Marigold is a striking annual plant to grow in the garden or a pot. They have beautiful flowers in bright colors like yellow or orange. Also, it is possible to get the flowering of this plant throughout the year. The name popularly knows it of Wonder and not only makes our eyes happy with its striking flowers, but they provide a delicious aroma and have a soft texture. In this article, we will find out more about the marigold plant, its care and what it is for.
Marigold facts and care
Marigold is a plant that can be grown well in the garden or a pot inside the home. It is possible to get an adult plant with flowers for a very affordable price. However, they can also be planted by seeds in spring.
To sow marigold and get the plant to grow well, the first step is to choose a good seedbed, which can be a tray of pyrex pan, glasses of yogurt, milk containers, pots or other types of containers, but making sure that they can make holes for water drainage. This seedbed must be filled to the top with a seedbed substrate or with a universal crop substrate, easily found in any nursery. Subsequently, this land should be irrigated until it is well soaked but not flooded. Next, we must place two seeds per socket or seedbed and cover them with a layer of substrate 0.5 cm thick.
Once we have done all this, we must water it with a sprayer or place it on a tray and water it underneath. Finally, our seedbed should be placed in an area where the sun is direct. With regular watering, the seeds can germinate in one or two weeks at a temperature of 20ºC. When the plants reach about five centimeters, they can already be transplanted.
Marigold care
This plant is quite resistant and does not need much care. However, among the basic care of Marigold, we can highlight the following recommendations:
Location and light: it is advisable to place it outside or in an area where you can sunbathe directly.
Watering: should be frequent in summer and more scarce during the other months. Generally, it is recommended 3 or 4 irrigations per week in the hottest months and 2 or 3 the rest of the year.
Substrate: This plant is not demanding in terms of the substrate; the most important thing is that it has good drainage. If grown in a pot, the first layer of expanded clay balls can be cast.
Fertilization: it is only advisable to pay from spring to late summer with fertilizer for flowering plants.
Reproduction: the multiplication of this plant is by seeds during spring or, you can plant cuttings with a part of the roots.
Time to plant marigold: spring is the time to plant.
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Marigold pests and diseases
As for common pests in the marigold, this plant can suffer yellow, brown, or green aphids, which perch and deform the newest flowers and leaves. To scare them away, you can mix 100 grams of nettles with 1 liter of water and spray it on the plant.
Another common pest is the whitefly, which perches on the leaves and yellows them as they spread a sticky substance. It is possible to scare them off by yellow color traps.
Among the diseases that Marigolds suffer include:
Botrytis fungus: among those that live in a humid environment. To avoid them, irrigation should be controlled and if the leaves are covered with mold, systemic fungicides should be cut and applied.
Bold fungus: aphids transmit this fungus. To eliminate them, they must chase away aphids first.
Rust: brown-reddish pustules appear on the leaves and stems. Before the smallest symptom, a fungicide should be applied.
The most cultivated variety is Marigold officinal is and is a perennial or annual aromatic herbaceous plant, depending on the climatic conditions. It is classified within the Asteraceae family of plants and is popularly known also with the names of marigold, market or golden button.
The stem of this plant can reach a height between 20 cm and 55 cm and develops upright. Its leaves are simple, oblong-lanceolate, alternate and with a length that reaches between 7 cm and 14 cm and between 1 cm and 4 cm wide. Its flowers can grow throughout the year if the weather is mild, and else they sprout mainly during spring and summer. These form inflorescences that are grouped in chapters between 3 cm and 5 cm wide and the flowers are yellow and orange. Its seeds are small, approximately 1 cm in size, C-shaped and brown.
Tags: Marigold care, Marigold facts, marigold flowers
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