Marigold flowers are unpretentious plants; they can be perennial or annual. Growing from seeds in open ground is easy; replanting can be done even during flowering. Flowering of marigolds begins in the first month of summer and continues until the first frost.

Marigolds have medicinal and beneficial properties. The individuality of marigold is a rare individual scent. In natural conditions, marigolds have about 35 varieties and a large number of species.

Marigold varieties and types

Erect marigolds They are a straight bush with large double inflorescences with a uniform shade, the diameter of the flower is 12 cm. Dense and stable shoots sometimes reach one meter in height. This species is popular among gardeners.

They present a flowering of a rich yellow or orange hue, the inflorescence is about 10 cm in diameter, and the height of the bush is only 20 cm.

They are not a tall bush with a height of 35 to 50 cm. The inflorescences are about 5 cm in diameter, flowering occurs from July until the first frost. The inflorescences sometimes have a two-color tint. This variety is used for planting on borders.

They are a lush compact bush, reaching a height of up to 40 cm. The leaves of this species are greenish, the shape is slightly dissected. And the inflorescences resemble baskets with a diameter of about 3 cm. This species loves good lighting and is quite thermophilic. Used in cooking as a seasoning.

They represent a good lush bush with numerous blooms, about a hundred inflorescences on one plant, each inflorescence 4 cm in diameter. The height of the bush is from 20 to 40 cm. Among them there are dwarf plants up to 20 cm in height. The inflorescences vary in color, single-colored and combined in two colors.

Probably the most popular type, because they have neat bushes, and they serve as an excellent decoration for flower beds, borders, and flower beds.

This is a rejected, low-growing variety. It is distinguished by a thick cover of leaves, height 30 cm. The inflorescence is about 5 cm in diameter, double with corrugated petals. The color is fiery brown, with a yellow-orange tint at the base.

This is an annual plant about 25 cm in height. The inflorescences are about 6 cm in diameter. The name is associated with the rich orange color, the inflorescences are double and showy. Marigolds are unpretentious to either moisture or the soil in which they grow. Blooms abundantly until the very first frost.

Also, there are varieties of white marigolds from upright varieties: Kilimanjaro , quite a rare variety. Plant height up to 70 cm, inflorescences double, spherical in diameter up to 12 cm, white and beige.

They have a neat bush, similar to feathery leaves. Height is about 35 cm. Inflorescences are about 6 cm in diameter. The shade of the inflorescence is similar to vanilla.

Height is about 70 cm, the inflorescences are cream and whitish in color and have a diameter of about 13 cm.

Marigolds planting and care in open ground

There are few ways to plant marigolds in open ground: seeds, seedlings and mature bushes.

Any of these methods gives successful results when performed correctly.

Planting marigolds in open ground with seeds

Planting marigolds with seeds can be done directly in open ground. They are sown in the second half of May, when the soil has already warmed up a little. Sowing is done to a depth of approximately 5 cm.

To do this, a groove is dug about 5 cm deep, watered with water, seeds are sown there and sprinkled with earth. Seedlings are thinned out if they are densely planted.

Before planting marigold seeds, they can be moistened and placed in a piece of damp cloth, wrapped in cellophane, after a few days the seeds will sprout. Such seedlings germinate faster in open ground.

Marigold seedlings

If you want to achieve earlier flowering, it is better to plant marigolds as seedlings. To do this, it is better to sow the seeds in a container early in the spring. For marigolds, growing seedlings is not a complicated process. When sowing, it is necessary to take into account different sowing dates.

In the first half of March, upright ones are planted, and in April, low-growing ones. Planting seeds is not difficult, you just need to provide the marigolds with care after sowing.

The composition of the soil should include peat, sand, humus and turf, all in a one to one proportion. Before sowing, the soil is disinfected with a manganese solution. Don't forget to place drainage at the bottom of the container.

When sowing seeds in a container, try to maintain a distance of about 2 cm, moderate constant watering and a temperature of about 23 degrees.

Watering is done from a sprayer. After the first shoots, and this is approximately the fourth day, if the seeds are fresh, and if the seeds are stale, then the shoots will appear somewhere on the seventh day. We move the container to a cool but bright place.

• Marigolds do not tolerate temperature drops below 10 degrees , they slow down growth and may stop flowering.
• If marigold seedlings have stretched out, what to do? - in this case it is necessary to plant a little deeper into the ground.
• Is it necessary to pinch the plant? - in no case should you do this, since the plant will be late in flowering for a considerable time.

When to pick marigolds after germination

After the first three leaves appear on the seedlings, they can be planted. You can pick up young plants by slightly securing the rhizome, planting the shoots in separate boxes, deepening them into the ground up to the cotyledon.

It should be noted that after diving, marigolds will begin to grow rapidly due to an increase in the amount of soil.

Marigold seedlings are planted in open ground two to three weeks after picking. After the seedlings take root well, and for this they require abundant watering and sufficient lighting.

The best period for planting seedlings in open ground is when the air temperature at night is not lower than 6 degrees. Marigolds are not picky about soil, but prefer loamy soil. Taking into account all the varieties and varieties, marigolds must be planted at a distance of about 15 cm from each other. If you are planting adult bushes, then the distance is at least 40 cm.

Watering marigolds

After planting the seedlings, moderate watering is required for their rooting. In hot weather, it is better to water in the evening.

Also, abundant watering is required during active growth; stagnation of water is not allowed, this can lead to rotting of the root system.

How to fertilize marigolds for abundant flowering

Marigolds tolerate all fertilizing well, except humus, but it is better to choose a complex fertilizer. It should be fed 3 times per season, during the active growth of seedlings, during the appearance of buds, and during flowering.

But don't over-fertilize, or your plants will stop blooming. Flowering begins in June and continues until frost.

Marigold diseases and pests

Diseases of marigold seedlings - can occur due to excessive watering or prolonged rains; seedlings can also be threatened by snails and slugs. You can destroy or drive them away using chlorine liquid, which must be placed around the area with marigolds.

In dry times, flowers can be affected by spider mites; they are fought with an infusion of yarrow or onion, sprayed with a sprayer. And to avoid their appearance, it is necessary to spray the flowerbed more often.

Also, marigold seedlings are affected by gray rot and fungus. The cause of the fungus could be high humidity and lack of sufficient lighting. In this case, the plant should be transplanted into light. If gray rot appears on the leaves in the form of brown spots, then the plant will have to be removed.

Marigolds medicinal properties and contraindications

• Marigold oil is used in the treatment of burns and skin diseases. To do this, you need to infuse marigold flowers with vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:10.
• Only picked marigold flowers should be eaten in salads; they help restore vision and prevent eye diseases, this applies to programmers and those who spend a lot of time near the monitor.
• A decoction of marigolds is used to treat diseases of arthrosis of the joints. For one glass of boiled water about 25 grams. dried flowers, infused and taken orally. You can take up to two liters per day.

• In cosmetology it is used as a lip balm. To prepare it you need to take about 15g of almond oil. 25 dry marigold inflorescences and about 45 gr. almond oil, mix and leave for about two weeks, and everything is ready for use.
• In cooking, marigolds are used as a seasoning, an additive to soups, added to salads, where they add some spice and individual taste, and when preserving cucumbers, they add it to brine.

Contraindications - essential oils are not recommended for use by pregnant women and people with individual intolerances, as they can cause allergic reactions. And so in general, there are no contraindications for use.

Marigold flowers- variegated flowers of a herbaceous plant called marigolds, or Chernobrivtsy. The biological name of the plant sounds like Tagetes; marigolds received it in honor of Tadis, the grandson of Jupiter. The flower is a representative of the Asteraceae family. The plant has a branched stem and dissected leaves; marigolds bloom with double or semi-double orange inflorescences (see photo). Scientists consider Mexico to be the birthplace of marigolds. It was the Spaniards who gave the flowers the name “Tagetes” when they first saw them in Mexico.

In England, marigolds are known as marigold, which means “associated with gold.” The ancient Mayan civilization considered marigolds a special plant and used them in their rituals, believing in the magical powers of flowers. The Chinese call marigolds “flowers of two thousand years”; for them, these flowers symbolize longevity. Since ancient times, marigolds have been grown not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a food and medicinal plant.

Growing: planting and care

Growing marigolds is extremely easy; it is one of the most unpretentious plants. Flowers can be planted separately or in combination with other plants. In addition, marigolds have a pungent odor that repels insects from the garden. Africans tied marigolds into bundles and secured them in front of their houses to prevent insects from flying inside. The unpretentiousness of the plant and its attractive appearance have made marigolds a permanent inhabitant of flower beds.

Marigolds are resistant to drought, but cannot tolerate frost at all, as they are heat-loving plants. Marigolds reproduce by seeds (it is better to take fresh seeds up to 2 years old). It is better to plant plants in light partial shade: there the marigolds will bloom well. Before sowing the seeds, they can be soaked in water, since sprouted seeds give good sowing density. Marigolds can be planted directly in open ground. Care includes regular watering and weeding.

Beneficial features

The beneficial properties of marigolds are due to the presence of rutin, flavonoids, essential oils, phytoncides, vitamins and microelements in their composition. At home, the aborigines used a decoction of marigolds for fever and constipation. Flavonoids, which determine the color of the plant, also have a beneficial effect on the human body. These substances are a good prevention of sclerotic lesions; they improve the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels. Rutin or vitamin P, reduces capillary fragility, it is necessary for varicose veins and cardiovascular diseases.

The orange flowers of marigolds contain carotenoids and lutein - substances that protect the visual organs from cataracts. To prevent vision problems or during regular long-term work at the computer, it is recommended to eat 3 marigold inflorescences daily. Marigold extract is often included in dietary supplements and other medications to support vision.

Marigold extract is harmful to staphylococci and Candida fungus. Fresh marigold juice is an excellent remedy for insect bites, small cuts, and wounds.

The essential oil is obtained from the flowers of the plant by steam distillation. It has a spicy characteristic aroma. Externally, marigold essential oil mixed with lavender is used to care for dry and cracked skin. The oil heals well and makes the skin smooth. The property of marigold oil is known to have a beneficial effect on scars, which with regular use are noticeably smoothed out. The procedure for softening scars is very simple. To do this, apply pure oil to the densest areas of the scar. To carry out the procedure, you need to purchase good quality oil. A few drops of essential oil will make your usual shampoo much more useful; marigolds strengthen hair and stimulate its growth.

In addition to the cosmetic effect, marigold oil helps cure fungal infections and even frostbite. Marigold compresses heal scratches and wounds. The oil is perfect for resolving bruises and getting rid of warts and calluses. A few drops of oil can be added to foot cream; the oil will soften rough areas of the skin and will be an additional prevention of fungal infections. There is information that marigold essential oil relieves from bursitis of the thumb(popularly this disease is called “bump” or “bone”). For this disease, it is recommended to apply oil to the affected area twice a day for a year.

Marigolds are used in cosmetology to eliminate acne and reduce scars. A lotion based on marigolds is prepared for the face: 2 tbsp. l. crushed flowers pour a glass of boiling water, use it morning and evening. For oily skin, it is recommended to add 2 tbsp. l. vodka, and if dry – 2 tbsp. l. rose water.

Marigold goes well with essential oils such as sandalwood, orange, bergamot, coriander, frankincense, etc. The spicy aroma of marigold is great for creating perfume compositions.

Use in cooking

In cooking, marigolds are used to make purees, as well as seasonings that add piquancy to the dish. The plant has found its use in the food industry. Marigolds are used as a flavoring for ice cream, baked goods and even candy. Edible flowers are used to decorate snacks, salads and other dishes.

Caucasian cuisine uses marigold flowers to prepare a spice known as Imereti saffron. National Georgian dishes are prepared using this spice. Fresh marigolds are great for giving chicken a delicious golden hue. For the same purpose, flowers are added to baked goods, drinks, and desserts.

The Aztecs used marigolds as a culinary herb. A few flower petals or a few fresh marigold leaves will completely change the taste of a familiar dish. The pungent scent of the plant goes well with fish and meat dishes. Fans of this seasoning add dried marigolds to borscht, soups, and compotes.

There are even pickling recipes this plant. One kilogram of marigolds is poured with brine, boiled for 5 minutes and rolled into jars. The brine is prepared at the rate of 50 g of salt per 0.5 liter of water. Pickled marigolds turn out to be very tasty: 1 kg of flowers is poured with a marinade of 50 g of coarse salt, 3 peppercorns, 0.5 liters of 3% vinegar. The flowers are boiled in brine for 5 minutes and placed in jars.

Benefits of marigold flowers and treatment

The benefits of marigolds have become known due to the diaphoretic and diuretic properties of the plant. Marigold baskets are used to strengthen the immune system, to treat cardiovascular diseases, anemia, colds, and to strengthen the walls of blood vessels during bleeding.

You can prepare it at home marigold oil, which perfectly treats bedsores, boils, helps with muscle strains, and removes calluses. To do this, you should collect a jar of marigold flowers and fill it to the top with vegetable oil, then infuse the mixture for 10 days. Of course, industrial essential oil is more concentrated, while homemade essential oil has a milder effect. Essential oil must be diluted in a carrier oil before external use to avoid skin burns. Only very good quality essential oils are used internally and in certain doses. If the manufacturer does not write about dosages and rules for internal administration, it is better not to take such oil.

Tea is brewed from marigold flowers for cystitis, colds. Several inflorescences are poured with boiling water and after a few minutes the drink is ready. If desired, you can add a little honey to it. Marigolds also have calming properties; for nervous tension and stress, it is recommended to drink tea from the flowers or take a bath with marigolds. A decoction of marigolds is also often used to wash the eyes with conjunctivitis.

At diabetes mellitus An alcohol tincture is prepared from marigold flowers. To do this, 50 flowers of dark shades are poured with 0.5 liters of alcohol or vodka and infused for a week. Drink one teaspoon of tincture before meals.

Harm to marigold flowers and contraindications

Marigolds can cause harm to the body due to individual intolerance. The use of the essential oil of this plant is contraindicated for pregnant women under 32 weeks. Oil should not be used externally for eczema.

Luxurious and modest, stately and unpretentious, amazingly beautiful and unpretentious - all these are marigolds. Find out all about these flowers and decorate your garden or balcony with them.

These flowers are the favorites of thousands of gardeners. You can meet them in a luxurious garden and in a modest front garden, on the territory of a school and kindergarten, near a store and library, and anywhere! After all, they are extremely unpretentious, easily reproduce, do not require intensive care, bloom magnificently and for a long time, delighting with a variety of colors, shades, and shapes. If this is your recent hobby, if you are new to this business, let marigolds (tagetes) be one of the first flowers planted. Growing marigolds is a very rewarding activity.

History of marigolds: legends and beliefs about Tagetes

There are many legends and beliefs associated with marigolds, as probably with any garden flowers.

The beauty of these sunny flowers was first appreciated by the ancient Aztecs, who lived in the territory of modern Mexico. The Indians believed that thickets of wild golden flowers indicated the location of precious metal (gold) underground. They believed that the gods had a special attitude towards the Tagetes, and planted them near their homes in order to ensure the favor of the gods. The Aztecs and Mayans used tagetes flowers to treat fever, consumed them as a spice, and used them in various ritual activities.

With the discovery of America, they quickly spread throughout the world and won the hearts of gardeners and landscape designers, who began to create new varieties and hybrids of this plant. In the 18th century, Carl Linnaeus (a Swedish naturalist who was involved in the systematization of plants) assigned it the Latin name Tagetes in honor of the mythological god, the grandson of Jupiter Tages, who, according to legend, had wondrous beauty and the gift of foresight.

• Tagetes appeared in Russia in the 18th century; for the wonderful velvety nature of their petals, they are affectionately called marigolds.
• In Ukraine, marigolds are called Chernobrivtsy, apparently because of the color of the petals: many varieties have a dark stripe along the edge. And this name is also associated with a beautiful Ukrainian legend about three black-browed, skilled boys and their younger sister.
• In the Georgian region, Imereti, marigolds are grown in industrial quantities, where they are called Imeretian saffron.
• “Flowers of ten thousand years” - this is how everyone’s favorites are called in China, since in this country they are considered a symbol of longevity.
• In England, marigolds are known as marigold (the gold of the Virgin Mary), and they decorate icons.
• In Hinduism, Tagetes is revered as the flower of the god Krishna. In the language of flowers, these plants symbolize fidelity.

Types and varieties of marigolds

Photos of marigolds and brief descriptions of the characteristics of each will help you understand the types of this amazing plant and choose the best variety for yourself.

Marigold erecta (African)

Plants from this group are distinguished by their considerable height (60-100 cm) and large single inflorescences. The stems at the base of the bush become woody. These marigolds are planted in groups, flower beds, and they also grow well in containers. Grown for cutting.

Marigold rejected (French)

These plants are not tall, their inflorescences are much smaller than those of erect marigolds. But the flowers cover the branched bushes so densely that they sometimes look like blooming balls. Of all the species, this one is the least demanding on growing conditions and the most cold-resistant. There are many varieties of this species with double and non-double inflorescences of a wide variety of colors and shades.

Having begun to bloom in June-July, they continue flowering until the snow. Low-growing marigolds are successfully used as border and container plants.

Marigold thin-leaved (Mexican)

The most heat-demanding species of the extensive family. Quite large and spreading bushes of this variety with lacy leaves are entirely strewn with small chamomile-like flowers. By planting thin-leaved marigolds of various varieties, you can create a unique bright flower garden from tagetes alone.

Growing marigolds - it's not difficult

In fact, decorating a garden, front garden, or porch of a house with these wonderful flowers is quite simple. Now is the time to decide which marigolds you like best and stock up on seeds. Tagetes seeds have good, almost one hundred percent germination rate. But when purchasing (or collecting) seeds, you must remember that their germination capacity lasts for about 2 years.

In order for the plants in your garden to bloom as early as possible, it is worth growing them in seedlings, although it is also possible to grow them by direct sowing of seeds in the ground. Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out at the end of March (amendments are possible depending on the region and variety). Seeds can be sown either in a common seedling box or in separate cups for seedlings.

In any case, a layer of drainage (fine crushed stone, expanded clay) must be placed at the bottom of the container, and then nutrient soil must be poured. For marigolds, it is prepared from peat, sand, humus, turf soil, taking 2 parts of the remaining components for each part of sand. The lower part of the soil, approximately 2/3 of it, should be compacted. Leave the top third loose.

Make grooves in the soil at intervals of 2-3 cm, pour them with warm water. Having placed the seeds in the grooves, cover them with soil, cover with film, and put them in a warm place.

When the first shoots appear, remove the film, move the seedling containers to the light, and provide the seedlings with timely watering. If the seedlings have sprouted densely, in order to avoid stretching the stems, they should be pruned in time. The seedlings tolerate picking well. When picking, elongated plants can be buried in the ground.

By the end of May, the seedlings will be ready for planting in the ground in a permanent location. Sometimes tagetes manage to form buds and even bloom by the time of planting.

This is not scary: unlike many plants, flowering marigolds easily tolerate transplantation even when they are blooming. It is especially convenient to plant young plants when they grow not in a common container, but in separate cups with a removable bottom. In this case, the roots are not damaged at all during planting.

These beauties grow well in partial shade, even in the shade. But they will delight you with lush flowering only if you provide them with a sunny place. And if on a cloudy day you glance at a flower garden with tagetes, they will give you a feeling of sunshine and warmth.

Marigolds have a place - not only in the flowerbed

Marigolds are a great decoration for your garden. They, alone or in company with other flowers, will make a flower bed bright, become a wonderful border along the path and enliven. When planted in containers, flowerpots, bowls, they will provide an opportunity to fill the void that has arisen somewhere between plants, and decorate the porch or patio.

But the possibilities of these wonderful flowers are not limited to this. If you plant them next to garden plants, marigolds will protect them from pests. Flowering specimens will scare away the cabbage whites.

The whitefly doesn't like them either - it's worth planting marigolds near the greenhouse.

By planting tagetes next to potatoes and gladioli, you will protect them from nematodes, and eggplants from the Colorado potato beetle.

And crushed marigolds embedded in the ground during autumn digging will improve the health of the soil and destroy not only garden pests, but also pathogens of fungal diseases.

That's what they are, marigolds. Love them, and they will become an adornment and faithful guardian of your garden, vegetable garden, etc.

Marigolds (lat. Tagetes) is a genus of perennial and annual plants belonging to the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. The plants are native to South and Central America. They have long been used in rituals of local Indian tribes, as well as to get rid of various diseases. Marigolds came to Europe in the 16th century and were the first overseas flowers to appear in Russia. Marigold flowers owe their name to Carl Linnaeus, who named them in honor of Tages, an Etruscan demigod, grandson of Jupiter, famous for his gift of fortune-telling and beauty. Today marigolds, or, as they are also called, black-browed ones, number about 40 species and are cultivated in many countries around the world.

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Planting and caring for marigolds (in brief)

• Landing: sowing in open ground at the end of May or beginning of June. For seedlings - in March.
• Bloom: from June until frost.
• Lighting: bright sunlight or partial shade.
• The soil: loamy, well moistened at the beginning of the growing season, nutritious, neutral.
• Watering: regular and sufficient until flowering begins, then moderate.
• Feeding: mineral solutions: 1st - at a seedling height of 10 cm, 2nd - during budding, 3rd - at the beginning of flowering.
• Trimming: possible, but not required.
• Reproduction: seed.
• Pests: spider mites, thrips, aphids, caterpillars, snails, slugs.
• Diseases: gray rot, black leg, root rot, viral infections.

Read more about growing marigolds below.

Marigold flowers - description

The stems of marigolds are erect or branched, forming a bush with a height of 20 cm to 130 cm. The root system is fibrous, the leaves are pinnately divided or pinnately dissected, opposite or alternate, the color of the leaves is from light green to dark green. Flower baskets in different shades of yellow, brown and orange. The middle flowers are tubular, bisexual, the marginal flowers are pseudolingulate, with five stamens. The pistil has two stigmas and the ovary is inferior. Marigolds bloom very profusely from June until the first frost. The fruit is a linear achene. Marigold seeds self-sow abundantly and remain viable for 3-4 years. The flowers do not emit a strong spicy smell as much as the leaves of marigolds.

Growing marigolds from seeds

Planting marigolds is not difficult even for a beginner, since these flowers are completely unpretentious. You can dig in a ready-made flowering bush, and it will almost certainly take root and delight you with long flowering. Or you can easily sow the seeds directly into open ground. This should be done in May, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. Use a hoe to make a furrow approximately 5 cm deep, water it, sow seeds into the furrow and cover them with soil. The shoots will appear in a couple of weeks, and if they grow too thick, replant them.

But for those who are not looking for easy ways and are ready to test themselves as a breeder, we will tell you how to sow marigolds, how to grow marigolds from seedlings, how marigolds are obtained from seeds and when to plant marigolds as seedlings.

Preparing marigold seeds for planting

Marigold seeds are purchased only for the first planting, since at the end of flowering you can easily get seeds from your faded marigolds. You just need to let a few inflorescences dry well right on the bush and, if there is no rain, you can easily remove the ripened seeds from the cup, dry them and save them until spring sowing. Just remember that almost all marigolds existing in cultivation are hybrids, which means that every fourth seedling does not retain varietal properties and can inherit either paternal or maternal characteristics. Many gardeners plant marigold seedlings with sprouted seeds. To germinate, place the seeds on a saucer covered with a damp cloth, place the saucer in a plastic bag and place in a warm place. After three days, the seeds should hatch.

In the photo: Marigold seeds

When to sow marigolds for seedlings

The sooner you sow marigold seedlings (even in early spring), the faster they will bloom. If you grow different species, then know that upright marigolds are sown earlier than others (in mid-March), low-growing and small-leaved marigolds are sown in early April, and then all three species will bloom in June. Growing marigold seedlings is a simple process, but there are points that should not be missed. Prepare a soil mixture: humus, peat, turf, sand (1; 1; 1; 0.5) and disinfect by pouring a disinfectant fungicide solution or a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Make sure that at the bottom of the container there is a drainage layer of crushed stone, sand or expanded clay 3 cm high, add fertilizer to the soil (any organic matter, except fresh manure).

Make grooves at a distance of 1.5-2 cm from each other, place the seeds in them and sprinkle with a small layer of soil. You need to water very carefully so that the water does not wash the seeds out of the soil. Keep the containers in a warm place (22-25 ºC) and make sure that the soil does not dry out. Sprouts should appear no later than a week later, then the container should be moved to the light and the temperature should be slightly reduced (15-18 ºC).

In the photo: Sowing marigold seeds for seedlings

When to plant marigolds

Seedlings are planted in open ground when the threat of late frosts has passed: marigolds come from warm regions and cannot tolerate cold weather. In addition, you need to wait until the seedlings have formed at least 3 leaves and a powerful root system. This usually occurs at the end of May or beginning of June. Marigolds need nutritious soil, well-moistened in the first half of summer, loamy and neutral. If the soil is infertile, you will have to fertilize 2-3 times during the growing season.

In the photo: Marigold seedlings in pots

The distance between seedlings depends on the species and variety. Tall marigolds are planted every 40 cm, the distance between the rows is also 40 cm (40x40 pattern), medium-sized ones - according to the 30x30 pattern, low-growing ones - 20x20. After planting, there is a need for frequent and abundant watering of marigolds, because despite the fact that they are considered drought-resistant plants, if marigolds are not watered enough, they will grow puny and their inflorescences will be small.

In the photo: Marigolds blooming in a flowerbed

Caring for marigolds

Marigolds love bright lighting, and although they tolerate partial shade and even shade well, they bloom most magnificently in the strongest sun. During growth watering should be sufficient, but as soon as the inflorescences begin to form, watering must be reduced so that the moisture does not stagnate: this causes the plants to rot and not bloom. Fertilize marigolds are not necessary at all, but if you feed them, the marigolds will respond gratefully. You need to feed with complex fertilizers when the seedlings reach a height of 10 cm, then when the first buds appear and, finally, at the very beginning of flowering.

Marigolds need regular weeding and loosening the soil, otherwise it is difficult for them to breathe. In summer, if the marigolds have grown, spend pruning to form beautiful bushes. Remove spent blooms and the plants will bloom even more. The peculiar aroma of marigolds and the phytoncides they contain serve as protection against fungal diseases not only for the plants themselves, but also for those growing in the neighborhood. It’s not for nothing that many gardeners frame their entire garden plot with marigold plantings. But if the summer is too wet, they may appear snails And slugs. The smell of bleach placed in jars between the plants can scare them away.

Sometimes it still appears on leaves and stems. gray mold. In this case, the affected plants will have to be destroyed so that they do not infect the rest of the marigolds. In dry summers, plants may be attacked by spider mites, which will have to be combated by spraying with infusion of onions, yarrow, and red hot pepper. But to prevent this from happening, try to increase the level of air humidity by spraying water around the marigolds several times a day.

Marigolds after flowering

As a rule, decorative marigolds are annual plants, so after flowering they are simply pulled out during autumn digging. If you want to grow marigolds next year, collect the seeds, dry them and store them until the end of March or beginning of February.

Do not throw away dried inflorescences; they will be useful to you around the house and in your home medicine cabinet. For example, if you have to work at the computer for a long time, eat 2-3 small heads of dark-colored marigolds before meals or add them to a salad.

In the photo: Dried marigolds

For roundworms or pinworms, adults need to eat 5 heads of marigolds, and children – 2-3 (depending on age), before bedtime for a week.

If you throw a bucket of wilted marigolds into your compost bin, there will be no midges around it.

Place a bouquet of marigolds on the windowsill and at the front door, and unexpected unkind guests will pass by your house.

And finally, we offer several recipes that may arouse interest among women:

• Lip balm(to achieve softness): Mix 2 tablespoons of chopped marigold heads with 1 tablespoon of apricot oil and 1/3 cup of olive oil. Leave the mixture in the dark for a week, then strain, carefully squeezing out the raw materials. Lubricate lips as needed.
• Facial lotion. Pour 2 tablespoons of crushed marigold inflorescences into a glass of boiling water and leave overnight, then strain, squeezing out the remainder, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of vodka. Store the lotion in the refrigerator. Wipe your face with the infusion three times a day.
• For inflammation or irritation of the facial skin, prickly heat, use this remedy: pour 2 tablespoons of crushed marigold heads into one and a half glasses of hot water, bring to a boil, then leave for 3-4 hours under the lid, strain by squeezing out the raw materials, pour in the juice of a large aloe leaf and 2 tablespoons spoons of water. Store the mixture in the refrigerator. Wipe the inflamed areas twice a day.

Properties of marigolds

A flowerbed of marigolds is an invaluable home pharmacy: modern scientific research confirms the healing properties of marigolds, known from legends and traditions, so growing marigolds not only brings aesthetic pleasure, but also brings real benefits to human health. Lutein, for example, which they contain, reduces the likelihood of developing cataracts.

Traditional medicine also treats diabetes mellitus and inflammation of the pancreas with marigolds. Medicinal marigolds, dried and then infused, treat stomatitis, bronchitis, asthma and colds, and cleanse the blood. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour a tablespoon of crushed flowers into a liter of boiling water, leave for three hours, then strain and drink a glass half an hour before meals for a month.

In the photo: Dried marigold inflorescences

Baths with the addition of marigold decoction have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, relieve stress and anxiety, so they are recommended for depression and neuroses. In addition, the peoples of South America have long used marigolds as a seasoning, for making sauces and baked goods, and for marinades. In the markets of the Caucasus, marigolds are sold as a powder added to pilaf, satsivi and soups and called “Imereti saffron” by culinary specialists. The French, in order to satisfy the demands of their gourmets, grow marigolds on an industrial scale. Marigold leaves included in marinades give canned vegetables elasticity and a pleasant aroma.

In the photo: Dried crushed marigolds

Here is a recipe for homemade cookies that you will definitely like: beat 4 egg whites into a foam; Grind 2 tablespoons of fresh marigold petals with 100 g of sugar; rubbing 4 tablespoons of butter, gradually add 4 yolks, petals with sugar, then 100 g of flour, and then carefully place the whipped whites on top and mix carefully; Place the dough on a baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden. Cut the cooled cake into squares.

Types and varieties of marigolds

There are many varieties of marigolds in culture, but three types of varieties are popular: erect marigolds (usually tall), deviated marigolds (short) and thin-leaved marigolds, which are less common in our latitudes than others. The varieties of these three species are very diverse: among them there are large-flowered and small-flowered marigolds, double and densely double marigolds in all shades of yellow, orange and brown.

Tagetes erecta

Or African marigolds, are giants of the genus, their height is from 30 to 100 cm. The inflorescences, as a rule, are single-colored and double, reaching 15 cm in diameter. Among the most popular varieties are Vanilla marigolds, 70 cm tall with creamy white double inflorescences 12 cm in diameter; Kilimanjaro marigolds 60-70 cm tall with densely double spherical inflorescences; Antigua marigolds, low, up to 25 cm in height, but erect, with large flowers - up to 15 cm in diameter, golden, lemon yellow, orange and bright yellow in color.

In the photo: Erect marigolds (Tagetes erecta)

Low growing marigold (Tagetes patula)

Or marigolds rejected, or French marigolds rarely grow above 60 cm. They are compact bushes with many double and non-double inflorescences, the diameter of which rarely exceeds 8 cm. These marigolds are also called spreading marigolds. The varieties of the Bonanza series up to 30 cm high (Bonanza Bolero, Bonanza Orange, Bonanza Flame, etc.) are in demand among flower growers, having highly decorative double inflorescences of bright flowers 5-6 cm in diameter and a long flowering time; The Carmen marigolds are very beautiful, decorating the flower garden with double inflorescences with corrugated petals of red-brown on the edges and orange-yellow in the middle shades.

Benefits and harms

Both the beneficial and negative effects of marigolds were noticed by the Aztecs, who used the plant for food and to perform magical rituals.

The dried heads of this plant are used in cooking as a substitute for the expensive spice saffron. Marigolds are also used to color foods golden. The intoxicating smell of tagetes will help cope with neuroses, stress and insomnia. Also Marigolds are used as:

• diuretic;
• anti-cold;
• diaphoretic;
• laxative and in large quantities - emetic;
• anthelmintic agent.

You will find more information about the medicinal properties and contraindications of marigolds, and the best recipes for traditional medicine based on these plants are collected.

Marigolds are widely used as a spicy aromatic herb. Essential oils contained in the inflorescences are used in the alcoholic beverage and perfume industries and in the production of oriental sweets.

Harm to the plant

Marigolds emit a specific aroma, which, according to reviews, not everyone likes. Touching their flowers causes skin irritation in particularly sensitive people. Gardeners do not advise planting the plant near beans and cabbage, as it will inhibit them, showing its allelopathic properties.

The plant (upright and deviated varieties) is used as green manure, that is, it enriches the soil. Marigolds are grown for about two months, then they are embedded in the soil. Land enriched in this way becomes more protected from pests and weeds. The effects of treatment last up to 6 years.

For reference. After such “green fertilizer”, corn and barley, tulips and asters grow well on fertilized soil.

From velvet you can prepare liquid fertilizer for garden and house flowers.. This fertilizer includes bone meal and ash. The resulting mixture is rich in potassium, nitrogen and other active substances. It reduces the acidity of the soil and increases the protective barrier of plants growing on it. It is necessary to use it in small quantities, as it can burn the roots of fertilized plants.

Plant fertilizer is made in a bucket or barrel. It is important that the container is non-metallic. It is filled with finely chopped plants with roots and filled with rainwater.

During their flowering, marigolds repel pests from the flowerbed, for example, nematodes, Colorado potato beetles, and mole crickets. Although in extreme heat the marigolds themselves may suffer from spider mites. Tagetes save the soil from weeds: creeping wheatgrass or horsetail will not grow near them.

Variety of species

Today, 53 types of Tagetes are known.. 3 types are especially popular, which consist of:

1. Tagetes erecta L- erect marigolds (“African”). These flowers have a straight, bare stem and large inflorescences. They are grown as a cut crop on an industrial scale.
2. Tagetes patula L- rejected marigolds, or small-flowered marigolds (“French”). Plants of this species are compact and have a shorter period from planting to flowering.
3. Tagetes tenuifolia- thin-leaved marigolds (“Mexican”). Plants of this species have thin, lacy leaves. From a distance, groups of these flowers look like a beautiful ball.

You will find more information about erect, deviated and thin-leaved types of marigolds, as well as how to care for them in the open ground.

The division into varieties occurs depending on the structure of the inflorescences, which are:

• dianthus;
• chrysanthemum-shaped;
• terry;
• semi-double;
• simple.

How to properly care?

Heat-loving Marigolds bloom profusely from June until the first frost. They are easy to care for, but you need to follow the basic rules when growing them. The plant does not like dense and waterlogged soil. A large amount of nitrogen in it affects its ability to bloom: marigolds will be lush, bright green, but without inflorescences. It is better to plant the plant in sunny places, since it will not bloom in the shade (we wrote about what to do if marigolds refuse to bloom).

Tagetes is a drought-resistant plant. After severe drought, it easily returns to its original state. During prolonged rains, the roots and flowers of marigolds rot.

The optimal temperature for marigolds is 18-20°C. At sub-zero temperatures they die.

The seedlings are transplanted into open ground after they have at least three pairs of leaves. Marigolds can be replanted even in bloom. The plant tolerates transplantation well.

You will find more information on when to plant marigolds in open ground or in a pot, as well as on subsequent plant care.

Diseases and pests

Although it is believed that marigolds repel pests with their smell, the plant is sometimes attacked:

• whitefly;
• snails;
• spider mite;
• slugs

Pesticides will help gardeners deal with whiteflies and spider mites. If the spider mite appears due to the heat, then the plant is sprayed with water several times a day, and then treated three times with an infusion of onion or yarrow.

If the plant is attacked by slugs or snails, you can leave a cut potato tuber near the flowers overnight, which will attract pests. The next morning, pests that have attacked the tuber are collected by hand. You will find more information on how to save marigolds from pest attacks.

When the soil is waterlogged, the roots of the plant are susceptible to fungal diseases, for example, “blackleg”. Spraying with a pink solution of potassium permanganate will help you cope with it. However, it is better to remove the affected parts of the plant to avoid infecting healthy flowers. Read about how to detect diseases and pests on marigolds and how to treat the bush, and we talked about why leaves wither and plant buds turn black and what to do in this case.

Unpretentious marigolds delight with their bright, large flowers and are a “green fertilizer” that helps grow flowers without the use of chemicals.