Marigold Cultivation Techniques and Applications
You may not be familiar with the experience of marigold, a plant in the Compositae family. Here are the details of marigold cultivation techniques and applications:
Marigold, also known as calendula, stinking marigold, and honeycomb flower, is an annual herbaceous flowering plant.
I. Seedling Raising
Timing, area, and seed quantity for raising seedlings. The timing for raising seedlings can be determined based on the transplanting time. Generally, for spring marigolds, seedlings are raised about 40 days before transplanting. For every 667 square meters of spring marigolds, a seedbed of 20 to 25 square meters is needed, with about 30 grams of seeds. The method of raising seedlings involves using open beds or small greenhouses for spring sown marigolds, with small greenhouses being more common. The seedbed should be chosen to face the sun and be protected from the wind. The width and length of the seedbed should be suitable for the size of the plastic film and convenient for management, generally not exceeding 1.3 meters in width. The height of the arch greenhouse should be about 60 centimeters. It is best to use a non-dripping film that can maintain and raise temperatures.
Bed preparation and fertilization: Marigolds are not picky about soil, and should be planted in deep, loose, and well-drained soil. Hoe to a depth of 20 to 25 centimeters to make the topsoil soft and fine, and level the field surface. For every 667 square meters of seedbed, apply 200 kilograms of soil manure and 2 kilograms of special chrysanthemum fertilizer, turning the soil manure into the ground and spreading the chemical fertilizer evenly on the bed surface before raking it into the ground, then rake it fine and level it.
Seed treatment: First, select high-quality seeds, remove impurities and poor seeds, and ensure the seeds are plump. Then, sun-dry the selected seeds to kill pathogens, enhance seed vitality, and improve germination rates. Soak the seeds in warm water at 35-40°C for 3 to 4 hours before sowing, then drain and dry them with clear water. To prevent seedling diseases, you can mix the seeds with fungicides such as thiophanate-methyl or carbendazim.
Sowing: Sowing should be done on windless, sunny days. On the day of sowing, water the seedbed thoroughly, and once the water has drained, you can sow the seeds. Mix the treated seeds with fine sand and spread them in 2 to 3 batches on the seedbed. After sowing, cover with sieved soil 0.7 to 1 centimeter thick.
Seedbed management: Spring sown marigolds will germinate fully in 6 to 7 days. After germination, ensure the temperature in the seedbed does not exceed 30°C to prevent burning and rotting of the seedlings. When the seedlings are about 3 centimeters tall and the first set of true leaves have opened, pay attention to ventilation to prevent excessive growth. Maintain the temperature in the seedbed at 25 to 27°C, and ventilate in the morning at 8 to 9 o'clock, avoiding ventilation during the midday heat to prevent seedling shock. Stop ventilating on windy and cold days. When the average outdoor temperature stabilizes above 12°C, choose a clear, windless day to uncover the plastic film and remove weeds from the seedbed.
II. Transplanting
Transplanting time: Transplanting is done when the marigold seedlings have a stem diameter of 0.3 centimeters, a plant height of 15 to 20 centimeters, and 3 to 4 pairs of true leaves.
Planting method: Use wide and narrow row planting, with wide rows of 70 centimeters and narrow rows of 50 centimeters, a plant spacing of 25 centimeters, and 4,500 seedlings per 667 square meters, planting large and small seedlings separately.
Plastic mulch: Use plastic mulch to raise ground temperature and promote early maturity of flowers.
Watering: After transplanting, water thoroughly to promote early seedling recovery and root growth.
III. Field Management
Inter-row cultivation and earthing up: After transplanting, shallow hoeing is done to preserve moisture. When the seedlings are 25 to 30 centimeters tall and have a few branches, take soil from the furrows and heap it at the base of the plants to promote adventitious roots, prevent lodging, and inhibit the growth of weeds under the plastic.
Watering after earthing up is done based on soil moisture conditions, with each watering not too much, avoiding flooding the ridges, and maintaining a dry-wet soil condition.
Foliar feeding is done when the flowers are in full bloom, with the喷施 time being after 6 p.m. Apply 30 grams of urea and 30 grams of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per 667 square meters.
IV. Applications of Marigold in Urban Landscaping
1. Application of dwarf marigold varieties. Dwarf varieties have strong branching, many flowers, dense plants, short height, and uniform growth. The spherical flowers are fully double. They can be potted and displayed or transplanted to flower beds to create patterns.
2. Application of medium-sized marigold varieties. Medium-sized varieties have large, bright flowers, long blooming periods, and require little management. They are one of the main flowers used to decorate lawns, mainly showing their uniformity and consistency in group plantings, and can also be appreciated for their beautiful colors and full plant shape.
3. Application of tall marigold varieties. Tall varieties have large, colorful flowers, long flower stems, and can be used as cut flowers with a long water maintenance time. They are excellent fresh cut flower materials and can also be planted in strips as hedges or used as background materials.
The above is a detailed explanation of marigold cultivation techniques and applications, for your reference and suggestions!