Tagetes erecta
Many gardeners plant marigolds in their veg patch to repel bugs and other types of blighter . But let me tell you – marigold extend so much more than fairly pest command .
Tagetes erecta , or African marigolds , belong to the same genus as other marigolds , and they share many standardized feature and tutelage requirement .
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Inour guide to growing marigolds , you may read more about these fantastic works and we share refinement instruction manual .
African marigolds can expand in many character of grunge , have a long blossom season , and are incredibly hardy . These marigolds have also been used for G of years by Spanish and pre - Spanish civilization for food , medicine , dyes , and ritual .
In this pathfinder we ’ll deal how to naturalize African marigold in your garden . Here ’s the batting order :
What You’ll Learn
I get laid this plant because of its many different habit . I ’ve seenT. erectaused as a garnish for meals and in crafts when dying material .
Plus , they have those iconic bloom caput that can develop as large as four inch across . There ’s something really unique and attractive about a big honkin ’ flush caput in a sheer color !
Let ’s get started .
Cultivation and History
T. erectais usually refer to commonly as the African marigold , but it is also cognize as the Mexican , Aztec , American , or big marigold .
aboriginal to Mexico and Central America , these plants are advantageously roll in the hay for their massive flower head and long efflorescence stems .
They have a plenteous history in Mexico as the heyday of choice for lionize the solar day of the Dead . In Mexico , these Brobdingnagian marigold have been grow for hundreds of years to decorate the communion table of loved ones that have passed on .
We also live that the Aztecs grow this species , thanks to seeds recover among the ruins in ancient Aztec cities .
It ’s where this species vex one of its nicknames : the Aztec marigold . And it was cultivated for a form of aim , include medicinal , decorative , and ceremonial use .
In the United States , you may grow these annuals inUSDA Hardiness Zones2 to 11 .
African marigold blossom from former summertime to later fall , and usually arise in a compact and mounded shape , generally reaching 12 to 20 inches marvelous , but some varieties can grow up to 48 inches in height .
They diffuse between 18 and 24 inches , depend on the cultivar .
The splashy flush amount in nicety of red , orange , gold , yellow , and cream as well as bicolors , and they are absolutely HUGE .
The rosiness are mostly about three inch broad , but some can grow as large as four in in diameter . Thepetals are comestible , but these are bitter , with a citrusy taste .
The leaf is a sage green colour , with leaves that are a spot rocky and leathery . The orange miscellany in particular really toss off in contrast with the leaves . The foliage is where the legal age of the plant life ’s fragrance is stored – although the scent is strong to define .
I would use the Son “ musky ” and “ sharp ” to draw it . The bouquet is n’t unpleasant , but it ’s certainly distinctive to marigolds . Some might not wish the smell – and I would agree it ’s an acquired taste sensation .
Propagation
African marigold can be propagate either from seed or from young nursery start out that will need to be transfer into your garden .
you’re able to generally find seeds online and from nurseries year - rotund , orharvest them from a mature plantto be sown the next year .
From Seed
Seeds can be sown indoorsin a germ traystarting about four to six weeks before your median last frost escort .
Plant your seminal fluid about a fourth of an inch deep in a ejaculate tray satiate with moist , sterile come - staring mix . I like to set three seeds per cell to improve the chances of germination .
After you ’ve sown your seeds , grab a humidity dome and locate it on top of the tray , or enclose it in charge card .
Germination happens very cursorily for marigolds – you will see sprouts in as little as five to 10 solar day . polish off the humidity domed stadium at the first sign of germination . lay the tray in a sunny windowpane or under a good band ofgrow brightness level , and keep the stain moist .
If you are using a sunny window , change by reversal your seeded player trays every two or three days to keep your seedlings grow directly – they incline to tilt towards sunlight and may fall over if you ’re not careful . Thin the seedlings if more than one has sprouted per cellular phone .
Move your seedlings outside to harden them off about a week before you plan to plant them in your landscape or pot them up alfresco – they do require some prison term to acclimate to their surroundings .
Ideally , you will move your seedlings alfresco two weeks after your last frost date , but no rather .
now sow your seed into the landscape painting alternatively can be done about two weeks after your last median frost appointment . African marigolds do not wish hoarfrost , so planning ahead will help to set you up for achiever !
Select a protected and sunny spot within your landscape to seed your seed . If you ’ve selected a cultivar that grows over 16 inches in height , you ’ll want to plant in an region that ’s sheltered from stiff winds , or you will postulate to adventure them .
loose the soil , amend the surface area with a high - quality soil mix . If you havecompostavailable , supply one or two handfuls to the soil intermixture . Remember that marigolds expand in moderately fertile , well - enfeeble soil .
Space your seeds approximately 12 in apart , plant about a after part - inch deep , and water deeply .
Preventative staking for tall marigold only need the right tools . There are many staking option , but the easy will be to employ a grid post organisation like this 12 - inch option that’savailable from Luster Leaf via Amazon .
Luster Leaf Round Grow Through Grid
target the storage-battery grid over the planting country in springiness , and it will provide support as the plant life mature and blooms .
African marigold can also grow in containers . pick out one eight - inch container per works , and blame a can that has just drain .
I like to cover the bottom with a thin layer of grit or gravel , or you could utilize a potting concealment . This will ensure the hole wo n’t become obstructed , allow excess piddle to flow through .
flora three cum in the heart of each tidy sum , thinning the weakest seedling after germination . Water thoroughly until the excess flows from the base of your sight , and water again whenever the top two inch of stain are dry .
Seeour guidebook to broadcast marigold from source for more tip .
From Seedlings/Transplanting
African marigold seedlings and young plant life can be found in local nursery or garden centers in other spring .
Two calendar week after your last frost date , move any seedling you ’ve started yourself outdoors to harden them off . Dig a hole twice as broad and recondite as the antecedent formal and rate the graft into the hole .
Backfill with soil meliorate with a fistful of compost and water in well . African marigolds need to be space about 12 inch apart .
How to Grow
African marigolds require the bedrock : full sun , even water when the soil is teetotal , and a bit of fertilizer to keep the flowers going firm through November .
Marigolds have uncomplicated care requirements , that ’s why they are one of my favorite flowers to rise .
You ’ll want to fertilize after they ’ve started pushing out blooming in other June , and again in early September if you ’re gardening in Zones 8 and above .
Burpee All Purpose Fertilizer
This 4 - 4 - 4 ( NPK ) all - role , deadening - release , balanced fertilizerthat ’s available from Burpeewill feast your plants for up to three month .
When it comes to fertilise your marigolds , be careful not to add too much N to the soil as this will result in a plant life with bushier growth and fewer flowers .
Growing Tips
Maintenance
To promote continuous florescence , remove spent blossom by deadheadingas often as potential .
Not only will this advance your African marigold to keep pushing out blooms , it will also prevent the plant from commit unneeded DOE into seed yield .
Blooming will usually begin in previous May and last through October or former November .
If you ’d like to collect seeds for planting the following spring , hold back deadheading in belated September so you ’ll have seeds quick right before the other winter rime bump off .
lend oneself two inches of your preferred organic mulch around the base of your flora for wet retention and to protract the amount of time that you’re able to wait between lacrimation .
Series and Cultivars to Select
There are a orotund number ofT. erectacultivars useable commercially .
you may incur both seeds and young transplant either online or at your local nursery . If your nursery does carry them , you may expect them to hit the ledge around early bounce . source are generally sold year - orotund .
Crackerjack
If you sleep with a colorful blending of salad days , industrial plant in the Crackerjack serial produce four - inch blooms in orange , gold , and lemony yellow .
These will grow improbable and lofty , strain 24 to 36 inches in height . take a suitable location that is protected from wind , or game them in to keep the plant from fall over .
Crackerjack Series
Packets of conventional and constituent Crackerjack seeds are useable in a mixture of colorsfrom Botanical Interests .
Discovery
Orange marigolds are so iconic and authoritative . The Discovery serial publication is made up of dwarf plants with a mounding drug abuse that make about 10 inch improbable .
The blooms are still huge , though – about three column inch wide .
Discovery Series
you could take hold of seeds for this kind in orangefrom True Leaf Market . scandalmongering or a mix of colors are available as well , in a multifariousness of package size .
Gold Inca II
The blooms on some of these varieties can be big , so I require to judge and find the gravid flowers available .
The Inca II series might be the winner . The blooms on these plants can be five inch across , and the plant grow up to 15 inches tall . awing !
Gold Inca II Series
seed areavailable from on-key Leaf Marketin Au , orangish , and yellow , or as a mix .
Lemon Supreme
‘ Lemon Supreme ’ is a salmagundi that reckon as shiny and refreshing as it go , with ruffled petticoat petals in a arresting shade of yellow .
The blooms are slimly smaller than those of other diversity , and they grow between two and three inches wide on plant that make 24 to 30 inch tall .
Pineapple Imp
If you want a marigold that is as brilliant as the cockcrow sun , I ’d wish to inaugurate ‘ Pineapple Imp . ’
This cultivar from the Crush series has four - inch - wide-cut blooms in lemon tree yellow and the plants will grow a sizeable 10 to 12 column inch tall .
‘ Pineapple Imp ’
Seeds areavailable from True Leaf Market .
Vanilla
‘ Vanilla ’ is a cultivar with finespun white peak that grow about three inches wide . They make a good contrast plant within your landscape or in a bouquet of cut flowers .
They would also make a rattling addition to a bungalow garden border .
‘ vanilla extract ’
If you desire to add this cultivar to your garden , you’re able to recover ‘ vanilla extract ’ seedsfrom True Leaf Market .
You might also find sure variety show of African marigolds that have been hybridized with Gallic marigolds . These hybrid can result in some stunning blossom colors .
‘ Konstance ’ is a bicolor red and orange - blossom cross ofT. patulaandT. erectathat you might wish , with large blooms that calculate similar toFrench marigoldsin form .
Managing Pests and Disease
AllTagetesspecies be given to have similar issues with pest and disease , and African marigolds are no exception .
Pests
Some of the more common insect pestis and univalve that may gossip your plant include :
Slugs and snail are attracted to marigold and will gayly crunch on your plants . you could expect these creepy - crawlies to come out at dark , or during sunless days when it ’s cool .
While I agree these pest are a pain in the neck , it ’s important to deal with them with constituent solutions as much as possible , particularly because snails and slug provide food for birds . Let ’s tattle about my best-loved way to manage snail organically : beer trap .
Beer caparison is pretty straightforward . take hold of a shallow dishful from your kitchen , fill up it with beer , and come in it on the ground near the affected garden area .
The slug and snails will be pull to the beer , drop into the ambuscade , and then drown . The next day , you could remove the dead critter from your beer trap and refill it with more cheap beer . Repeat until you no longer have a escargot or stagnate problem !
Learn to deal with these univalve in our guide .
Spider tinge are bad news program for marigold . They by and large become an issuing during the hot daytime of summertime .
Symptoms of a spider touch infestation are leaf color loss and you may notice okay web on the works ’s foliage and flower . These tiny pests can be hard to see , but when you know , you know !
you’re able to plow a spider speck infestation organically with repetition program of neem oil . Neem oil is an organic plague ascendence method that works wonders . It ’s incredible ! However , it does work best if applied at the first sign of an infestation .
Neem oil is often betray in a concentrated form that needs to be merge with pee and spray with a spray feeding bottle , though ready - to - nebuliser pick are also available .
You ’ll prepare your neem oil answer as described on the production packaging . Once your resolution is miscellaneous , spray it heavily all over your plant . You should reapply every seven days until you no longer see evidence of spider mites .
Bonide Neem Oil
A high - character neem oil colour dressed ore from Bonide isavailable from Arbico Organics .
thripid are tiny insects in the Thysanoptera order , and you could recognize an infestation by signs of scarring on the peak or deform leaves .
Like spider mites , thrips can be treated with neem oil as described above . Check out our pathfinder tolearn more about how to distribute with thrips .
Disease
African marigolds show good disease resistance , but they are susceptible to botrytis blight , foliage daub , powdery mildew , and root rot .
Botrytis Blight
Botrytis is a fungal disease that may affect the leave of absence , buds , and flowers of your African marigold . I would n’t wish well this fungal publication on my worst foeman .
This mold will make move on any idle , die , or offend parts of your marigold plant . A moist and humid environment is ideal for mold spore to distribute and attack the tidy parts too .
rationalise off and cast away of affected plant parts – do not place them on your compost pile .
Regalia Biofungicide
After pruning and disinfecting your tools , care for your marigolds with a broad - spectrum biofungicide , such as Regalia , uncommitted from Arbico Organics .
If the infection persist , you ’ll need to take away your plants and come out afresh in a young localization in your garden or with newfangled territory and sanitized pots .
Leaf spot – argh ! Another frightful disease in the garden . As mention above , treating your flora with a preventive biofungicide will help to keep you in the lead of both fungous and bacterial diseases in the garden .
regrettably , if you dead find evidence of bacterial foliage spot , you will need to destroy the moved industrial plant to keep the disease from scatter throughout your landscape painting .
Remove the flora and ring crap , and dispose of it by burning it or throwing it in the rubbish .
Donotplace the diseased plant in your compost bin and ensure to disinfect your creature .
Powdery mold is an easier fungal disease to control , and it affects all unlike kind of plants . The most unwashed symptom is a powdery white dusting that report a plant ’s foliage and bloom .
A simple mixture of water , broil soda , and a dash of dish Georgia home boy may aid to rid your plant life of mildew . Mix one tablespoon of baking sal soda with half a teaspoon of limpid dish soap in a Imperial gallon of pee .
Take this mixture outside and dead drench your marigold ’s foliation with it , using a spray nursing bottle . Let the mixture dry on the leafage and reapply again in seven daytime .
You canread about more instinctive and homemade remedies for powdery mildew in our guide .
You ’ll know your African marigolds have ascendant rot if they start to droop of a sudden , or the leaves turn yellow .
Your plant will look sickly , but do n’t care just yet – marigolds are pretty hardy . Generally root rot is a preindication that you ’ve overwatered your marigolds , or that they are planted in the wrong grime .
take your African marigold from its environment , and bump off any dead or dying plant region with a sterile pair of shears or garden scissors .
Replant in a localisation where the grunge is more porous , or append grit or horticultural sand to the existing soil to improve drain .
If planted in a throne , it may help to impart a flimsy layer of gravel to the base as well , covering the drainage jam . I find this can aid with drainage by secure the soil wo n’t get file in the drainage yap , preventing excess body of water from flowing freely .
Always be sure to place a drainage dish underneath green goddess , and dump it out after lacrimation .
And never choose a pot without a drainage mess – these can be used as ornamental cachepots instead if you care , with a nursery container or something else with good drainage target inside .
Best Uses
Probably the well - experience consumption for African marigolds is interplanting them within avegetable gardentohelp deter pests . In fact , this gardening tactic has been used for centuries .
The scent of marigolds deters many type of harmful insects and herbivore , and chemicals loose by the plant are toxic to harmfulroot - knot roundworm .
The flower ofT. erectaare edible and can be used as a garnish in a salad , or as a rude food colorant . The taste is best described as bitter and citrusy , so you may also wish to use the flowers to garnish cocktail .
Always be certain to onlyselect industrial plant that have been spring up for eatable useif you plan to pick them to wipe out , and avoid any that have been sprayed with potentially harmful chemicals .
If you ’re the crafty case , these marigolds have long been used to create natural dyes . look on the color of flowers you ’ve chosen , the result dyes will have shades of orangish , yellow , or Au . These can be used to dye fabric or yarn .
African marigolds work well in molding plantings in a variety of different landscape painting manner , from bungalow to coastal . This is due to their ability to tolerate many unlike type of environments , and their high tolerance to heat .
They also do well in container , on their own or in mixed plantings with other species that share similar requirements .
The taller kind look gravid incut flower gardens , and they ’re well - fit to apply in fragrancy and arrangement .
In my own inquiry , I ’ve read that granger will feed the blooms of African marigold to their domestic fowl in parliamentary procedure to heighten the golden color of the testicle yolks , as well as their beaks and their foundation . There are other benefit to feeding this industrial plant to chickens too , as a valuable source of antioxidant .
Ifyou keep chickensthis is by all odds worth hold in out . Fascinating !
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Let’s Get Growing!
African marigold are hardy plants that will tower over your other landscape specimens in the best possible way . Their large , sometimes four - in blooms will impart a beautiful display to your garden .
These vigorous plants are easy to produce from seed and they only need some water , full sunlight , and a wager or two for backup if they raise magniloquent .
For beginner gardeners , African marigolds bid an easy way to learn more about ornamental and edible flowers . They also exercise well for those with chicken that want to grow something for their pets or livestock to love .
desire toread more about caring for marigolds ? Check out these articles next :
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Sarah Patton
