How to grow marigolds from seeds at home for seedlings?

Marigolds, lights, hats, black-haired men - this is how the tagetes are affectionately called. This universal favorite grows quickly and is unpretentious in care. Among its varieties are dwarfs and giants. And even beginners can grow marigold seedlings with their own hands

Useful properties of marigolds
Tagetes inflorescences have various sizes and shapes from small “carnations” to luxurious “chrysanthemums”, and colors from lemon yellow to red-brown. Marigolds are planted in flower beds, in containers, they are conveniently used to cover places that are bare after the flowering of bulbous crops. Tagetes is suitable not only for garden decoration. All parts of the plant contain phytoncides that repel pests and inhibit disease-causing fungi, including those living in the soil. Marigolds are planted on strawberries from a weevil, on cabbage to scare off a whites, next to asters - from fusarium, near phlox and clematis for the prevention of nematodes. Tagetes is used as a medicinal plant and as a spice.

When to sow marigolds for seedlings?
Tagetes propagated by seeds. They can be sown in the ground after the end of the frost, and then thin out or plant the seedlings more freely, but you can plant tagetes with flowering seedlings immediately after the end of the frost.
From germination to flowering of tagetes, it takes from 40 to 50 days, depending on the variety, therefore it is necessary to sow marigolds for seedlings in the first decade of April. The soil for sowing tagetes should be sufficiently fertile and loose. The following land mixture is suitable: peat, humus (or compost), washed sand (2: 1: 0.5).

Sowing tagetes for seedlings Tagetes seedlings often die from the black leg. To prevent this from happening, a container filled with a soil mixture must be spilled in advance with a fungicide solution (Maxim, Vitaros, Fitosporin) or a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate. The best result is obtained by steaming the sifted soil mixture in a double boiler for an hour. In addition to the spores of pathogenic fungi, this will also destroy weed seeds. After lightly compacting the steamed potting mix, make shallow grooves on the surface. The soil should be slightly damp.

Spread the marigold seeds evenly over the grooves. This is most conveniently done with a small piece of white paper. If there are too few seeds, you can spread them out with tweezers. Label the varieties.

Sprinkle the crops on top with the same soil mixture with a layer of about 1 cm.With smaller sowing, the seed coat remains on the cotyledonous leaves during germination, the marigold seedlings cannot shed the peel, which interferes with their further development.

Moisten crops. Try to do this carefully, without eroding the top layer of the soil, so that the seeds do not end up on its surface.

Cover crops to keep the soil moist at all times. For this, it is convenient to use a suitably sized food container lid. You can simply put the container with crops in a clean plastic bag and put it away in a bright place. At a temperature of + 15 ... + 20 ° C, marigold shoots appear in 5-7 days. The temperature regime is important, because at temperatures below + 15 ° C, the seeds germinate poorly, and if it rises above + 25 ° C, they do not germinate at all.

After the appearance of the first shoots, daily ventilation is necessary: ​​at this time, the danger of the appearance of a black leg on the seedlings is highest. If you notice the first signs of the disease, immediately remove the lodging seedlings along with lumps of earth, and sprinkle the holes with fresh soil mixture and re-treat the crops with a fungicide solution.

When friendly shoots appear, the shelter must be removed completely. Water after the soil in the container is completely dry, making sure no water accumulates in the pan. Once every two weeks, feed the seedlings with fertilizer for seedlings (Fertika Lux, Agricola, Solution).

After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings are ready for picking.

Tagetes picking Tagetes dive at the stage of two true leaves. The seedling can be buried almost to the cotyledons (lower oblong leaves), but so that they do not touch the soil.

You can cut the marigold seedlings simply into the seedling box. Tagetes seedlings tolerate transplanting well even in flowering form - it is not necessary to keep the root ball at the same time. But it is most convenient to grow marigold seedlings in cassettes. The soil can be used with the same composition as for sowing, but without sieving. Add to it 1 tablespoon of a mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and 0.5 cups of wood ash for every 5 liters of the mixture. In order for fertilizers to be evenly distributed in the soil, you need to mix it thoroughly.
Fill the cassettes with the mixture, compact it a little, make depressions so large that the roots fit freely in it. If the roots are too long, they can be shortened a little. When diving, the seedlings need to be deepened by 1 cm.

Water gently. If the soil has settled too much after watering, top up the potting mix. Water regularly after the soil dries. The golden rule for tagetes: it is better not to add a little, than to pour.

Planting tagetes in the ground Two weeks before planting, start gradually accustoming the seedlings to fresh air. Marigolds do not tolerate even minor frosts, therefore, seedlings can be planted only when their threat has passed. In the middle lane, this is usually the end of the first decade of June. Choose a sunny place. Although tagetes can grow in partial shade, it will bloom there much worse.

Tagetes does not require fertile soil, the main thing is that it is loose and air- and permeable, without stagnant water. Heavy clay soil will help improve peat and sand.

Dig the soil onto a shovel bayonet, apply a full mineral fertilizer (nitroamofosk, amofosk) at the rate of 30 g per 1 sq. m, embed it in the soil by secondary digging.

Prepare the holes 15-30 cm apart depending on the future size of the plants. Typically, the seed producer indicates on the bags the recommended distance for each variety. Therefore, it is important to keep the seed bags and label the seedlings with the names of the varieties. So you will know exactly at what distance to plant each variety of marigolds. Do the depth of the hole so that when planting, the stems can be deepened by 1-2 centimeters. Place the root system in the hole.

Thoroughly fill in the voids around the roots and compact a little.

Water the planted seedlings. Tagetes is not afraid of watering over the leaves and rain. Further care consists in weeding and keeping the soil loose. If you have filled the soil with mineral fertilizers, then it is enough to feed Tagetes 1-2 times with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers during the season. These elements contribute to a more lush flowering. With an excess of nitrogen, tagetes grows strongly to the detriment of the formation of new buds.

Go to the main article about tagetes

A good seedling of marigolds will provide you with a beautiful flower garden in the garden. How to grow marigolds for seedlings, read further in this article.

DIY marigold seedlings

Marigolds take their name from the Latin Tagetes.

This plant belongs to the Aster family and can be both annual and perennial.

Marigolds originated in American territory (center, south).

Since ancient times, they have been used by the Indians in their ritual activities, as well as as a healing remedy for many ailments.

Flowers came to European territory in the 16th century and were the first exotic flowers that appeared in our country.

The flower culture of marigolds owes its name to K. Linnaeus, who named their flowers in honor of Tages, a semi-god, the grandson of Jupiter, who became famous:

• to predict the future for nothing;
• greatness;
• beauty.

Nowadays, marigolds, or, as they are also called, chernobrovtsy, are represented by a huge number of species and are bred by flower growers around the world.

Marigold varieties popular in Russia

A large abundance of marigold species is known, but the following varieties are most in demand in our country:

1. Mary Helen.
2. Hawaiian.
3. Rejected.
4. Naughty Marietta.
5. Petite orange.
6. Mandarin.
7. Fighter.
8. Jolly Joster.
9. Red gem.
10. Foxtrot Rio.

These and other varieties of flower culture can be purchased at a specialized store, and we will talk about how to grow marigold seedlings below.

How to prepare marigold seeds for planting seedlings?

The seeds of the Chernobrovtsy need to be bought exclusively for the first planting, since when the plant fades, it will be possible to collect the seeds and use them in the future.

You just need to give 2-3 inflorescences to dry thoroughly directly on the flower bed and, if there is no precipitation, you will be able to get the ripe seeds out of the cup, dry them and save until spring.

Attention!

Professionals warn that all Chernobrovtsy represented in the culture are hybrid plants, which means that every 4th flower will not preserve the quality of the variety and may inherit the characteristics of the father or mother.

How to germinate marigold seeds for seedlings?

Many gardeners plant flowers for seedlings with sprouted seeds.

In order for the material to germinate, it is necessary:

• Arrange the seeds on a plate.
• Cover with a damp cloth.
• Send the plate in a PE bag.
• Remove to a warm place.
• When 72 hours have passed, the seeds should hatch and they can be planted in prepared containers with high-quality soil.

When to plant marigold seeds for seedlings?

The sooner the seeds are sown on seedlings, the faster the color will go.

From germination to flowering of a plant, it usually takes 1, 5 months, depending on the variety, therefore it is necessary to sow marigolds for seedlings in the first decade of April.

If you plan to grow various types of flower culture, then it is important to know that Chernobrovtsy are sown earlier than others:

• In the 1st -15th of March, they are erect and undersized.
• Small-leaved in early April.

Approximate dates for sowing marigolds by region:

• Siberia and the Urals - 2-3 ten days of April,
• Moscow region and Central Russia - 1-2 ten days of April,
• Far East - the third decade of April, transfer to the ground, when the threat of frost has passed.

Auspicious dates

What days are best to sow velvets, according to the lunar calendar, see

here

What soil is best for marigold seedlings?

Growing seedlings is a fairly simple process, but there are nuances that must be foreseen.

The land should consist of:

• Humus.
• Peat.
• Turf.
• Sand.
• Proportions - (1; 1; 1; 0.5).

The earth must be disinfected by spilling the composition with a disinfectant solution of a fungicide or manganese diluted in water.

Drainage must be arranged at the bottom of the container.

It is allowed to use:

• Sand.
• Crushed stone.
• Expanded clay.

The height of the drainage layer should be 30 mm.

The land must be fertilized (any organic compounds, just not manure).

How to plant marigold seeds on seedlings and care for them?

At a distance of 15-20 mm, it is necessary to make depressions, put seeds in them and cover them with a light layer of earth.

Watering must be done very carefully so that the water does not wash the seeds out of the soil.

The pots or boxes should be placed in a room where the temperature is approximately 22-25 oC. it is important to spray the soil, it should not dry out.

The seeds will hatch in about 5-7 days, then the containers must be rearranged to light and the temperature must be reduced to 15-18 oC.

How to care for and dive marigolds?

After the Chernobrovtsy ascend, they must be transferred to the light.

It is very important that there is enough lighting, since it depends on how rich and beautiful the color of the flowers in the flower bed will be.

When 2 leaves appear, marigold seedlings require picking.

This requires:

• Dig up the sprout.
• Pinch his spine.
• Plant the sprout in another pot.

The plant must be deepened to the level of 7-lobes, thanks to which the root system will be better formed. After the sprouts are seated in separate containers, the pots must be removed from the light for 2-3 days.

Approximately a week and a half before planting seedlings in flower beds, it is necessary to harden it.

The container with seedlings must be taken out to the balcony, for 5 minutes, then for 10 minutes, etc.

When it gets warmer outside, the seedlings can be left on the loggia for the entire night period.

Evening watering is not necessary, otherwise the seedlings will stretch out and will be unstable to diseases. Watering should be carried out before noon and only with settled water at room temperature.

Marigolds love warmth, are afraid of frost and returning cold weather. Therefore, it is necessary to plant seedlings when it gets warm.

When to plant marigolds in the ground on the site?

Seedlings are planted on the plot when the night frosts leave.

This flower culture came to our territory from warm regions and does not tolerate low temperatures, it may die.

In addition, it is necessary to wait until the seedlings form at least 3 leaves and strong roots.

Usually planted in late spring or early summer.

The soil should be:

• enriched;
• well hydrated in the first half of the summer period;
• loamy and neutral.

If the land is scarce, it is necessary to apply fertilizers 2-3 times during the growing season.

The distance between seedlings depends on the variety and variety of the plant.

High varieties are planted every 400 mm, the distance between rows is also 400 mm, medium ones - according to the scheme 300x300 mm, low ones - 200x200 mm.

After planting, the plants must be watered abundantly and often, because, despite the fact that they are considered drought-resistant, if the flowers are not watered, they will be weak, nondescript as a result.

Features of growing marigolds

Marigolds should be systematically weeded and loosened, otherwise they may suffocate.

In the summer, if the Chernobrovtsy have grown, they can be cut off, so spectacular bushes are formed.

Inflorescences that have faded must be removed, then the flowering will be even stronger.

The unusual smell of marigolds and the phytoncides contained in them will protect not only the plants themselves, but also their neighbors from the fungus.

Beautiful garden to you !!!

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