Chrysanthemum Growing Tips: Easy Care, Enjoying Beauty and Health Hand-in-Hand

Choosing the Right Planting Environment

Marigolds are beloved for their vibrant colors, long blooming period, and auspicious symbolism. In home cultivation, marigolds not only beautify the environment but also enrich one's spirit. This article will provide a detailed guide to growing marigolds, helping you to easily care for them and enjoy beauty and health together.

Choosing the Right Planting Environment

Marigolds thrive in environments with plenty of sunlight and good air circulation. During cultivation, choose a sunny, well-drained location for planting. Avoid planting marigolds in overly damp or shaded areas, as this can affect their growth.

Soil Selection and Preparation

Marigolds are not very demanding regarding soil, but they grow best in loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy soil. Before planting, the soil should be deeply tilled and mixed with an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer, such as well-rotted chicken manure or cow manure, to enhance its fertility.

Planting Time and Method

The best time to plant marigolds is in spring and autumn. When planting, place the seedlings in the soil so that the center of the seedling is level with the soil surface. After planting, water thoroughly and keep the soil moist.

Watering and Fertilizing

Marigolds prefer a moist environment but are sensitive to waterlogging. Watering should keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, apply a compound fertilizer once a month to promote growth. Before the flowering period, you can apply additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote bud formation.

Pruning and Shaping

During the growth of marigolds, timely pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, weak, and dead branches to maintain good ventilation and light for the plant. After flowering, you can trim off the spent flowers to encourage the formation of new buds.

Pest and Disease Control

During their growth, marigolds may be susceptible to pests and diseases such as aphids and spider mites. The control methods are as follows:

1. Strengthen cultivation management by keeping the plant well-ventilated and exposed to light.

2. Regularly spray with pesticides such as imidacloprid and abamectin.

3. When pests or diseases are found, promptly remove and dispose of infected leaves and branches to reduce their spread.

Propagation Methods

The main propagation methods for marigolds are division and cuttings. Division is suitable for vigorous plants; simply divide the plant and replant. Cuttings are suitable for slower-growing plants. Take healthy cuttings 10-15 cm long, insert them into a sand bed, keep them moist, and transplant them after they have rooted.

Growing marigolds is not complicated. By mastering the key aspects of their care—such as the planting environment, soil, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest and disease control—you can easily maintain them. Be sure to observe the plant's condition and adjust your care routine as needed. With this, you can be sure to grow beautiful marigolds.

References:

Flower Cultivation Techniques Manual, China Agriculture Press, 2018 Edition.

China's Flower Industry Development Report, China Flower Association, 2019 Edition.