When to sow marigolds for seedlings and how to grow them
Until now, marigolds remain one of the favorite garden crops. Their peculiar coloring of different shades creates a festive mood and perfectly decorates lawns and flower beds. Marigolds are not capricious, fast-growing and do not require special care. Growing such flowers is not difficult at all and you can experience great pleasure at the same time.
Content:
- Seedling method of breeding marigolds
- Special requirements for the cultivation of marigolds
- What is the secret of the popularity of marigolds
In decorative floriculture, hybrid varieties are mainly used, of which there are more than 50 different species. The varieties are especially popular among flower growers: Anise, Upright, French and others.
Seedling method of breeding marigolds
You can breed marigolds seeds, sowing them directly into the ground, or you can grow seedlings, thereby regulating the flowering time. Sowing seeds for seedlings can already begin from the end of February, adjusting the timing depending on the local climate, given that the plants will begin to bloom in 70-75 days.
Such a simple method as sowing at different times and planting seedlings will provide constantly blooming flower beds until late autumn or the first frost. For example, you can replace faded tulips or hyacinths with multi-colored marigolds.
For growing seedlings use seedling boxes. The bottom of the container is lined with paper, a small drainage layer of expanded clay, crushed stone or coarse sand is placed and covered with soil. It is advisable to sprinkle the top layer with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will protect young seedlings from fungal diseases. The boxes with the soil mixture are kept at room temperature for 2-3 days. After that, you can sow the seeds.
The seeds of marigolds are large enough, therefore, they should be embedded in the ground to a depth of 0.8-1.0 cm. The planted seeds are watered and covered with transparent glass or ordinary film. If several varieties are sown, it is advisable to sow each variety in separate grooves at a sufficient distance from each other. Mark each groove with a label indicating the sowing date, variety and type of flowers.
Mostly shoots begin to appear on the 5th day.
As soon as the plants have risen together, the box is opened and placed on the illuminated area. This can be any place where the sun's rays will give their warmth, for example, on a balcony. Adequate lighting will provide the plant with a rich decorative color in the future.
When marigolds have two full leaves, they are ready to dive. When picking, the seedlings are buried to the level of the cotyledons. This will provide the plant with better root formation. The distance between seedlings should be 4-5cm.
At this stage, the plants will need feeding. You need to choose the right type of fertilizer. If the seedlings are elongated, "lanky", do not feed them with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
Seedlings can be hardened. But this should be done carefully, since marigolds are afraid of frost, drafts and wind. If the weather is moderate, warm, then you can leave the seedlings "for the night" in the open air.
Marigold they are afraid of frost, therefore, they are planted in open ground at the age of 1-1.5 months, when the frosts have already stopped and warm days have come. Usually the dates coincide with the end of May - the beginning of June.In order for the plants to take root quickly, you need to provide them with moderate watering.
Special requirements for the cultivation of marigolds
Marigolds are quite drought-resistant and very thermophilic. When the thermometer drops below +10 C, the leaves are covered with anthocyanin bloom and the growth of the plant stops. At a temperature of -2 C, flowers may even die.
Marigolds prefer light, loose and nutrient-rich soil. For favorable plant growth, a mixture consisting of earth, peat, humus and river sand is better suited.
Plants do not like excess moisture. During heavy rains, flowers can rot and die. And uncontrolled watering can lead to root disease with fungal diseases, including black leg, and the death of the plant.
Plants need feeding, which is sufficient once a week.
What is the secret of the popularity of marigolds
The special properties of marigolds have long attracted people and are used by them for various purposes. Due to its specific smell and insecticidal properties, the plant is used for pest control. No wonder he was dubbed the "orderly" of the garden. The property of marigolds to produce phytoncides is used by many gardeners to scare away harmful insects from vegetable crops.
A decoction of marigolds is sprayed with seedlings of levkoy and asterssaving from garden pests. They also disinfect the bulbs. gladioli.
Marigolds keep well when cut for about 22-25 days and are therefore widely used for cutting. In some countries, marigolds are used as spices and as a raw material for essential oils.
Marigolds on the site are not only decorative bright flowers, but also a source of insecticides, herbicides and an excellent spice with a specific taste.