The vibrant colors characteristic of marigolds brighten up any garden, making the landscape a joy to behold. Blossoms can be 5 inches across on stems nearing 3 feet tall. Where are you gardening? In fact, unless the weather is unusually dry and hot, they don’t need anything besides a good soaking once a week. Tagetes erecta, commonly known as the African marigold, made its way to France and North Africa. French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) French marigolds are prized for their long, prolific blooms. I’ve got a major soft spot for white and yellow flowers, and the delightfully creamy texture of this one finds me ordering seeds on a regular basis. I cringe Everytime it rains because I have the most beautiful flowers and I know the rain is going to lay them down. And what’s a gardener to do with all those blooms? But I’ve found that a quick potting up with some adjustment to the roots can usually be done quickly enough that it won’t cause too much in the way of transplant shock. I like to plant the French types with my vegetables because they don’t get as pushy as T. erecta, and offer a nice combination of color that matches my tomatoes and cucumbers. These flowers are useful in decorating and can also be effectively used for borders around vegetable gardens to prevent damage by insects. Leaves yellow and dry out, those that are exposed to bright sunlight turning purplish first. When the light source is too dim or far away, the seedlings kick into survival mode and grow quickly in height to try to get closer to that light. They do beautifully in a range of climates, and I have grown them successfully myself on both coasts. For a good show of the tall types right away, buy more mature American varieties in individual pots. Many of the selections people are familiar with only grow to be six inches to a foot tall, however, there some varieties can grow to be five feet tall. Thank you. That’s exactly what my orange cosmos did. I started growing marigolds from seed indoors in a 2-gallon plastic water jug with the top cut off and holes poked through the bottom for drainage,about 5-weeks ago(a school project with my son). Marigolds are no different. Durango offers intense colors with a warm orangish-red center outlined in a softer orange. If that’s not an option, what I would do is save it as a PDF, and email a copy to her. The small marigolds are French marigolds (Tagetes patula), which mature as 6- to 12-inch tall bushes. That being said, you can buy open open pollinated heirloom varieties where seed collecting is a viable option. See our TOS for more details. If you planted marigolds in that bed I’d guess you’re interested mostly in annuals for these north-facing beds? Marigolds For Vegetable Gardens. The giant blooms are a sampling of delightful and cheery yellows and oranges that look like they’re straight from a big ol’ box of Crayola crayons. With shorter French varieties, I’ll tilt the plants about 20 degrees so they’re facing forward, or whatever direction I want them to face. If for some reason I cannot get them outdoors, then I should repot them indoors to a larger pot? This problem is caused by the fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae. Space them according to the information on their tags, and step back to look at the setup. Marigolds are typically limited to shades of yellow, red, and orange – so spotting a unique, pink-colored cultivar such as ‘Strawberry Blonde’ is quite a thrill. Now, I know what variety of marigold I want to get. Don’t worry. Optimum temperature for the germination of seeds is 19°C. I’ve specifically planted marigolds with petunias, alyssum, dahlias, and another favorite of mine, chamomile. You get all of the benefits that you’re looking for with this type of flower, with little of the vigorous competitiveness found in some other varieties. He presently resides in Philadelphia and works under the sun as a landscaper and gardener, and by moonlight as a writer. Marigolds certainly thrive on sunshine and some open exposure. Create a bountiful bouquet! Color: I’ve seen other gardeners plant them when rotating their crops, to ensure healthier soil. I have been reading articles about marigolds for hours, but I stopped searching after reading this article. These Ladies are tall, upright marigolds that reach 18-24 inches tall with blooms that measure 3-4 inches across! Thank you for this informative and delightful story. This flower is native to Mexico and Central America. Why Do Mature Plants Become Spindly? Keep a diligent eye out for spider mites when the weather is hot and dry, and look for little weblike buildups on plants to indicate their presence. French Marigolds. They are excellent for planting among taller plants in need of pollination. In my own case, the seedlings often crash shortly after germination, or when they grow they are a stunted and weak version of the parent plant. Tall marigolds are sometimes labeled African marigolds, and the dwarf kinds are often called. Some species, such as Calendula officinalis, share similarities with our friend Tagetes, and even have a common nickname of marigold. Harder to find but worth looking for are the Discovery and Gold Coins™ Series of marigolds. So even though a T5 fluorescent grow light looks bright to your eyes, it is practically dark compared to what the seedlings are used to. The upright, taller marigolds are African or American marigolds (Tagetes erecta), growing 24 to 48 inches tall. I think I know why now; I was planting them in north-facing beds right in front of my house. Growing to be only 12-14” tall, this mixture is great for the border of meadows, a small space garden or containers. I … After a considerable length of time, the flowers naturalized to the environment of North Africa so that when European settlers visited the region, they assumed the flowers were African in origin. Dwarf types of marigolds tend to be injured more severely than taller ones. T. erecta can be especially demanding of space in containers. African marigolds don’t require so much tilting, but a slight lean forward makes the planting appear less rigid. There’s a reason people have used these flowers as a garden staple for a very long time. They are a surprisingly far-flung flower that has traveled across the Atlantic on multiple occasions. This is one of … Plus, she lives in Northern Calif., so it’s often very dry. Dwarf types of marigolds tend to be injured more severely than taller ones. That’s exactly what my orange cosmos did. So tall. If you want to have your marigolds at their prime size in time for mid-spring planting, start them indoors about fifty days before the last frost date. So charming twenty years ago with his cute accent and curly blonde hair. Although capable of growing in a part-sun environment, marigolds will never shine in these conditions. All in pots. Good information The marigold seeds do not need sunlight to germinate, but they do benefit from a clear plastic lid acting as a greenhouse lid. Half a dozen arrow-straight marigolds sure look nice, but freshly planted flowers are almost always so obvious.That’s not bad in and of itself, and many gardeners love that fresh, manicured look. From Mary. Which tall marigolds are the best? Easy-to-grow and providing a nice range of colors, the Antigua series is probably what comes to mind when people imagine these blooms. My large yellow African marigolds bloomed like crazy until early August. Shall we? Also, try planting Marigolds in your veggie garden to help attract beneficial insects. 4.0 out of 5 stars 253. Helpful. For the experienced gardener, a marigold offers an easy win and reliable performance that can be counted on year after year. Watering: Marigolds do not need regular watering but require so during the dry spells. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Marigolds like continuously warm or hot weather – not cold and hot weather – after all most of the marigolds we have in the US come from Mexico. My store-bought, already grown marigolds are on their third blooms, and more buds are waiting to bloom. And the orange, yellow and gold blooms reach up to 5 inches across! Tall marigolds – they’re a true gift to the garden! Hi Cinda, That sounds like a plausible explanation. Native to sunny and warm climates, Tagetes prefer brightly sunny areas with moderately-rich soil. It’s been over two months and they grew to 8 inches tall with lots of foliage but no flowers at all. But if you want something more flowing and natural, consider the following: You can tilt the root balls once they’re planted and before patting down the soil to avoid a repetitive unnatural grouping of plants that are standing straight up like soldiers. Sorry for the delayed reply, Keith. It maintains good-sized flowerheads but rarely stretches to a height of more than six inches. For a good show of the tall types right away, buy more mature American varieties in individual pots. gardengus said:It looks like some one slipped an african marigold among the french type. They might be a familiar sight, but marigolds have a few tricks available to them that can surprise even the most educated gardener. Keep in mind that most flowers sold in retail stores have been produced and grown under perfect conditions, so they likely have extensive root systems that are beginning to girdle the plant. Happy 40th, Bridget! Try combining marigolds, tomatoes, basil, and alyssum in a planting. Might be that they’re getting too much water? Right now the nights are too cold. Too much rain can be bad for them so … Plant French marigolds in well-drained soil in full sun. That can lead to fungal problems, that’s often what causes flower blooms to get all gross like that and fail to open. Flowering plants put a lot of energy into producing blooms, and many gardeners choose to pinch off any buds as soon as they plant their nursery starts. ), but quite a few annuals would thrive here as well.… Read more ». FL. Here, the story of Tagetes takes both directions at a fork in the road. After you’ve thinned the marigold seedlings you can transplant each soon-to-be flower into its own pot and keep them waiting inside until your last frost date! Do you think I can skip that step and just plant now? Tall marigolds have huge blooms, many 3-5 inches across! I'm a great lover of flowers but unfortunately my thumb is not green so I keep the standards: geraniums and marigolds, and end up replacing the other flowers that have died off. Chances are you’ve seen them in gorgeous mass plantings here and there, but maybe not at your local nursery or garden center. We’ve had a lot of rain and softened the soil. You’ve given me lots of ideas to play with. These are pretty hardy flowers and can take a beating, so don’t worry about removing that extra foliage for the overall health of the plant! Well, it probably depends on your personal preferences, but here are a few of my favorites: The Lady Hybrid Series from Burpee was a real breakthrough when it first arrived on the market years ago, and these marigolds are still superlative. When you put them in a vase, make sure there’s no foliage below the water line. Unfortunately, there’s only so much growing a seedling can do and what it gains in height, it sacrifices in girth, resulting in thin, fragile stems. As a result they grow towards the light source as fast as they can, which gives them that leggy appearance. A lack of flowers on your marigolds may mean that your landscape isn't getting enough love from the sun. Use hand shears or clippers for clean cuts on other marigold varieties. How to Plant and Grow Ginger in Your Home Garden, Use Beneficial Nematodes to Reduce Bad Bugs in Your Garden, How to Grow Anise Hyssop: A Flowering Perennial Perfect for Borders, Identify and Treat Tomatoes with Sclerotinia Stem Rot, A Review of In Bloom: Growing, Harvesting, and Arranging Homegrown Flowers All Year Round, 7 of the Best Collard Greens Varieties to Grow at Home, How to Keep Kale from Wilting in the Garden, Makes an excellent trap crop for aphids and nematodes. They’ll give you a great display in your garden, as well as fantastic, long-lasting bouquets. Marigolds have daisy-like or double, carnation-like flowerheads and are produced singly or in clusters. Is there any way I could get a printout of this article? 42 Responses to post “Cosmos, the Tall and Short of It” From Pam/Digging: September 21st, 2007 . In trees, girdling roots can be a major problem years down the road, as the roots practically strangle the tree. That’s a great milestone to reach. Marigolds also perform best in full sun, which will keep tall plants sturdy and help form large, dense, blooms and foliage. Marigold Sparky Mix is so easy to grow that it is the perfect choice for a child’s first garden. In addition to developing weaker and less prolific blooms, when grown in the shade, they become susceptible to powdery mildew and a host of rots that affect buds and stems. They’re vigorous growers that require little care and are happy to deter pests and improve soil health, all while putting on a great show of color through the entire summer. How could these flowers be something referenced in biblical tales if the Americas weren’t even discovered yet? The foliage so far does not have the sent. Moonsong Deep Orange Seeds, available from True Leaf Market. We’re so glad you enjoyed the article, Rita! French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) French marigolds are prized for their long, prolific blooms. Before we get too far into this, I have a confession: So, if you were expecting an article about these annual flowers that’s written with journalistic detachment, you’re out of luck. My wife and I moved late last year and this spring I foolishly planted some marigolds in a north-facing bed. They’re also easily grown from seed! Of French and African types, yielding mid-sized plants and request them to grow well in Africa and... 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