When to Sow Marigolds
If you want to know when to sow marigolds and related knowledge about marigold sowing time and methods, the following is a detailed introduction.
Marigolds, also known as pot marigolds, are annual herbaceous plants of the asteraceae, marigold genus. They are usually sown in March-April, with natural flowering from June to October. However, in warm southern regions without frost, marigolds can still be seen blooming in November. Although marigolds have good heat resistance, they are not as cold-tolerant as other asteraceae plants, which can withstand wind and snow. The winter survival temperature needs to be maintained above 0°C. In cold regions, it is difficult to overwinter in the open field, and they naturally wither after frost. They need to be resown in the spring of the following year, while potted plants can be moved into a warm room to overwinter.
About Marigolds:
Marigolds symbolize health and longevity. Besides being used for landscaping and flower bed decoration, they can also be used for potting and as fresh cut flowers. They are not picky about soil and can be cultivated in large areas. With the rapid development of tourism and holiday economies,网红 tourist attractions themed around marigold meadows have emerged in places like Yunnan, Gansu, and Jiangxi. Marigolds are also a type of Chinese medicinal material and an edible variety of chrysanthemum, which has certain economic value. The variety is also rich, with flower colors mainly light yellow, golden yellow, and orange, but flower shapes are divided into double petals, wrinkled petals, and large and small flowers. Everyone can choose the variety according to their personal preferences.
How to Cultivate Marigolds and Daily Maintenance?
① Choose the appropriate cultivation method:
Marigolds are warm-season plants that prefer warm, sunny, and well-ventilated environments. Long-term lack of sunlight can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers. The suitable growth temperature is between 15-30°C. They are usually cultivated in gardens and flower beds or can be potted. However, ground cultivation provides a better ornamental effect and is easier to manage.
② Prepare the soil before sowing:
Sowing marigolds is generally done in March-April. Although they are not strict about soil requirements, it is still advisable to choose a ventilated and sunny area for sowing. The land to be sown can be deeply cultivated, refined, and turned over in advance. Adding some organic or slow-release fertilizer as a base fertilizer before sowing can benefit the rapid growth of seedlings. If the area to be cultivated is small, you can also choose to sow in seed trays and then transplant, which is more convenient to manage.
③ Seedling raising:
Marigold seeds are very light and dry. Before sowing, they can be soaked in warm water for 3-4 hours to promote germination. After draining the water, take a small amount of well-refined half-dry coal slag or sandy loam soil, mix the seeds in, which is conducive to uniform sowing and controlling the appropriate density. After sowing, cover with a thin layer of seedling soil about 1-2 centimeters thick and water with a spray. In regions where the temperature is still low and sowing is early, the seedbed can be covered with a ground arch film. After sowing, at an ambient temperature of 15-20°C, seeds can germinate in about 7-10 days. After germination, the ends of the ground film can be opened for ventilation. When seedlings grow to about 5 centimeters, the ground film can be removed and normal management can resume.④ Transplanting and thinning:
After marigolds have germinated and grown to about 10-15 centimeters, they can be transplanted. You can adjust the areas where the seeds are too sparse or dense. If you need to transplant them to pots, this can also be done at the same time.
⑤ Flowering maintenance:
After transplanting and thinning, in addition to maintaining sufficient sunlight, watering should not be too frequent, but thin fertilizer can be applied frequently to promote growth. It usually takes about two and a half months from sowing to flowering. Before the flowering period in May-June, 1-2 applications of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer can be added each month to promote flowering, which is beneficial for full and colorful flowers.
This article shares some small experiences about when to sow marigolds and the time and methods of sowing, hoping to bring you help in your daily life!