How to Grow Marigolds From Seeds

 

One of the easiest and rewarding flowers you can grow from seeds is Marigold plants. Marigolds actually have bright yellow, orange, red, and gold blooms that add color to gardens, borders, pots, and vegetable beds. Marigold plants grow quickly, bloom for months, and the plants are suitable for beginners because they actually require very little maintenance once they are established.

Furthermore, Marigold plants belong to the Tagetes genus and the plants are popular because they really tolerate heat, and they can resist a lot of pests, and the flower continuously throughout the growing season. The Marigold plants are really an excellent choice for you if you want to decorate your garden or attract pollinators, or as companion plant with vegetables.

Different Types of Marigold Plants

Before you get started it is very important you understand the main types of marigolds:

The African Marigolds Varieties

The African marigold plants are tall plants with large pom-pom flowers. The African marigold plants can actually grow up to three feet tall and they are perfect for flower beds and borders.

The French Marigolds Varieties

The French marigold plants are smaller and bushier. The French marigold plants produce a lot of blooms and they are actually ideal for containers, edging, and companion planting.   

The Signet Marigolds Varieties

The Signet marigolds plants have delicate foliage and small flowers. Some of the varieties of the French marigold plants are edible and they have a citrus-like flavor.

Also read: How to Grow Coneflowers From Seed

The Best Time to Grow Marigold Plant Seeds

The Marigold plants really love warm weather and they ought to be planted after the danger of frost has passed. The Marigold plants grow best in temperature that is between 18°C and 30°C.

In most warm tropical regions like some countries in Africa, the marigold plants can be easily grown almost year-round, but they actually perform best during periods with moderate rainfall and also ample of sunshine.

You can also:

·  Start the Marigold plants seeds indoors four to six weeks before transplanting

·  Sow the Marigold plants seeds directly into the garden after the soil warms

Direct sowing the Marigold plants seeds is the easiest method and it works very well for marigolds.

Choosing the Right Location For Planting

The Marigold plants really thrive in full sunlight. Make sure you choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sun daily.

The soil for planting should be:

·  A Well-draining soil

·  Loose and also fertile

·  Slightly moist but not waterlogged because this can cause another problem

Although the marigold plants can tolerate poor soil, the plants actually bloom better in moderately fertile soil.

Preparing the Soil For Planting

You need to prepare the planting area before sowing the Marigold plants seeds.

1.    You need to remove weeds and grass

2.    You need to loosen the soil to a depth of about six to eight inches

3.    You can mix in compost or a well-rotted organic matter

4.    Make sure you level the surface gently

Make sure you avoid adding too much nitrogen fertilizer because it can easily encourage leafy growth instead of flowers.

How to Grow Marigold Plant Seeds

The Marigold plant seeds are long, thin, and they are very easy to handle.

Direct Sowing The Marigold Plant Seeds Outdoors

1.    You need to make a shallow holes or rows of about ¼ inch deep

2.    Place the Marigold plants seeds about one inch apart

3.    Then cover them lightly with soil

4.    Then water them gently

Make sure you keep the soil slightly moist until the Marigold seeds germination.

Starting The Marigolds Seeds Indoors

If you are starting the Marigold seeds indoors:

1.    You need to fill your seed trays or small pots with seed-starting mix

2.    Plant the Marigold seeds about  ¼ inch deep

3.    Then water them lightly

4.    Make sure you place the tray in a warm, sunny location

The Marigold plant seeds usually germinate within five to ten days.

Once the Marigold plant seedlings develop two to three true leaves you can carefully transplant them outdoors.

Spacing The Marigold Plants

A proper spacing actually helps to improve airflow and reduces disease problems on the Marigold plant.

Marigold plants recommended spacing:

·  The French marigold plants: six to ten inches apart

·  The African marigold plants: ten to eighteen inches apart

·  The Signet marigold plant : eight to twelve inches apart

Make sure you try as much as possible to avoid overcrowding because it can lead to fungal diseases.

Watering Marigold Plants

The Marigold plants are fairly drought tolerant after they are established, but the young Marigold plant seedlings really need regular watering.

Marigold plants watering Tips

·  You need to water them deeply but not too frequently

·  You actually need to allow the topsoil to dry slightly between watering

·  Make sure you water at the base of the plant

·  Make sure you avoid wetting the leaves too often

Actually, too much water can easily cause root rot or fungal diseases on the Marigold plants.

During the period of hot weather the container-grown marigold plants may actually need daily watering.

Fertilizing Marigold Plants

The Marigold plants are light feeders and they typically do not really require heavy fertilization.

In other to encourage healthy blooms:

·  You can easily add compost before planting

·  You can also use a good balanced fertilizer once or twice during the season

·  Make sure you avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers

Don’t forget that excess fertilizer often produces lush leaves with fewer flowers.

Mulching The Plant

Adding mulch around the marigold plants can help:

·  The plant retain moisture

·  Reduce weeds around the plant

·  Keep the soil temperatures very stable

Actually organic mulches like dry grass, straw, or bark really work well.

Make sure you keep mulch slightly away from the Marigold plant stems in other to prevent rot.

Caring for Marigold Plants

The Marigold plants are really easy to maintain and they actually require only basic care.

Deadheading The Plants

You can easily remove faded flowers regularly. This process of removing faded flowers regularly is called deadheading and it actually encourages the plant to produce more blooms.

You can simply pinch or cut off the old Marigold flowers above a leaf node.

Pruning The Plants

If the Marigold plants become leggy you can carefully trim the stems lightly in other to encourage bushier growth.

Supporting The Tall Marigold Varieties

The tall African marigold plants may actually need staking in windy areas because their large blooms can make the plant stems bend easily.

Also read: How to Grow an Amaryllis From Seed

The Common Problems When Growing Marigold Plants

The Marigold plants are usually resistant to pests and diseases, although some issues can still occur.

The Aphids

Aphids are insects suck plant sap and they weaken the growth of the plant.

The solution:

·         You can use insecticidal soap if needed

·         You can spray the Marigold plants with water

The Spider Mites

The spider mites actually thrive in hot, dry conditions.

The solution:

·  You can increase humidity around the Marigold plants

·  You can easily spray the leaves with water

Powdery Mildew

This fungal disease actually appears as a white powder on the Marigold plant leaves.

The solution:

·  You need to improve air circulation around the plant

·  Make sure you avoid overhead watering

Root Rot

This is usually caused by overwatering of the plant or poorly drained soil.

The solution:

·  You need to reduce watering

·  Make sure you improve soil drainage