What are Marigolds flowers?
Marigolds are annual bedding plants with fern-like foliage and warm colors. They are popular among gardeners who love adding colors to their backyards.
The flowers vary in size and have different colors. Among the common colors include red, yellow, orange, and white.
Marigold flowers are also known for their distinctive scent. This is why they are used for pest resistance in the garden.
The strong scent deters whiteflies. These flowers come in different species, which gardeners can select depending on their preference.
Types of Marigolds flowers
Three main types can be included in the list of marigold flowers that are popular with gardeners.
They include French marigolds, the larger African marigolds, and the Signet marigolds.
- African marigolds
Among the most popular marigolds are the African marigolds. This is regarded as the tallest species of marigold. The plant can grow up to 3 to 4 feet in height.
The African marigold is also known for excellent flowering. It blooms with large flowers. The plant is also popular for thriving under drought-like conditions.
- French marigolds
The French marigold is smaller compared to the African species. The flower is, however, bushy with flowers. It is also taller in size with an eye-catching height.
The French marigold has large flowers that can grow bigger when mature. This species is known to do well under rainy weather.
- Signet marigolds
The third type of marigold plant is the signet marigold. This species also has large flowers. They are, however, not as tall as the other marigold species. The signet marigolds are known to do well under hot weather.
Steps to Growing Marigold Flowers
Growing marigold flowers is one of the biggest challenges for gardeners. But it is doable if the gardener can follow some easy steps to growing this flower.
Step 1: Decide when to plant
The first step of growing flowers is deciding when and where to plant. When to plant the flowers should be a major concern because it determines their survival.
It would help if you devised a plan on when to prepare and plant the marigold depending on their type.
Planting marigolds during the early spring period mostly favors the taller African varieties. This is because this variety does well under warm conditions. These varieties must be prepared for planting after the frosting period.
The earlier you plant the marigold during the onset of the summer season, the better for its maturity.
Marigolds, including the French and Signet types, can be planted mid or late summer. This is because they are quick to grow. They also resist extreme temperatures, which may not be good for the African marigold.
Step 2: decide where to plant
It is also important to decide where to plant your marigold flowers. This is dependent on the preference of the gardener. It should also consider the type of marigold, considering that they require different conditions.
Some marigold plants, such as the African type, require open spaces for easier access to sunlight.
They should not be heavily shaded. This means it is a special variety that requires prior consideration of the planting space.
All marigold plant types must be protected from extreme winds and rainfall. This is because they are flowering plants that such forces can damage.
The taller varieties must also be planted in spaces where they can flourish with minimal difficulties.
Step 3: Decide how to plant
There is also the issue of how the marigold should be planted. Marigolds are special flowers that require extra attention and care.
The flowers germinate quickly and bloom faster. It is important to decide how best to plant these flowers.
A major recommendation for this step is to identify the special requirements of each marigold plant.
It is good to plant marigold seeds to protect them from extreme weather. There is also a need to plant marigold flowers where they can flourish quicker.
Proper spacing is also recommended when planting the marigold flowers. It is important to conduct further research on planting marigold flowers using quality selected seeds or alternative methods. This can help you understand the right procedures to follow for each method.
Best season to plant Marigold Flowers
There is a good season to plant marigold flowers, just like other flowers have a favorite period. But this is also dependent on the type of the marigold flower.
Experts recommended that the French and the signet be best planted in late summer. This differs from the African marigold that should be planted at the onset of summer.
Experts recommend that a good way of planting the marigold is to sow seeds in the early spring. This can be done indoors before the marigold start to germinate. The plant can then be moved outside, where the summer season fully kicks in.
Remember that choosing the right conditions for the marigold gold is a benefit because it encourages quick sprouting and maturing of the flowers.
Is it better to plant Marigold in containers or on the ground?
Marigolds can be grown in different ways depending on the gardener’s preference. It is, however, indicated that marigolds do well in containers.
The containers have to be well drained to avoid soggy soils. Searching for information or seeking expert opinions about the right containers for your marigold is good.
How to Care for Marigold Flowers
Marigolds should be well cared for to ensure that they bloom quickly. Several recommendations can guide how best to provide care at the different stages of growth.
- Light
One of the best ways to care for a marigold plant is to provide enough sunlight. This is especially for the African marigold type.
The provision of enough sunlight ensures that you have healthier flowers. It is important to avoid shady conditions that last for a long time because they delay marigold flower blooming.
- Water
Proper watering is the other good way to care for the marigold flowers. Ensuring that the marigold flowers have access to enough water is good.
However, it is also good to avoid overwatering the flowers. This is because the marigold flowers do not do well under soggy conditions.
- Pruning
Looking for better ways of pruning the marigold flowers is also recommended. This is because it helps with easier sprouting. Pruning also helps to avoid bushy marigold flowers.
The pruning should be done during the blooming season. This is especially during the summer. Pruning can be done by deadheading or removing dead flower heads.
- Transplanting
Transplanting the marigolds is also another way of providing care. This is considered great for refreshing the plant.
It helps to introduce new favorable conditions for the better flourishing of the marigold plant. The only caution is to ensure that the marigold plant is protected from damage when transplanting.
Are marigolds self-seeding?
A major level of confusion among gardeners is whether the marigolds can self-seed. It has been highlighted that marigolds are prolific self-seeders.
That is why it is important to weed the marigold’s gardens regularly. Understanding how best to get the best seeds out of the marigold plant is also important.
Do marigold flowers bloom all year round?
Marigolds can bloom throughout the year. But they require warm climates to do so. The common understanding is that marigolds just like the artichoke plants are annuals.
But when provided with care, they can bloom all year. When not cared for, the marigolds can easily die back during winter.
For some species, the marigold flower survives only in warmer climates. That is why it is important to understand the different types of marigolds and review how best they can survive in your environment.
How to reseed marigolds
Reseeding the marigolds is considered one of the best ways of maintaining a species. Ensuring that the marigolds reseed requires proper care.
It is important to protect the seed part of the plant. In a nutshell, growing marigolds is not complex, but it requires proper information that will guide you.