Marigolds perennial: planting and care, cultivation

Flowers decorate any house and garden. They create a holiday atmosphere around us, they give a spring mood and a pleasant aroma. Are not exception and marigolds are perennial, planting and care for which do not require special temporary and material costs. The name of the flowers went from their velvet ebb. In some countries they are also called black-hens.

Pros and cons of marigolds

Like any other plant, this flower has its positive and negative sides. To begin with, not everyone loves it because of its peculiar smell. The aroma is very pronounced, with hints of astringency, so some people prefer roses or carnations that smell, no doubt, better. But it is this strange odor that scares off various pests that spoil the plant and cause diseases. Of course, this is one of the advantages that marigolds have. Growing, planting and caring for them takes a little time and does not require a lot of resources, as a result, flowers are just a godsend for lazy gardeners.

In addition, the Chernobrivtsi are not afraid of drought, and this is also appreciated by truck farmers. By planting these flowers, you do not have to worry about frequent watering. In summer, the whole family has the opportunity to wave for a few weeks at sea, without worrying that the plant will die. Returning home, you will find all the same brightly blossoming marigolds perennial, planting and caring for which will become for you only a pleasure, not a universal problem.

How to land

When you decide that you want to acquire this particular plant, then hurry to the store for seeds. Choose them so that they are all the same size, without any damage, not wet and not overdried. When they sprout, then instead of a bare flower bed outside the window, we will have a whole floral planet. Marigolds, planting and caring for which will become a real pleasure, will be able to bring an atmosphere of joy and ease to any home.

Seeds are planted in small holes, the distance between which should be about 2 centimeters. On top, they are sprinkled with earth (a layer no more than a centimeter), then watered. By the way, there should not be much water. It is necessary to withstand moderate watering before the appearance of the first shoots.

When the appearance of leaf-pioneers is noticeable, flowers are transplanted into a new place. If they were pots, now it's an open ground. In this case, the black-hens should not be very close to each other. Plant them better with even beautiful rows or geometric figures. Choose your version of the pattern can be in special publications, where the detailed description of the cultivation of marigolds from seeds, planting, varieties and properties of marigolds.

How to get seeds for re-planting

Of course, when you see the fruit of your efforts one time - a whole field of flowers outside the window, then you want to drop the marigolds next year. Planting and care, species and plant varieties will become a real hobby that will completely capture you in the early spring. It is during this period that the plant can be planted in a warm room. With the advent of April and May, they can be transplanted into the open ground or you can do it right away, but not before the time when frosts and colds recede.

If you want to plant marigolds and the next year, then leave on the flowerbed a few flowers until they dry completely. Then from the cup should be carefully removed seeds, a little of their dried and put off until the next spring. Just be aware that the blackbrickers obtained in this way will not always look like last year's. They can differ in shape and color, since the most popular varieties are usually hybrids. Their hereditary signs are sometimes manifested through several generations of plants. Professionals are usually advised to plant seeds a maximum of two years ago, because older samples lose their ability to quickly shoot and bloom.

What land like marigolds

As we have already understood, these flowers can be grown in two ways: in the form of seedlings and directly into the open ground. Every gardener chooses the way that is more suitable for him. In any case, the ground should be as loose as possible. It is better when you observe the proportions of humus, peat, turf and sand. The last component should be taken half as much as other components. Flowers also need good drainage. This is easy to achieve by pouring on three centimeters of soil with a mixture of gravel, sand and expanded clay. Just before planting, fertilizers can be introduced into the soil, but not fresh manure.

If you planted marigolds in the open ground, they will ascend in a week, and blossom in 2-3 months. With this method, seeds are thrown into specially prepared grooves, the depth of which is one and a half to two centimeters. If you have chosen a seedling method, then the seeds should be planted in boxes. The first shoots should appear in about 10 days.

Features of care

When the first leaves appear on the site, there is no limit to the joy. But now you have new worries - this is the cultivation of marigolds, the care and transplantation of plants. As already mentioned, they are unpretentious, but still avoid excessive humidity and shade (this does not affect young shoots very well). Ideal for growing flowers is the air temperature in the area of + 23-25 degrees Celsius. From a cold wind the plant should be protected by special partitions with a transparent film. Fertilize the marigolds once a month. This is enough that they not only grow quickly, but also flourish blossom. Water the plant is not strong, otherwise stagnant moisture can cause rotting sprouts.

Top-dressing is done according to this schedule:

1. The shoots reached a height of 10 centimeters.
2. The first buds appeared.
3. The beginning of flowering.

In addition, the flowers must be periodically weeded to ensure normal air circulation in the ground. If you want the bushes to have a beautiful shape, sometimes cut them. Dry leaves and flowers must be removed.

How to deal with pests and avoid disease

Usually this is not difficult. Endowed with a specific smell, marigolds scare off harmful insects, protect themselves from fungi and nematodes. Moreover, gardeners plant them along the edges of the plot so that they become a shield for other plants that are inside. And this is rational, since marigolds, sowing, nursing, whose varieties have unpretentious nature, are simultaneously very aggressive towards external stimuli. Colorado beetle bypasses their side, other insects also do not like to luxuriate in the leaves of this plant.

If, on the flowers during the drought, a spider mite becomes entrapped, then it is easy to get rid of it by spraying and watering. At the same time, excessive rains threaten the flowers with the appearance of fungi and rot. With this we are struggling by drying the earth and providing access to the bushes of a large amount of sunlight. Usually this plant is affected by gray rot - it is easy to recognize by dark brown spots. Patient marigolds need to be removed quickly.

Varieties

Whatever this plant may seem simple and of the same type, there are 60 varieties of it. Most of them are hybrid, grown by crossing and during experiments. The most popular species are erect, thin-leaved and deviated marigolds. Description of the variety, growing conditions, care, application of fertilizers in all of them usually do not differ much in anything.

But there are varieties that are not similar to others. For example, a variety of flowers grown in Latin America, helps with constipation, and it is also an excellent emetic and diuretic. The seasoning, known in the world as Imeretian saffron, is also made from this plant.

There are carnivorous, terry, semimark and other varieties of marigolds. Usually they have yellow or orange color, but there are also varieties of plants with white and burgundy buds. Any marigold perennial, planting and care for which is not too expensive, are a very colorful decoration of the country plot, a city flower bed or a balcony in a high-rise building.

Marigolds as part of landscape design

If you decide to plant the seeds of this plant, then follow certain rules to ensure that the overall appearance is not too faded or catchy, piled up or half-empty. In the small flowers determine the place along the edges of the flower bed, filling it with the middle ones that are higher. The whole composition will be well seen.

A flower bed can be the same color. But it's better to combine different shades, for example, white and red, brown and yellow. Flowering will delight the eye the whole summer, if some plants wither or wither, new buds will aesthetically cover them.

Marigolds are an ideal material for creating a live curb. If you also grow vegetables in addition to flowers, then plant this fragrant plant on the edges of the garden. Thus, you give it a beautiful view and protect the crop from pests, which are deterred by a specific smell of flowers.

Invaluable use

Flowers not only decorate flowerbeds and beds, but are also actively used in folk medicine and cooking. Tincture from this plant improves metabolism, calms the nervous system and relieves stress. Marigolds are an excellent cholagogue, which helps with the initial stages of diabetes, which ensures a decrease in blood sugar levels. With problems with the pancreas, alopecia, poor eyesight, psoriasis, they are also irreplaceable. Our ancestors used them to treat colds and flu.

As for cooking, here marigolds are used in pickles and marinades as spices. They contain a whole bunch of essential oils and coloring components. Dried and milled to the state of powder, the plant is stored in glass containers and used as a seasoning. And fresh leaves of flowers are suitable for salads. In short, marigolds are perennial, planting and caring for which do not cause any particular trouble, will not only become part of landscape design, but will also help cure a number of diseases, and also make dishes more spicy.