bloom much more slowly and may not bloom at all.
2. Excess moisture in the soil. These plants love water, but too much water leads to rotting of the roots and death of the plant. Dampness will also attract slugs and snails to marigolds.
3. Too much drought. It is in extreme heat that flowers can be attacked by spider mites. To defeat it you need to use an infusion of hot red pepper, yarrow and onion. Read about the fight against spider mites and other pests here.
4. Diseases. Various fungal diseases and infections harm the plant and can lead to a lack of buds and flowers.
5. Lack or excess of nutrients.
6. Pests.

Also, flowers may be absent for a long time when planting thin-leaved marigolds . They bloom later than other varieties, so all you have to do is wait.

Landing rules

To avoid the problem of your favorite flowers not blooming, you should use the following recommendations:

1. It is better to grow the plant using seedlings; picking is required.
2. If it is not possible to plant the seedlings first in pots and you have to plant them in open ground, then you must cover the sprouts. The covering cannot be removed until the frost has passed.
3. Marigolds will definitely bloom if they are planted in the sun.
4. Do not plant sprouts in damp areas and lowlands.
5. In order to detect diseases or pests in time, you need to periodically examine marigolds.
6. In hot summers, flowers need to be watered twice a day. It is necessary to water moderately, at the root.
7. If you choose early varieties of marigolds for planting, they will bloom faster.

More details on the rules for planting and caring for marigolds are described here.

Bright and beautiful marigolds, with proper care, will be a wonderful decoration for the garden. Due to their unpretentiousness, even an inexperienced gardener can cope with growing these flowers.