How to grow Marigold?
- Latin Family: Asteraceae
- Latin Genus: Tagetes
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Annual
Not to be confused with the European Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis), this American plant is a popular ornamental flower, companion plant and even cover crop. It is available in a variety of sizes from 6" to 36" in height and with a variety of orange, yellow, gold or russet flowers.
Marigolds are a favorite companion plant for vegetable gardens as they (some varieties) have insect repelling properties.
Marigold History
Sometimes known as African or French Marigolds, the various Tagetes species are all native to North America and can be found from southern North America down into South America. They were first brought back to Europe in the 16th century and since then hundreds of varieties have been produced.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.5 - 7.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 5.8 - 6.2
Any well drained garden soil will work. It doesn't need to be very rich as this can result in excessive foliage growth and less flowers.
How to care for Marigold?
Very easily grown from seed, Marigolds require little attention and are a favorite plant for children to grow.
Water
Marigolds are somewhat drought tolerant, but flower best if the soil is slightly moist (not wet though).
Fertilizer
Marigolds aren't very hungry plants and growing them in rich soil can actually result in lush growth at the expense of flowers.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 2 - 4 years
Marigolds produce seed freely (if the faded flowers are left on the plants), though their offspring will be a mix of different characteristics, unless you hand pollinate. The heavy flowering hybrid Marigolds, Triploids are sterile and so don't produce viable seed.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Marigolds need full sun for best growth. They won't grow nearly as well in part shade and flowering will be delayed.
Conditions:Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Problems
Marigold Types
- French
- Hybrid
- African / American
French Marigolds (T. patula) are small, bushier plants. They continuously bloom until the first frost.
Tripolid Marigolds are a hybrid of French and African types. They have beautiful flowers and seem to never stop blooming. They do have sterile seed, however.
African/American Marigolds (T. erecta) are taller plants that can grow to be 3' tall. They have larger blossoms, but their flowering period is shorter than French Marigolds.
Pests
- Spider Mites
- Leafhoppers
- Slugs and snails
- Whiteflies
- Aphids
- Leafminers
- Thrips
Diseases
- Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV)
- Gray Mold Botrytis Fruit Rot
- Septoria Leaf Spot
- Aster Yellows
- Bacterial Wilt
- Bacterial Spot
- Southern Bacterial Wilt
- Fusarium Wilt
- Damping Off
- Alternaria Blight
- Root Rot
- Verticillium Wilt
