marigold are a darling heyday known for their shiny , cheerful blooms that come in tincture of yellow-bellied , orangish , red and more . Thesecompact plants are extremely democratic in family garden because they ’re leisurely to grow , flower all time of year long and can brighten up any landscape .
However , some nurseryman end up with marigold that mature much taller and lankier than expected . If your marigolds have bolted skywards this year , you may be wondering — why are my marigolds growing so tall ?
There are a few fundamental reasons why marigold plants can finish up stretching themselves a lot tall than their distinctive altitude Read on to bump out the principal factors that do leggy marigold growth , along with tips to trouble-shoot oversized plant
Genetics Play a Role
One of the most obvious reasons why some marigolds originate quite tall is genetic science . There are infinite marigold salmagundi out there , and they by nature alter quite a chip in their size bloom colours and growth habits .
Some marigold species and cultivars are simply genetically predispose to tall heights Here are a few examples
African marigolds(Tagetes erecta ) are known for their large , pom pommy - like flower heads . Most form spring up over 2 foot tall .
French marigolds(Tagetes patula ) are more compact , typically reaching 6 to 18 inches tall . However , some French marigold varieties can grow up to 3 feet tall if conditions are ideal .
Signet marigolds(Tagetes tenuifolia ) are the little type , with most change maturing around 1 invertebrate foot tall . But even these can get rangy and exceed 12 inches .
So if you plant a diverseness label as “ marvelous ” or you ’re produce boastfully - flowered African marigolds , genetic science could very well be the reason for the impressive erect growth .
Too Much Fertilizer Feeds Leggy Growth
gift marigolds too much plant food can also make them to load their stems and grow much taller than normal . This is especially true if using plant food that are high in N .
Nitrogenis headstone for promoting leafy outgrowth and vigor . But use too much , and works rivet their energy on rapidly producing foliage and tall stems rather than flowers .
Organic fertilizers like compost and manure release nitrogen more moderately over clip . But chemical plant food can provide a sudden N jolt that spurs bolting if overapplied .
Insufficient Sunlight Triggers Stretching
Marigolds flourish well in full Lord’s Day — at least 6 hr of direct sun per day . Without enough idle exposure , the flora can start stretching and etiolating as they desperately try contact for more sunshine .
constituent liketoo much shadefrom Tree , buildings or other plant can limit the amount of sun marigold receive . overcrowd plants together can also create competition for sun .
If your marigolds are n’t getting sufficient sun accession , they ’ll start climbing skyward . Try relocating plants to the sunniest part of your garden for stockier growth .
Spacing Issues Cause Crowding Stress
On the impudent side , planting marigolds too close together can also trigger leggy growth . Crowdingputs plants under stress as they compete for resource like brightness level , water and nutrients .
To gain the sunlight above neighboring plants , crowded marigolds will bolt up . Nearby plants also limit aura circulation , which can further stimulate stretching .
cautiously follow marigold spacing guidelines on seed packets or industrial plant tag . As a formula of thumb , leave 6 to 12 column inch between small French marigolds and up to 2 feet between large African marigold miscellanea .
Excess Moisture Prompts Vertical Growth
Proper watering is essential for healthy marigolds . Butoverwateringor weighty rainfall can conduce to too tall plants with sparse flowers .
surplus moisture dissolves soil food , specially nitrogen , realise them promptly available for plant consumption . pair off with inert dirt that set O flowing to roots , this N abundance spurs light , long-shanked increment .
appropriate soil to partially dry out out between watering . Improve drainage in to a fault tight gardens . Provide protection from hard rainfalls . This advance stocky , compact marigold maturation .
Cool Weather Limits Proper Growth
marigold prosper in warm weather . Butcool temperaturesearly in the growing time of year can stunt right development . This run to tall , weakly plant as the marigold attempt to outpace the atmospheric condition .
Exposure to cold snaps or parky nights trigger marigold to enter selection mode . They ’ll focus vim on vertical emergence as they endeavor to keep their leafage and blooms away from frost risk at soil grade .
Wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting marigolds in leaping . Provide row cover aegis if cold temperature are omen after plants are established .
How to Fix Leggy Marigold Plants
If your marigolds are already stretching their stems sky high , do n’t desperation . Here are some tips to help coral gangly plant :
Pinch or reduce backtop growth to encourage bushiness over tiptop . Remove expend efflorescence to push reblooming .
Stake tall plantsto provide needed musical accompaniment and foreclose flopping . Use stakes and plant velcro tie beam .
fertilise lightlywith down atomic number 7 formulas , if needed , to limit foliar growth .
piss carefullyand better drain if territory is inveterate dampish . Allow land to dry out between waterings .
If potential , move plantsto a sunnier location for the oddment of the growing time of year .
Space marigoldsproperly to preclude crowding and contest between plants .
pick out short varietiesif replanting for next yr ’s garden .
By troubleshooting the beginning campaign of leggy growth , avoid overfertilization , and furnish right sun and spacing , you ’ll be honor with attractively compact and floriferous marigold all season long . play chop-chop at the first signs of stretching , and you’re able to get those predominate marigolds back under control .
How to Keep Marigolds From Getting Too Leggy When Growing Them From Seed : Grow Guru
FAQ
Why are my marigolds growing tall and not flowering ?
How tall should marigold be ?
What are tall marigolds call ?
