The planting and management methods of marigold
You may not be familiar with the planting and management methods of marigold and the knowledge of green plants and flowers about the cultivation points of marigold. Next, the editor of the website will introduce it to netizens.
Marigold is an annual herbaceous flower of the Asteraceae family, also known as big hibiscus, marigold lamp, comb flower, smelly chrysanthemum, scorpion flower, etc. It is native to Mexico and distributed throughout China. Marigold is often sown in spring, and its plant branches and leaves have a special smell. The flowers are large and beautiful in color, with full and overlapping petals and a long blooming period. Therefore, marigold is commonly used for flower bed landscaping and can also be potted. Marigold flowers are yellow or orange, single or double petals, and there are also tall and dwarf types, as well as small marigolds and slender marigolds.
Marigold prefers warm and humid conditions and requires plenty of sunlight. It has strong adaptability but grows poorly in extreme heat. It is not strict with soil requirements but grows best in fertile, deep, humus-rich, and well-drained sandy soil. The blooming period of marigold is from June to October. The optimal growth temperature for marigold is between 15-25°C, and the optimal blooming temperature is between 18-20°C. It requires a relative humidity of 60-70% in the growing environment. If the temperature is below 5°C or above 30°C, it will cause the plant to grow too tall, with loose stems and leaves and fewer flowers. Therefore, the winter temperature should not be lower than 5°C, and the summer temperature should not exceed 30°C.
I. Propagation methods of marigold:
The main propagation methods of marigold are播种繁殖 (broadcasting) and cutting propagation.
Broadcasting: It is generally carried out from March to April each year. It can be sown for seedlings or directly in the courtyard. If sown in a greenhouse or in a warm indoor area using pots, it can be sown as early as February. The common sowing methods include strip sowing, furrow broadcasting, or bed surface broadcasting. After sowing, cover the soil so that the seeds are not visible. Use straw curtains or plastic film to keep the soil moist. Maintain a daytime temperature of 21°C and a nighttime temperature not lower than 17°C. Generally, seedlings can germinate within 7 days. When the seedlings reach 5 cm high, transplant them once. Marigold can be planted after it has 5-7 true leaves. To control plant height, you can also sow in summer, and the seedlings from summer sowing can bloom 60 days later.
Cutting: Marigold can be cut in summer, which is easy to root and quick to grow into seedlings. Cut 8-12 cm tender branches from the mother plant as cuttings, remove the lower leaves, insert them into the potting soil, with 3 cuttings per pot, water them thoroughly after planting, slightly shade them, and they can root after 2 weeks. Then, gradually move them to a sunny area for daily management, and they can bloom after about 1 month.
II. Planting: Marigold can be planted after it has 5-7 true leaves. It can be planted in flower pots or around the courtyard. If planted in a continuous area, the spacing between marigold plants should be 30-35 cm to avoid dense planting, which may affect ventilation and cause severe powdery mildew later. If direct seeding in flower pots or around the courtyard, thinning slightly after seedlings emerge is sufficient.
III. Water and fertilizer management: Management is relatively simple. After transplanting seedlings, water them frequently to keep the soil moist. The plant does not like too much water during the growing period. Excessive watering can cause yellowing and falling leaves. Watering should be thorough and penetrate the soil, which is beneficial for root growth. Pay attention to timely fertilization. Fertilize every 20 days from planting to flowering, using diluted decomposed human manure, decomposed cake fertilizer, or other topdressings. You can also use dried cow or pig manure mixed with cake fertilizer powder and a small amount of ammonium sulfate or urea, scattered in the rows for weeding and mixing with the soil. Root external topdressing should be done when the flowers are in full bloom, with喷施 (spraying) time in the late afternoon being preferable. During the dry summer flowering period, water promptly to avoid leaf drop and apply fertilizer frequently to extend the blooming period.
IV. Daily management: After planting, it is necessary to pinch the top to promote more branching and flowering. Regularly cultivate the soil to remove weeds, keep the soil loose, reduce water evaporation, and promote air circulation, which are important for the healthy growth of marigold seedlings. Pay attention to the control of red spiders. After flowering, prune the残花 (withered flowers) and branches to update the flowering branches, which can extend the blooming period.
V. Seed collection: From June to October, after the flowers wither, the seeds gradually turn black and mature. Collect them in time, dry them in a well-ventilated place, clean the seeds, and store them in bags to prevent mildew and insect infestation.
This article shares the planting and management methods of marigold and the related content of understanding the cultivation points of marigold, for reference by green plant enthusiasts, hoping to solve your problems in green plant and flower management.