Marigolds the best varieties

Despite the fact that the homeland of marigolds is South America, they have successfully taken root in our area. And so much so that they began to grow everywhere: both in city parks and gardens, and in private garden plots. These bright flowers, unpretentious to care for, delight the eye until late autumn. Today you will get acquainted with the best varieties of marigolds. A detailed description of the varieties is presented to your attention, as well as a photo selection with the names of individual varieties.

Description of the plant

Annual / perennial plant belonging to the Astrov family. Differs in a variety of stem length (from 15 to 130 cm) and the presence of a fibrous root system. The flowers grow large enough to form a lush bush that can be a worthy decoration for any flower bed or garden.

The leaves of the plant are pinnate, solid, jagged. The color of the leaves is pale green and even a rich green hue. Inflorescences on the bush are found both single and Asteraceae. A distinctive feature of marigolds is their bright saturated color (yellow, orange, brown and multicolored with a red variegated dusting) and a kind of delicate aroma.

Blooming marigolds

Marigolds are distinguished by generous beautiful flowering, which begins with the arrival of a warm summer and ends in late autumn (sometimes up to the first frost).

Advice. If you want to add zest to your garden, but do not know which plant to choose from, you should pay attention to marigolds. Having correctly selected the right variety, you will not only not spoil the appearance of the garden with its help, but also enhance the pleasant impression. In addition, marigolds are mostly a perennial plant, so for 3-4 years you can enjoy their beauty carefree.

Classification of marigolds

Despite the fact that there are annual and perennial varieties of marigolds, the latter are most often used in gardening. Marigolds are also classified by the height of the bush: giant (about 1.5 m and above), tall (about 0.6 m), medium (no higher than 0.5 m), undersized (up to 0.4 m), dwarf (maximum height - about 0.15-0.2 m).

Main types

Despite the variety of varieties of marigolds, only a few main types of this plant can be distinguished:

Erect marigolds

• Erect (African). This species is characterized by sprawling erect bushes, covered with a thick "carpet" of double rounded inflorescences. The diameter of the flowers is, on average, about 10-12 cm. The stems of the plant are large enough, strong, reaching 1 m in height. This variety is most often used in group compositions, in flower beds and even in small bouquets.

Advice. If you have chosen a variety related to this species, keep in mind: a significant drawback of the African variety of marigolds is considered to be poor moisture tolerance. With frequent and heavy rains, the flowering begins to lose its original appearance, and the plant itself decays over time.

• Small flowers (French). A low variety of plant - does not exceed half a meter in height. The inflorescences are also quite small - only about 3-5 cm in diameter. The plant pleases with its flowering until mid-autumn. The flowers are characterized by a solid orange color (sometimes they are two-colored).Most often used to create beautiful edging around curbs. They are unpretentious in leaving.

Small-flowered marigolds

• Thin-leaved. Thin-leaved marigolds grow as a very compact bush, not exceeding 0.4 m in height. Inflorescences are slightly reminiscent of chamomile in shape, but have a rich yellow color. The size of the flowers is small - only 3 cm in diameter. Most often used to create bright compositions in small flower beds. Also used in cooking (as a seasoning). Demanding in care: they love light and warmth.

Thin-leaved marigolds

• Small (graceful). Despite its name, marigolds of this species are truly gigantic in size - the height of the bush sometimes exceeds 1.2 m. But the inflorescences themselves look very graceful, neat, and differ in tiny sizes. They are often used in cooking.

Small marigolds

Hybrid views

Separately, several varieties of marigold hybrids can be distinguished:

• Antigua. This dwarf hybrid (about 30 cm) is most often used for compacting and decorating garden plantings. Differs in a variety of color shades of its inflorescences: yellow, lemon, golden, etc.
• Aztec Lime Green. Bushes of medium height (about 0.4 m) at their tops proudly bear lush terry inflorescences of a delicate lime color with a green tint.

Aztec Lime Green

• Lunasi. These undersized African marigolds are incredibly small in size (about 15 cm) and unusual-looking inflorescences - they look like chrysanthemums. They bloom unusually quickly (in just a couple of months) and fade just as quickly.
• Vanilla. An unusual hybrid, which got its name from the inflorescences of a delicate vanilla color. Used exclusively for propagation in flower beds and pots (after cutting).
• Amber. The hybrid is represented by low bushes with powerful stems bearing bright orange double inflorescences. The species pleases with its early flowering and resistance to adverse climatic factors.

Amber

• Cloves. Grown exclusively for further cutting. They differ in medium size and powerful beautiful inflorescences.

The hybrid varieties presented above are just a few of the wide variety of marigold plants.

Popular varieties

Consider some of the most popular marigold varieties, most often used for growing in small flower beds, private gardens and for decorating city flower beds. Among the large number of African varieties, the following can be distinguished:

• Gold Dollar. The variety is compact and at the same time large in size (small in width, but high - more than 1 m). The flowers are orange with red accents.
• Kilimanjaro. A hybrid variety intended exclusively for cutting. The size of the bush is large - it reaches a height of 0.6-0.7 m. Lush marigolds have an unusual white color for a plant.

Kilimanjaro

• Glitters. An unusual variety, represented by giant bushes - about 1.1 m. At the same time, the inflorescences grow in rather rare groups, they are small in size - about 5 cm in diameter.
• Smile. This late-flowering variety is represented by a rather powerful developed bush about 1 m high. The inflorescences are large, yellow in color (sometimes several shades of yellow overlap on one inflorescence: light yellow, lemon, golden, etc.).

Among the French varieties, the following can be distinguished:

• Naughty Marietta. One of the most popular varieties. Unpretentious in care, blooms for a long time. The bushes have an average height - no more than 0.4 m. The flowers grow densely, outwardly resemble chamomile. The color of marigolds is bright yellow, with a reddish core.

Naughty Marietta

• Fighter. A variety with an unusual appearance: marigolds outwardly resemble chamomile flowers. They grow very densely, creating a beautiful lush bush. They do not bloom for long - only at the beginning of summer.
• Bolero. A relative newcomer to the wide variety of marigold varieties. Already managed to catch the fancy of Russian gardeners.Bushes grow quite small - only about 0.3 m. Flowers on them are also small, double. The color is unusual - rich red with small yellow blotches. Blooms for a long time, unpretentious in care.

Among the Mexican varieties, the following can be distinguished:

• Mimimics. An unusual variety, represented by compact bushes with dense dense flowering of small marigolds. During the period of active flowering, the bushes form a natural low-growing flower bed. They can be a worthy decoration even for a large garden.

Mimimix

• Lemon Jam. Also a low-growing variety (bushes grow no more than 0.3 m in height). Marigolds grow densely, but have a very small size (outwardly they resemble chamomiles). The color of the flowers is lemon.
• Dwarf. An excellent variety for the formation of small flower beds. Dwarf bushes. The inflorescences are single, medium-sized, have a red-brown color along the edges and a yellow core.

So our acquaintance with marigolds has come to an end. Now you know how diverse this plant is, and you can choose the best variety for your garden from a considerable number of options presented. Good luck!

Growing marigolds: video

Due to its bright colors, long flowering and unpretentiousness to growing conditions, marigolds are especially popular with gardeners. They are used to decorate private plots, parks, city squares and squares. Small compact bushes can grow quickly, turning the flower garden into a variegated carpet. Plants do not require frequent watering, they are resistant to drought and shading. The variety of colors and shapes of flowers is a real find for landscape designers.

Marigolds - plant description

In Europe, marigolds appeared in the 16th century, their historical homeland is Central and South America. Annuals and perennials from the Asteraceae family have become a favorite decoration of gardens, balconies and terraces. They received the Latin name Tagetis (tagetis) from Karl Linnaeus. He named the flowers after the mythical deity Tages, the grandson of Zeus. Today in the world there are about 60 species of marigolds and many hybrid varieties.

Marigolds in landscape design

The stems of a herbaceous plant are strong, erect, depending on the species, they form a compact or spreading bush. Height from 20 to 120 cm. Elongated leaves are colored in various shades of green. They are pinnately dissected or pinnately divided, the edges are serrated. On the stems they are arranged alternately or opposite each other. The root system is well developed. The inflorescences of the basket are composed of reed and tubular flowers.

Information. Many varieties of marigolds have more fragrant leaves than flowers.

The flowering period begins in June and lasts until the first frost. After the petals fall, the fruit is formed - a dark flattened achene. The seeds of the plant ripen in it, their number is 280-650 per 1 g. The positive property of seeds is good germination, which lasts for 3-4 years. Tagetis is classified according to several criteria:

1. Stem size:
   1. tall - from 60 cm and above;
   2. medium-sized - 45-60 cm;
   3. undersized - 25-45 cm;
   4. dwarf - 20-25 cm.
2. Inflorescence structure:
   1. carnation-flowers consist of dissected tongue petals;
   2. anemone - large tubular petals are located in the center, and ligulate along the edges in 1-2 rows;
   3. chrysanthemum - inflorescences resemble a ball in shape, they consist only of tubular petals.
3. By the number of petals:
   1. simple - flat inflorescences, similar to chamomile, consist of one or two rows of reed petals;
   2. semi-double - flowers have at least 3-4 rows of petals;
   3. Terry - lush inflorescences of a combined type, they include reed and tubular petals.

Varieties and names of low-growing marigolds

To get your own idea of ​​these interesting flowers, it is worth studying the varieties and photos with the names of stunted marigolds:

• "Red brocade" is a compact shrub up to 25 cm high with large bright red flowers. Inflorescences 4-6 cm in size have a velvety texture. Marigolds bloom profusely from June to October. Perfectly coexist with primroses and cineraria.

  Red brocade

• Rejected tagetis "Baby Harmony" - the variety stands out for its spectacular two-tone color. Stems are branched from the very base. On deflected shoots during the flowering period, many bright spherical flowers appear, turning the bush into an extravaganza of colors. The marginal flowers of the inflorescence are brownish-red, the middle flowers are golden. Leaves are green, pinnately dissected. The height of the culture is 20 cm, the diameter of the flower is 5 cm.

  Kid Harmony

• "Petit Spray" - undersized (up to 30 cm) spreading bushes retain their decorative attractiveness throughout the summer, until the first autumn frosts. The inflorescences are densely double, in appearance they resemble chrysanthemums. The color is two-tone - the middle is bright yellow, and the frame is dark red. They are planted according to the 20 × 20 scheme for decorating flower beds, borders, flowerpots.

  Petit Spray

• "Red gem" - the height of the bush is 20-25 cm. The plant is distinguished by abundant flowering, many simple flowers up to 2 cm in diameter cover a sprawling bush. Tagetis petals are bright red, the middle is yellow. By removing wilted buds, you can extend the flowering period.

  Red gem

• "Mischievous Marietta" - among French or rejected marigolds, this is the most popular variety. His second name is "Playful Marietta". The size of the bush does not exceed 30 cm. Flat, non-double inflorescences grow up to 5 cm. The color is two-color - on a golden-yellow background, red-brown strokes at the base. The leaves are pinnately dissected, the edges are jagged.

  Naughty Marietta

• "Bonita mix" is a dwarf annual up to 20 cm. The main decoration of the bush is multi-colored star-shaped inflorescences. The mixture is characterized by the presence of flowers with different colors: yellow, orange, red-brown. The variety is good in group plantings and for growing in flowerpots.

  Bonita mix

• "Carmen" is a rejected tagetis with a spreading bush up to 30 cm. The inflorescences are clove-shaped, ligulate petals located at the edges are red-brown in color. The middle of the flower is yellow. Terry inflorescences grow up to 5-6 cm. A distinctive characteristic of the variety is a persistent aroma, reminiscent of the smell of asters. A plant for decorating ridges and flower beds. It is planted in the garden and in the city to repel pests.

  Carmen

• "Eye of the Tiger" is a decorative variety of rejected marigolds up to 35 cm in size. Branched bushes, carved leaves, dark green. Terry inflorescences, consisting of many tubular flowers of rich orange color, framed underneath with red-brown petals. The diameter of the carnation inflorescences is 5-6 cm. Often found in the design of balconies and verandas. the plant has a peculiar aroma.

  Tiger's Eye

Low-growing large-flowered varieties have a special decorative appeal:

• Antigua Orange is the most popular hybrid variety widely used for planting in mixborders and flowerpots. On the bushes, many strong peduncles grow with dense double flowers 8-12 cm in size. In shape, they resemble a sphere. The color of the flowers is bright orange.

  Antigua orange

• "Lemon" - a dwarf bush no higher than 20 cm is distinguished by round double flowers with a diameter of 8 cm. The color of inflorescences is lemon yellow. Swirling petals resemble chrysanthemums. The leaves are elongated, pinnately dissected. An excellent option for growing in pots and flowerpots.

  Lemon

• "Merry Clown" is an annual with early and abundant flowering. Cheerful coloring of flowers will give an unusual flavor to the site. Large flat inflorescences have a striped range. Lemon yellow and reddish brown stripes alternate with each other.

  Cheerful clown

• "Queen Sofia" - marigolds rejected undersized - up to 30 cm. Dense, densely branched bushes boast inflorescences up to 7 cm.The petals are bronze-red, golden at the edges. The color fades under the sun's rays. Used for group landings. The culture blooms from June until the first frost.

  Queen Sofia

Rules for growing marigolds

Landing in open ground

The optimal time for planting seeds of low-growing marigolds in open ground is the last month of spring. Saplings are sensitive to low temperatures, frost can destroy them. For germination, seeds need a temperature above 20 °. Before planting, the ground must be prepared. Lean soil is fertilized with humus and superphosphates. Furrows 4-5 cm deep are made under the seeds with a hoe. The soil is moistened. The seeds are evenly scattered and buried. Depending on the temperature, the sprouts will appear in 5-10 days. Tagetis seeds

Growing seedlings

In order to enjoy the variegated colors of tagetis at the beginning of summer, it is necessary to plant seeds for seedlings in March-April. For germination of seed, it is recommended to prepare a loose mixture:

• peat;
• sod land;
• humus;
• river sand.

All components are taken in equal proportions. At the bottom of the container for growing seedlings, a drainage layer is arranged. This will prevent stagnation of water, which negatively affects the development of seedlings. The layer should be at least 3 cm. Fine gravel, expanded clay, crushed stone are suitable as drainage. To disinfect the soil taken for the substrate, a solution of potassium permanganate is used.

Advice. Sow seeds of erect tagetis in March, and rejected (undersized) in April. In this case, they will bloom at the same time in the flowerbed.

The seedling container is filled with soil, leaving 2-3 cm from the edges. Before planting the seeds, the substrate is moistened. With an interval of 3 cm, transverse grooves are made to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. The seeds are laid out at a distance of 1 cm from each other. But this is not a prerequisite, if the seedlings are thick, they can be thinned out. Seed material is covered with soil by 1 cm. The container is covered with glass or polyethylene and left in a warm place with a temperature of 20-22 °.

Planting seeds in a container

If the soil dries up before the first shoots appear (5-7 days), it should be watered. Small seedlings are gradually accustomed to a lower temperature, moving to a room where it is 15-18 °. When caring for seedlings, it is important not to overflow the soil. The water is immediately poured from the pallet. After the appearance of two carved (real) leaves, a pick is carried out. The seedlings are moved into separate containers so that they can fully develop.

A spoon is suitable for removing seedlings from the ground. The planting of grown seedlings in open ground occurs at the end of May, and in cold climates - at the beginning of June. By this time, the night frosts have stopped. There are few requirements for the soil at the planting site: it should be pH neutral, loose and fertile. The planting site is dug up and complex mineral fertilizers are applied. Low-growing marigolds are planted at a distance of 15-20 cm. In the first month, the flowers need regular watering. It is periodically necessary to loosen the soil and weed the weeds.

Marigolds can be grown in potsDiseases and pests

Thanks to the emitted phytoncides, insects bypass the marigolds. Their fungicidal properties protect the plant itself and the nearby crops from the spread of fungal infections. The only danger to tagetis is excessive moisture. At high dampness, the roots of flowers rot. Drought is also harmful to plants; in hot weather, spider mites settle on them.

Useful properties of low-growing marigolds

The unusual aroma of tagetis is not to everyone's liking, but it has useful properties. The spicy scent helps to calm and relax. On insects, the scent acts as a repellent. Garden pests avoid places where fragrant flowers grow. This property of marigolds has long been noticed by farmers; they plant bright bushes along the perimeter of the beds.Natural protection works no worse than insecticides, while being safe and environmentally friendly.

The chemicals released by the stunted marigolds help cleanse the soil. They have a negative effect on fungi and bacteria. In the fall, after the onset of frost, the plants are used as green manure - they are crushed and buried in the area. The composition and condition of the earth is improving. Every part of the culture benefits a person. Tagetis roots are able to drive away nematodes. Small worms cause great harm to potato, strawberry and other crops. For 2-3 seasons, chemical compounds from the root system of flowers get rid of dangerous pests.

The leaves and inflorescences of tagetis contain essential oil. It has found application in cosmetology, is added to liqueurs and soaps, and is used in the food industry. The healing properties of marigolds help to treat colds, inflammation of the gallbladder, and constipation. Dried flowers scare away moths, placing them in the closet, you don't have to worry about the condition of your clothes.

Use in landscape design

In ornamental gardening, hybrid varieties of tagetis are used. Low-growing flowers look organically on a variegated flower bed and in garden vases.

Low-growing marigolds in a flower bed

Minimal care requirements and long flowering contribute to the popularity of marigolds. Compact bushes are grown to decorate the interior of premises, terraces and balconies. They thrive in pots.

Moscow, Russia, on the site since 11.01.2017

Marigolds are probably known to everyone, they are one of the most unpretentious flowers. Bright, sunny flowers will decorate any flower bed or balcony. Marigolds are real workers, their flowering lasts all summer until the very frost.

These plants can be used not only as a decoration for the garden, but also as a medicinal plant, seasoning in cooking and as a means for cosmetic procedures. From this article you will find out what marigolds are, varieties with photos and names are described below.

See also: "When to plant marigolds for seedlings"

Types of marigolds

Thin-leaved

This species includes mostly low plants. They have compact bushes, the growth of which does not exceed 50 centimeters. The foliage is small, dissected flowers are simple. Thin-leaved varieties look good in flower beds and in combination with other types of marigolds, they can also be grown in balcony conditions. Now let's consider the most popular varieties of this type.

Lemon Jam

The plant grows to a height of only 35 centimeters, the flowers are small lemon-colored, the bushes are minimal in shape, branches with abundant flowering.

Lemon Jam

"Dwarf"

It grows up to 25 cm, the plant has the shape of a ball, the foliage is dense, delicate. This variety blooms before the rest. The flowers have a yellow center and brown petals around the edges.

Dwarf

Golden Ring

The plant forms shoots up to 50 cm, flowers are yellow, small flowers begin to bloom in June and end with the onset of the first frost.

Golden Ring

"Mimimix"

The plant forms small dense bushes up to 25 cm, flowers are small, simple.

Mimimix

Marigolds erect

The tallest varieties belong to this species, they reach 100 cm. The flowers grow large up to 15 cm, of the same color, double type. In addition, marigolds are divided into the following sizes: super high -90 cm, tall - 60-90 cm, low less than 45 cm

Erect marigold varieties with photos and descriptions:

A remedy from which plants grow by leaps and bounds! Just water your plants with it ...

"Hawaii"

These plants reach 105 cm, flowers are large, with a shade of orange, 12 cm in size, bloom late in the late summer.

Hawaii

"Gold Dollar"

The bushes look miniature, they grow 120 cm in height, the trunks are powerful, the foliage is light green, the flowers are rich orange.

Gold Dollar

"Eskimo"

The plant grows to a height of 35 cm, flowers are milky in color, the size of the peduncle is up to 6 cm.

Popsicle

Freels

Plants form small bushes up to 80 cm, flowers are large, with a yellow center and orange edges, blooms in late July.

Friels

"Mandarin"

It blooms with lush orange flowers, the bush itself is dense, densely branched.

Mandarin

Marigolds rejected

In another way, this species is called French, it is characterized by a large range of color shades. The bushes reach a length of no more than 60 cm.The flowers are double and simple, they are small only 8 cm.For convenience, the variety is distributed according to the classification: tall - 60 cm, medium up to 50 cm, low 20-40 cm, the lowest 15-20 cm ...

Here are the most popular varieties of rejected velvets:

"Bolero"

A relatively new variety that has managed to fall in love with flower growers. The flowers are not large, lush, a shade of red with brown and a small splash of lemon color. The bushes are not high, about 30 cm. These marigolds grow rapidly, bloom a lot throughout the summer season.

Bolero

"Fighter"

Lush bushes, grow up to 50 cm. The foliage is rich green, delicate. Flowering begins in early summer.

Fighter

Jolly Jester

These marigolds branch well, the bush itself grows up to 30 cm, the flowers have several shades.

Jolly Jester

"Gold Ball"

Sprawling bushes, up to 60 cm in height, green shoots with brown bloom, flowers are simple or semi-double, about 5 cm in diameter. The variety blooms in early June, flowers can be used for cutting.

Gold Ball

The smallest varieties

A variety of low-growing marigolds are widely used to create flower beds and flower beds. Shades of colors are yellow, orange, reddish, and brown. Basically, dwarf varieties of marigolds curl strongly, they reach a height of 20-35 cm. The smell of flowers is well pronounced, but somewhat softer than that of other species.

Here are the marigold varieties most beloved by flower growers with good photos:

"Carmen"

Refers to rejected marigolds, the bush reaches up to 30 cm, the flowers are brown-red with a yellow center in a diameter of 6 cm.

Carmen

"Petite orange"

The bushes of this plant are very miniature, only 25 cm, the foliage is bright green, dense, orange flowers are not large 6 cm in diameter, double.

Petite orange

"Golden Head"

This plant has a height of only 20 cm, dense bushes with strong shoots, foliage of a dark green hue. Double flowers resembling chrysanthemum about 4 cm in diameter. These marigolds bloom early in early June, profuse flowering lasts until the first frost. The variety is suitable for growing in pots, balconies, flower beds and flower beds.

Gold head

"Bonanza"

The cultivar consists of a series of plants with a variety of colors. The flowers are yellow, white, reddish brown and orange. All terry inflorescences are 6 cm in size.The size of the bush is from 25 to 30 cm.

Bonanza

Low-growing large-flowered varieties are determined by powerful stems, dark green foliage, large double inflorescences. The color of flowers can be lemon, yellow, orange.

Antigua

The variety is erect, the height of the bush does not exceed 25 cm. The inflorescences are large enough in size 15 cm, terry. 4-5 flowers bloom on one bush, they have a monochromatic color. Flowering begins early in late May and lasts two months.

Antigua

Lunasi

A beautiful undersized variety with large chrysanthemum-shaped flowers, predominantly orange in color. Flowering begins two to three months after germination.

Lunasi

Perennials among the velvet

Perennial marigolds grow in natural conditions in hot countries. In the climatic conditions of our country, velvet flowers can grow like annual flowers, because they die due to frost. But due to the abundant ejection of seeds and their germination in the same place in the next season, the effect of perennials is achieved. Perennial varieties  marigolds grow in Mexico, America, but here are the plants most resistant to climatic anomalies: Bicolor French, Bonita, Golden Domes, Khokhloma, Mexican Tarragon, Sofia.

Planting seeds in the ground

Marigolds are easy to grow from seeds. Planting in flower beds begins at the end of May, when the soil warms up well. It is better to choose an open sunny place, far from water bodies, light partial shade is allowed. For convenience, furrows can be made with a hoe, then spilled with water.

The seeds are laid out about 1.5-2 cm from each other, and sprinkled with soil 0.5-1 cm.Further, the plantings are watered and covered with a covering material so that the moisture does not evaporate so much, of course, if rains are predicted, then this is possible and not to do.

After about five days, velvet shoots will appear, the covering tissue is removed, if there is a severe drought, the plants need watering. When the second pair of real leaves appears, the places where the marigolds have sprouted densely are thinned out. Excess plants can be planted in beds with cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, carrots. The fact is that all parts of marigolds secrete phytoncides that scare off pests and fight pathogenic microflora, including such a common fungus as late blight.

When planting these plants, depending on the variety, certain conditions are observed. So between tall marigolds, you need to adhere to a distance of about 40 cm, between medium-sized plants they stand 30 cm, and low velvet marigolds are seated at a distance of 15-20 cm.

We grow marigold seedlings

If you want to get flowering plants early, then you need to sow seeds for seedlings. They do this in late March or early April, when daylight hours increase so that the marigolds have enough sun for full growth.

The primer can be selected ready-to-use or universal. If you prefer to use land from your site or forest land, then you must decontaminate it. To do this, use a pink solution of potassium permanganate, or spill it with boiling water several times. Containers can be immediately taken deeper; on the bottom it is necessary to put a drainage layer of expanded clay or other material.

In wet soil, grooves are made one centimeter deep, spread the seeds and covered with soil. Next, the crops are moistened from the pulverizer so as not to erode the soil. For germination of marigold seeds, a temperature of 20 degrees is suitable. Boxes with seedlings are covered with a film with small cuts so that moisture evaporates less.

Within about five, seven days, depending on the variety, the marigolds will sprout. Now the container can be transferred to well-lit places, with a temperature of 15-18 degrees. Most likely, in the apartment this will be a place on the windowsill. After the plants have 2-3 pairs of real leaves, the plantings can be thinned out by replanting excess plants into another container.

Seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place in mid or late May. But flower growers should pay attention to the weather forecast, and if there is a threat of frost, the plants are covered with high-density material or plastic wrap.

Care

Marigolds have bright and beautiful flowers, delicate foliage, but many growers decide to plant these plants due to the fact that they do not need special care. Flowers easily tolerate dry days, temperature changes, grow well, bloom profusely and do not get sick. Plants also do not need feeding. Caring for velvet flowers consists in weeding, watering and removing faded buds in order to provoke a longer flowering.

Growing and caring for these flowers is not difficult at all. And there are a lot of varieties of marigolds, so everyone will find a suitable option.

See also: "Subulate phlox: planting and care"

Marigolds (tagetes) have long earned their place in dachas and household plots. They are loved for their unpretentiousness, abundant and long flowering. In nature, there are about 50 varieties of this plant.There are 3 types of cultivated varieties:

1. thin-leaved,
2. rejected
3. and upright.

Marigolds are thin-leaved varieties

Of the three cultivated species of marigolds, thin-leaved ones are the least common. They are most common in Mexico, for which they got their name - Mexican. Their inflorescences are small, the leaves are strongly dissected, openwork. Due to this structure of the leaves, the bush looks light, almost weightless, and numerous flowers seem to be suspended in the air.

Thin-leaved marigolds are used in landscape design to create flower beds - a rabatok. Each bush looks like yellow, orange, red-yellow and even white fireworks in a flower bed. These varieties are undersized marigolds, about 20-40 cm, strongly curly. The smell is pleasant and not as pungent as other types of tagetes.

The best thin-leaved marigold varieties:

• Lemon gem (lemon-yellow inflorescences on dwarf bushes),
• Starfire (dwarf (about 15 cm) bushes with dark orange flowers),
• Mimimix,
• Karina orange,
• Golden Ring (40-50 cm),
• Dwarf.

Rejected marigolds (French) varieties

Low-growing marigold varieties belong mainly to this species. The maximum height of the bushes is 60 cm. Rejected terry marigolds abundantly cover the bushes, which, when tightly planted, form a low hedge. Therefore, they are often used for casing paths, curbs, curbs, chain-link fences and other fences. They are most often found in gardens and in personal plots. Rejected marigolds have a varied, often combined color. Medium-sized inflorescences - 3-3.5 cm in diameter. The most popular among gardeners today are marigolds, undersized, large-flowered. Much attention is paid to the breeding of such varieties. They have a rather pungent odor.

Note to the gardener: the spicy smell of marigolds is very disliked by bugs and Colorado beetles. When planting potatoes and tomatoes, which striped pests like to feast on, you can take this into account and build a kind of buffer zone from marigolds, free from Colorado beetles.

Of the rejected varieties, you should pay attention to:

• Gold Copchen (terry),
• Gold Ball (plain or semi-double),
• Bonanza (terry),
• Carmen (terry).

French marigold varieties

Erect marigolds (African)

High ornamental varieties of Tagetes, inflorescences are mostly monochromatic, large (up to 15 cm), grown for cut (cut varieties). The height of the bushes is from 30 to 120 cm. All flowers are double. White marigolds for flower gourmets are erect. They look very beautiful in a flower garden both independently and with other varieties. Using the best varieties of marigolds of different types, colors and heights, you can build a multi-tiered flower bed.

Marigolds erect varieties:

• Goldlicht (large bright orange flowers),
• Kilimanjaro (a rare species of tall, white, terry marigolds),
• Eskimo (white marigolds with a bush height of about 30-40 cm),
• Sonnenschein (lemon yellow inflorescence on a relatively low bush),
• Vanilla (white, large, about 12 cm in diameter, inflorescences).

Perennial marigolds. Planting and caring for marigolds

Tagetis is a sun- and heat-loving plant. In Mexico, America and Africa, where marigolds grow naturally, it is perennial. In our climatic conditions, marigolds can only be grown as annuals, because they are not able to overwinter in the soil. The perennial effect creates the fact that marigolds abundantly throw out their seeds, which do not lose their vitality over the winter and sprout independently in the spring in the same place.

In open ground, marigolds are planted with seedlings or seeds. You will need to start sowing seedlings in February. This option is suitable for "industrial production" for the purpose of centralized landscaping of large cities, when small bushes of seedlings with the first flowers are planted in the ground.At home, marigolds are planted with seeds immediately in open ground in May, and in early June they already begin to bloom. Marigolds are very unpretentious: they feel good both in the shade and in the sun, they are unpretentious to watering, they can be transplanted without harm even during the flowering period.

After the inflorescence dries, do not forget to collect the seeds so that the flowers will delight you next year. Marigolds are cross-pollinated. If you have planted varietal marigolds of different colors in one place, then be prepared for the fact that by planting the collected seeds next year, you can get a completely new and completely unexpected color of inflorescences. Therefore, in order to preserve the color of varietal marigolds, it is necessary to prevent them from pollination with flowers of a different color. To do this, bushes of different colors must be planted in a flower bed as far as possible from each other.

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