Marigolds (Tagetes) or black-brewers are the first overseas flowering plants that appeared in the 16th century in Russia. These herbaceous annuals and perennials from the Astrov family have almost 40 different species and are known in many countries of the world.
Flowering bushes consist of a fibrous root system, branched or erect stems with leaves of various green shades, yellow, orange or light brown flowers and achene fruits. A feature of the plants is the long flowering period, which begins in June and ends with the arrival of the first autumn frosts, as well as a strong spicy aroma emanating from the leaves. Crops often multiply by self-sowing, high seed germination is maintained for three or four years. The height of the bush depends on the species and variety - it starts from 20 cm and often reaches 130 cm.
Growing marigolds from seeds
Even beginners in floriculture can grow unpretentious marigold flowers. Plants easily take root when transplanting a flowering bush and give good shoots during seed reproduction.
Sowing seeds
A favorable time for sowing marigold seeds in open ground is the middle or second half of May, when the soil will be sufficiently warmed up in the sun. Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in early spring. If you sow different types of marigolds with a small interval, then their active flowering will begin simultaneously at the beginning of summer. The earlier the sowing, the faster the plants will bloom.
How to plant marigolds correctly
On an open flower garden, it is necessary to prepare small grooves about 5 cm deep, water them abundantly, sow seeds and sprinkle with soil. Seedlings should appear in about 10-15 days. Dense plantings need to be thinned out.
Before sowing seeds for seedlings, it is recommended to germinate them. This requires a saucer covered with damp gauze or a thin cloth and a plastic bag. Seeds of marigolds are laid out on gauze, covered with a bag and left for three days in a warm room. Sprouted seeds can be planted in planting boxes.
A three-centimeter drainage layer of expanded clay, coarse sand or crushed stone is placed at the bottom of the landing container. A soil mixture is poured on top, consisting of turf, peat, humus (one part), coarse river sand (half a part), a small amount of organic fertilizer, pre-treated with a fungicide solution or potassium permanganate of a pinkish hue. Fresh manure cannot be added to the soil mixture.
The distance between the planting grooves in the container is 1.5-2 cm. The seeds are laid out in the furrows, sprinkled with a thin layer of soil and watered carefully.
Seedlings of marigolds
Caring for marigold seedlings is to regularly moisten the substrate.The boxes are kept in a warm room with a temperature of 22-25 degrees. After about 5-10 shoots will appear, after which you will need brighter and longer lighting and a lower air temperature - about 18 degrees Celsius.
Planting seedlings in open ground
For planting in open ground, marigolds with a powerful root system and at least three full-fledged leaves are suitable. Favorable time - late May - early June. The soil on the site needs loamy and neutral in composition, with all the necessary nutrients and good moisture. On a land area with infertile soil, mineral or organic fertilizers are applied 2-3 times a season.
The interval between plantings of seedlings depends on the type and variety of marigolds: high ones are planted after 40 cm, medium ones - after 30 cm, and low ones - after 20 cm.In the first time after planting in open ground, the seedlings must be regularly and abundantly watered.
Marigold care
Location and lighting
Since marigolds are very light-loving crops, they should grow in an open, sunny area with bright light. In the shade and partial shade, flower bushes will lose their splendor and attractiveness.
Watering
Abundant and regular watering is required only until the period of formation of marigold inflorescences, after which the volume and frequency of moisture is significantly reduced. Stagnation and excess moisture can lead to rot.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Fertilization is not mandatory for marigolds, but with additional feeding, the decorativeness of crops increases. You can feed the flowers with complex mineral fertilizers 3 times a season - when they reach a height of 10 cm, during the period of bud formation and at the beginning of flowering.
The soil
Caring for a flower garden consists in regularly loosening the soil and removing weeds.
Pruning
Formative pruning of marigolds is carried out in the middle of summer and contributes to the more attractive appearance of flowering plants. Beautiful overgrown bushes can be given any shape at the request of the grower.
Sanitary pruning is the removal of dead buds and a more lush bloom.
Marigolds after flowering
Collection and storage of seeds
Seeds of marigolds are harvested in the fall, carefully dried and stored until the next season. Although seed germination remains high for 3-4 years, it is still better to sow fresh seed.
Diseases and pests
An unusual aroma, phytoncides in the composition of marigolds and maintaining a constant high humidity in the flower bed are a guarantee that pests and diseases will not appear here. Flowers are highly resistant to all diseases and pests, and are also able to protect neighboring crops. True, with high humidity on the site, snails and slugs can multiply or gray rot can form. Pests can be scared away by the smell of bleach by placing small containers with this substance in the flower bed. But it is very difficult to fight the disease. It is very important to immediately remove diseased specimens from the flower garden.
As a prophylaxis against spider mites, it is recommended to spray flowering plants with onion or pepper infusion (from hot red pepper).
Useful properties of marigolds
Marigolds are classified as medicinal plants, so a flower bed with these flowers can be considered a home pharmacy. Their healing properties have been confirmed in the course of scientific research, and traditional medicine has been using these wonderful plants in its recipes for decades. Tinctures and decoctions are prepared from the flowers, they are dried and crushed to make herbal tea. With the help of marigolds, it is possible to get rid of flu and colds, from bronchitis and asthma, from stomatitis and diabetes mellitus. The healing composition of the plant relieves inflammation and purifies the blood, restores the normal functioning of the pancreas and reduces the appearance of cataracts. Medicinal infusion is prepared from one liter of boiling water and a tablespoon of dried flowers.It is insisted for three hours, after which it is filtered and taken 30 minutes before meals, one glass for 30 days.
It is recommended to add a decoction of marigolds to bathing water. Baths with these flowers have a relaxing and calming effect, relieve stress and anxiety, relieve nervous tension and depression.
In addition to medicinal properties, flowers are a real decoration of a garden plot or flower garden for several months. Their decorative qualities are appreciated by flower growers and landscape designers.
Chefs and culinary specialists from different countries and nationalities use marigolds as a seasoning. They are added to sauces, marinades, baked goods, first and second courses, and canning. The culinary artisans use the flowers and leaves of the plant fresh and dried. Everyone can try to cook at least one dish using a flowering plant. For example, a cookie recipe is proposed in which you will need the following products: 4 eggs, 100 grams of sugar, 4 tablespoons of butter, 100 grams of flour and 2 tablespoons of flower petals. Grind the petals with sugar, gradually add butter, grated with yolks, flour, whipped whites to them, stir the dough thoroughly and spread on a baking sheet. Cookies are baked until golden brown, cooled and cut.
The use of marigold inflorescences
The beneficial properties of marigold inflorescences can be used in many situations:
- With regular and long work at the computer, it is recommended to eat 2-3 dark brown inflorescences a few minutes before meals or during meals (for example, adding them to a vegetable salad);
- If pinworms or roundworms are found, several inflorescences should be eaten daily, shortly before bedtime (children - 2 or 3, adults - 5 each);
- Withered inflorescences of marigolds on the surface of the compost pit scare away midges;
- Marigolds are also considered a miracle cure for a bad word and an evil eye; a small bunch of fresh flowers, placed at a short distance from the front door, do not allow unexpected bad people into the house;
- Traditional medicine recipes suggest using marigold inflorescences to make lip balm and facial lotion.
Popular types and varieties of marigolds
Among the large number of varieties and varieties, you can find marigolds of different heights, splendor, color of leaves and flowers. Simple and double, small and large inflorescences attract attention with yellow, red, brown and orange shades.
Erect marigolds (Tagetes erecta) - tall marigolds, the height of which reaches one meter, and the diameter of bright yellow and orange inflorescences is about 15 cm. Popular varieties are Vanilla, Kilimanjaro with a height of about seventy centimeters and undersized Antigua (15-20 cm high).
Marigolds undersized, or rejected, or French (Tagetes patula) - marigolds with flowers of medium diameter (7-8 cm) and a small height, which rarely exceeds the mark of 60 cm. On compact bushes there are usually a large number of inflorescences and dense foliage. Bright double or non-double inflorescences have high decorative qualities and attract the attention of florists and gardeners for a long flowering period. Popular varieties are Bonanza Orange, Bonanza Flame, Bonanza Bolero and Carmen.
Marigolds fine-leaved, or Mexican - marigolds with openwork lace leaves with a pleasant aroma and fireworks from numerous small inflorescences of yellow, golden, red, orange. This species has been cultivated since the second half of the eighteenth century. Its feature is a powerful root part with several adventitious roots at the bottom of the stem and a small height - 30-40 cm. Nowadays, about seventy different varieties are known. The most popular ones are Lulu, Ursula, Gnome, Paprika, and Golden Jam.
