What are the growth processes of marigolds
Here is an introduction to the growth processes of marigolds and detailed information on marigold planting methods and timing for green plants and flowers. Corrections are welcome if there are any mistakes!
When marigolds bloom, the shape of the flowers changes a lot, creating a strong visual impact, making them one of the favorite flower varieties among flower lovers. Every year, they are bought from the market during the blooming season, but after the blooming season is over, the entire plant withers and ends its life cycle, which can bring a touch of sadness to flower lovers. Actually, we can choose another way to extend the life of marigolds, which is through seeding and propagation to continue their life. Around September, the flowers will enter the fruit ripening stage. At this time, pick healthy and full seeds and store them in a dry and ventilated place, waiting for the right time to plant them.
One, why should marigolds be propagated by seeding?
Marigolds are annual flowering plants. What is an annual plant? It is a plant that completes its life cycle, including播种, growth, flowering, fruiting, and other stages, in one growing season, which is about 8 months. Since the plant ends its life after the fruiting period each year, if you want to enjoy the beauty of the flowers the following year, you have to propagate them by seeding. Although marigolds can also be propagated by cutting, the effectiveness and survival rate are low for individuals.
Two, what are the advantages of propagating marigolds by seeding?
For annual flowering plants, their growth genes generally prefer warmth and fear severe cold, are drought-resistant, and dislike soil waterlogging, requiring very careful care. If other propagation methods are chosen, it is easy to have root rot and difficulty controlling the blooming period. Therefore, propagating marigolds by seeding can improve the survival rate and better control the blooming time. Moreover, for friends who grow on a large scale, it can reduce labor and capital investment, maximizing planting profits.
Three, what time should you plant marigolds to improve the survival rate?
Marigolds are native to the warm climate of Mexico, and their long-term growing environment has formed a preference for warmth and aversion to cold. The blooming period is mainly from July to September. If you choose an inappropriate season for seeding, it will not only delay the blooming period but also reduce the survival rate of the seeds. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a season that matches the blooming period and maintains a mild climate. According to the characteristics of the four seasons, planting in spring can ensure timely blooming and the warm climate can promote germination. In warm southern regions, seeding can start in February, while in cold northern regions, it is necessary to wait until April to avoid frost damage to the young seedlings.
Note that spring often has frequent rain, and if seeding is done on rainy days, it can easily lead to excessive humidity, causing bacterial infections and reducing the germination survival rate. Personally, I think choosing a warm, sunny season for seeding and indoor seeding can avoid changeable weather conditions and prevent unexpected events.
Four, how to plant marigolds?
The seeding propagation of marigolds is relatively simple, and high germination survival rates can be achieved if the soil and seeds are in good condition. Although this is theoretically true, some flower lovers experience low survival rates when seeding. The main reason seeds fail to germinate is due to some details of the seeding process not being carried out properly. Next, let's explore how to carry out seeding propagation.
1. Soil: Soil is the foundation for seed survival and needs to meet the conditions of being loose, breathable, free of pests and diseases, and having good moisture retention. If you choose coarse, pest-infested, or dry soil for seeding, the seeds will wither and fail to germinate. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare播种 soil that is loose, breathable, and has good moisture retention; loose soil can be achieved by turning or loosening the soil.
① Outdoor seeding: Outdoor seeding is for large-scale flower farms. According to the shallow root characteristics of marigolds, soil depth should be controlled at about 22 centimeters, as too deep or too shallow can hinder seed germination. In southern regions with humid climates, choosing a higher position to seed can avoid seeds rotting in积水. In dry northern climates, choosing a lower position can achieve better moisture retention and prevent seeds from drying out.
What are the growth processes of marigolds
② Indoor potting: Indoor potting is for home balcony planting. According to the shallow root characteristics of marigolds, the depth of the pot should be moderate, as too deep or too shallow is not good for controlling moisture. Using indoor potting allows for manual control of soil and moisture levels, resulting in a relatively higher survival rate; however, it lacks the nourishment of natural climate, and the rate of sturdy seedlings is lower than that of outdoor seeding.
2. Broadcast seeding: Broadcast seeding involves evenly spreading marigold seeds on the soil surface. For outdoor seeding, a thin layer of soil is sufficient to cover the seeds, which helps retain moisture and improve seed survival rates. For indoor potting, no covering is needed, allowing for natural growth. Additionally, whether it's outdoor or indoor seeding, the soil should be thoroughly moistened in advance to prevent the soil from absorbing the moisture and nutrients from the seeds.
Five, post-seeding care and management of marigolds?
1. Light: Marigolds prefer a sunny growing environment and are averse to long-term growth in dark conditions; however, during seeding, it is necessary to take shading measures to promote seed germination and seedling growth. After the seedlings emerge, obstacles are cleared manually to allow them to receive ample soft light, bringing a vigorous growth state.
2. Moisture: Seeding propagation is very particular about moisture levels. If the soil becomes slightly dry, it will affect seed germination, so it is necessary to maintain soil moisture through appropriate care methods. For potting, when the soil is dry, use a fine-mist spray bottle to water from a distance to avoid soil compaction. For outdoor seeding, it can be combined with furrow seeding, which is also a type of direct seeding.
Six, when to transplant and plant marigolds?
1. Transplanting: Since marigold seeds are small, the distance between seeds during播种 is relatively small. If there is no transplanting after the seedlings emerge, malnutrition and uneven lighting can hinder the growth of the seedlings. Therefore, we transplant when the seedlings have grown about 4 true leaves.
Note: Transplanting seedlings is sensitive to water loss. If severe water loss occurs, it can lead to withering and death. Therefore, it is necessary to transplant and plant the seedlings at the same time, while also spraying some water on the seedlings.
2. Planting: After one transplant, the seedlings can basically enter the stage of mature reproductive organs, which is about to bloom, and can be moved to plant in pots, gardens, or flower beds. For home gardens, transplanting can be done at the same time as planting.
In summary, marigold seeds do not need to be treated before播种 and can still achieve a high germination rate, which is one of the main reasons flower lovers prefer seeding propagation. In fact, for biennial flowering plants, seed播种 is quite common. If you want to提前 the blooming period, you can播种 indoors in advance; if you want to delay the blooming period, you can播种 indoors later, making it easier to control the blooming period. I have shared my own experience in播种, and I hope flower lovers will offer more guidance.
The above sharing on the growth processes of marigolds and detailed information on marigold planting methods and timing are provided for everyone to learn and understand!