Perennial marigolds planting and care, growing from seeds: when to plant Chernobrivtsy in open ground, medicinal properties and photo tagetes. Marigolds: varieties, descriptions and photos of flowers

The first admirers of these flowers - the Aztecs - sowed all their gardens with them just for beauty. Soon golden flowers began to be used in the treatment and prevention of fever, exhaustion and kidney disease. They did not forget about marigolds during ritual ceremonies.

The Indians were sure that students' flowers always grew where gold could be found. And now Latin Americans respect perennial marigolds and decorate their homes with them on All Dead Day and always plant graves with these plants. With the spread of Tagetes throughout the world, their popularity does not decrease at all: in many countries, marigolds symbolize longevity.

The stems of this flower are straight with branches and can grow from 20 cm to 120 cm, depending on the variety. The root system is taproot. The castings are most often divided, with teeth. They are both light and dark green, located opposite each other, and sometimes alternately (“ladder”).

Inflorescences in the form of a basket, there are double and simple, you can find plants in all shades of yellow, orange and brown.

Representatives of this variety have medium-sized heads, which are formed by one row of leaves fused to each other. They bloom for quite a long time - from June until the first frost.

On a note. The fruits of marigolds are in the form of black or black-brown seeds. They can be stored for 3-4 years.

Types and varieties

Landing of Tagetes

Reference. Planting marigolds will not cause any trouble even for a novice gardener, because this is one of the most unpretentious plants, which in 99% of cases grow beautifully and delight everyone with their appearance.

The student flower will easily germinate if you sow the seeds in open ground, but this can be done no earlier than May, when the soil is sufficiently warmed up. And here If you want to enjoy flowering earlier, it would be a good idea to start with seedlings.

Photo

Breeding seedlings

You will only have to spend money on purchasing seeds in the store once, because in subsequent years you can use the seeds collected from your own dried flowers. The main thing is to store the seeds dry for a year.

But with this method of obtaining seeds, it must be taken into account that marigolds are mainly hybrids, and therefore every fourth generation of seeds will have the species characteristics of only one of its parents. Due to this most experienced gardeners use sprouted seeds. You can get them too. To do this you need:

1. Place the seeds on a plate and cover with a damp cloth.
2. send the plate into a plastic bag and place it in the body.

In just three days you will receive hatched seeds.

The time for planting seeds for seedlings depends only on your desire. The sooner you want to see flowering, the earlier you plant the seeds; this can be done even in early spring. There are some nuances of sowing that should not be missed. For example:

1. The composition of the soil, which should include humus, peat, turf and sand. All this must be disinfected with a disinfecting solution of fungicide or potassium permanganate.
2. Don't forget about a drainage layer about 3 cm high and organic fertilizer (but not manure!).
3. Make holes and place the seeds at a distance of 1.5-2 cm, then sprinkle with a small amount of soil.
4. Be extremely careful when watering so as not to accidentally wash the seeds with a sharp stream of water. And make sure that the soil does not dry out.
5. It is necessary to place boxes with seedlings in a place where the temperature reaches 22-25 degrees above zero.
6. No later than seven days you should see sprouts, after which move the containers to a bright place, and the temperature can be slightly reduced to 15-18 degrees Celsius.

You will learn about growing marigolds from seeds, and read how to grow seedlings yourself.

Marigolds can be planted outside only after the danger of frost has passed. Usually this is the end of May - beginning of June. But this procedure can be carried out only when the sprouts have at least three leaves and the root system is sufficiently formed.

Golden flowers always need well-moistened soil. during the formation of the plant, and if it is not fertile, your task will be to feed the soil with fertilizers during the period of growth and flowering of marigolds. Lack of watering can cause the leaves and stems to be weak and the inflorescences to be small.

Selecting a location

Chernobryv residents love the sun. This fact must be taken into account when choosing a landing site. These flowers are perfect for borders.

On a note! In the garden, it is advisable to plant them near cabbage, potatoes and various berries - the flowers will help you in the fight against pests.

Mature plants no longer need abundant watering. It is better not to plant marigolds very densely; these flowers love freedom. We wrote more about how to plant marigolds in open ground.

Care

If your pets find themselves in a place where strong winds constantly blow, then it will be necessary to provide them with some kind of protection. It is important not to overdo it with care. Fertilizing should be done no more than once a month, because otherwise the bush itself will only actively grow and not bloom.

It is necessary to carefully ensure that there is no stagnation of moisture, which causes disease, rot and lack of flowering of marigolds (how to care for and how to feed marigolds?). In very hot weather it is better to water flowers in the evening.

Read about caring for marigolds after planting in open ground.

Diseases

Most often found in still young plants. It is characterized by light pigmentation at the bottom of the stem, which gradually darkens and rots, causing the entire plant to die.

To avoid this, you need to remember to disinfect the soil when planting seeds, but do not overdo it with potassium permanganate. If these preventive measures did not help protect the flower from this disease, it is necessary to cut off the affected areas and reduce the frequency and abundance of watering. Do this only after the top layer of soil has dried. If this does not help, and the plant continues to die, we recommend replanting it in new soil.

Root rot

As a result of unsuitable growing conditions for marigolds, they can be attacked by root rot. It manifests itself in the slow development of the plant and yellowing of the stem and leaves. To avoid this misfortune, you should take into account all the recommendations for choosing a landing site given in the article above.

Important! Do not plant flowers where flowers with this disease were found last year.

Pests

Spider mite

It shows itself even on seedlings if it is in a room with dry air. But sometimes already formed plants can be exposed to this danger in dry weather. Symptoms of damage: the leaves become whitish, and then the entire plant dies.

You can resist ticks by humidifying the air. Many gardeners recommend using tobacco tincture. It is prepared as follows: pour 200 grams of tobacco with three liters of water and let it brew for two days. Then filter and dilute to 10 liters of water with the addition of 50 grams laundry soap until it is completely dissolved. The solution is ready for use immediately. Read more about what to do if spider mites or other pests appear on marigolds.

Whitefly

This pest appears in very hot weather and sucks the juice from the leaves, and its larvae infect the leaves with fungus, which then turn black. To combat whiteflies, you need to use special preparations purchased in the store.

Slugs and snails

They go on the attack in wet weather, gnawing stems and leaves. To fight slugs you just need to collect them from plants and sprinkle the soil in a circle with ash and lime.

Features of reproduction

It would not be amiss to remind you of the need to update your seed every three to four years, because after this period the marigolds will lose their specific characteristics.

Useful video

All about marigolds. Planting, growing, care, pests, diseases, feeding and reproduction:

Marigolds are bright, unpretentious flowers that can be found in many summer cottages, parks, and city flower beds. These charming decorative flowers in rich orange, sunny tones will decorate any garden and create a cheerful, cheerful mood in it. Marigolds are very popular in Ukraine; they are called “chernobryvtsy” here. Marigolds have been used for a long time to decorate rural courtyards and streets. They fit so organically into the rural flavor that they are considered to be a symbol of Ukraine, although the birthplace of flowers is America. Marigolds have earned popular love not only for their attractiveness, but also for their ease of care; even a beginner can grow these charming flowers.

Marigolds (lat. Tagetes) are annual or perennial plants belonging to the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. The homeland of the blooming unpretentious culture is America, where they are widespread from the southern American states to Argentina. Marigolds came to Europe thanks to the Spanish conquerors in the 16th century and soon spread throughout the continent. Today there are up to 40 species of this plant. The flowers received the Latin name Tagetes in honor of the grandson of Jupiter - Tages (Tagetes), who has the gift of a fortuneteller. Tagetes is a compact bush with an erect, branched stem, the height of which reaches from 20 to 130 cm. The leaves of marigolds are lacy pinnately dissected or pinnately divided, arranged oppositely, sometimes in an alternate order. The leaves, depending on the type of plant, are light green or dark green. Marigolds have a fibrous root system. The inflorescences of the plant are baskets: double or simple, can be collected into inflorescences. The middle bisexual flowers are tubular in shape, and the marginal flowers are false-ligulate, with five stamens. The color of the flowers is bright and catchy. There are marigolds in bright yellow, orange, red, golden, and brown colors. Marigolds bloom abundantly and for a long time, starting in June and ending with the first frosts. The fruit of the plant is a linear achene, narrowed towards the base; the flowers reproduce well by self-sowing, maintaining their viability for 3-4 years. A distinctive feature of flowers is a strong spicy, slightly tart aroma exuded not only by the flowers, but also by the leaves of the plant. Not everyone likes the aroma of marigolds, but it is this pronounced specific smell that repels pests from the plant that can harm it. Types of perennial marigolds The species diversity of marigolds is huge; three types of plants are most common in our region: Tagetes patula, another name for the species is French, small-flowered, low-growing. A low compact plant, reaching a height of no more than 60 cm. A spreading branched bush with lateral shoots is strewn with numerous small flowers up to 8 cm in diameter. Flowers, depending on the variety, can be double or collected in simple inflorescences with a pronounced disk in the center. The color of the flowers can be yellow, orange, golden or two-tone. Small-flowered marigolds are often used to decorate lawns, flower beds, flower beds, they are planted as a border or grown in flowerpots and containers. The unpretentious species of marigold grows everywhere and is a cold-resistant species. The most common varieties of rejected marigolds: Carmen is a variety with bright double flowers with ruffled petals. The color of the petals is a yellow-orange core framed by a red-brown edging. The height of the spreading bush is up to 30 cm. Gold Bol - the height of the plant bush is up to 60 cm, the color of the flowers is a bright yellow core with a red border. Lemon marigolds - have bright lemon colored petals, double flowers. They look great in a single-color flower bed. Marigold Bolero is a low-growing plant, up to 20 cm tall with lush inflorescences, wavy petals, colored yellow-red. The most common variety of marigolds, it grows well in the shade. Mexican thin-leaved Tagetes (Tagetes tenuifolia) is a miniature species of marigold with original openwork foliage. There are about 70 hybrids of this plant species. The height of the bush is about 20-40 cm, the inflorescences are small up to 2 cm in diameter. The color of the petals is golden, orange, red, yellow. Popular varieties: Ursula is a bush up to 50 cm high with golden flowers. Paprika - bush height up to 25 cm, blooms red or orange. Lulu - bush height up to 25 cm, blooms with yellow-golden flower baskets. Tagetes erecta is a type of tall marigold. The height of the bush is from 30 cm to 1 meter. The peculiarity of this species is its luxurious large double flowers up to 15 cm in diameter. As a rule, the color of the flowers is monochromatic: yellow, cream, golden, orange. Popular varieties: Vanilla is a bush up to 70 cm tall with cream double inflorescences up to 12 cm in diameter. Kilimanjaro is a bush up to 70 cm tall with charming large spherical white flowers. Antigua is a low bush up to 30 cm tall with bright flower baskets: golden, orange, lemon. Which marigolds to choose: annual or perennial? Decorating country cottage area, many gardeners are wondering what are the best varieties of marigolds to choose for growing. When choosing between annual or perennial marigolds, you need to decide on the purpose of growing flowers. Low-growing perennial marigolds are suitable for a permanent place near the house, veranda or for decorating a flower bed. It should be remembered that, reproducing by self-sowing, perennial species have the ability to capture new territories, and every year, the bushes of the plant develop better and the flowers become more magnificent. These varieties include: Carmen, Bonaza. You can buy perennial marigolds in flower shops or collect them yourself. Annual hybrid varieties are propagated by dividing the bush or by digging. Every year more and more new and interesting bright annual marigolds appear, which do not get boring, surprising with a new color or flower shape. New hybrid varieties can be planted in flower beds in the summer, hanging planters, flowerpots, pots, decorate window sills. They can be either short or tall. Among the famous annual varieties are: Mandarin, Eye of the Tiger, Kilimanjaro. Perennial marigolds: cultivation Unpretentious marigolds can be grown in several ways: sow the seeds directly into the ground or grow through seedlings. Growing marigolds through seedlings Sowing seeds for upright tagetes seedlings is carried out in March; small-flowered and thin-leaved varieties are best planted for seedlings in early April. For earlier planting, in February, the seedlings will need to be illuminated, since daylight hours in February are still short. Stages of planting seedlings: In May, when the night frosts have gone, the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground or in flowerpots and containers for growing on window sills, balconies, and verandas. To transplant seedlings, just carefully pry them with a spatula and transplant them to a permanent place on the site, keeping a distance of 30-40 cm between plantings. Low-growing varieties are planted according to a 20 by 20 cm pattern. The ground under the bush should be lightly compacted. The soil for planting should be nutritious, rich in minerals, neutral or loamy. For flowers planted in soil with low fertility, further fertilizing will be required during the growing season. Watering young plants should be moderate and regular; lack of moisture in the soil affects the further growth and flowering of marigolds. Sowing perennial marigold seeds directly into open ground Perennial marigolds can be planted directly in open ground. For the first planting, seeds can be bought in a store, and then planting material can be collected after flowering to breed marigolds on the site; marigold seeds also propagate abundantly by self-sowing. Seeds collected in autumn are stored until spring and then planted in the ground. Optimal time sowing seeds - mid-May, when the soil warms up enough. For planting, it is necessary to prepare in advance wide holes, 5 cm deep, at a distance of 15 cm from each other. The seeds are sown in moistened holes, and then sprinkled on top with a small layer of earth, about 1 cm. Watering is careful and moderate until the first shoots appear, which will appear quite quickly. If young marigolds have sprouted too thickly, they should be thinned out and transplanted to another place. Perennial marigolds: care Caring for marigolds is not difficult, all you need to do is follow simple conditions for growing them: Reproduction of perennial marigolds Marigolds can be propagated not only by seeds, but also by rooting stem cutting in water or soil. In addition, adult marigold bushes can be propagated well by dividing the bush. It is enough to dig up the mother bush and divide it into several parts with roots and foliage. Collection and storage of perennial marigold seeds To collect planting material, you need to wait until the inflorescences on the bush are completely dry. Then, in dry weather, the inflorescences are torn off and their seeds are extracted. You can store marigold seeds in a paper bag in a dry, dark and ventilated area. When collecting seeds of a certain variety, it should be taken into account that only three out of four seeds inherit the parental characteristics. Diseases and pests of perennial marigolds Marigolds are rarely susceptible to disease. Their specific aroma is a kind of plant protection from many diseases and pests. Due to the high content of phytoncides, the plant can protect not only itself, but also other crops surrounding it. But, if the summer is rainy and damp, the flowers are attacked by slugs and snails, which feed on the leaves and stems of the plant. To control pests, traps made of bleach solution are used, which are placed around the perimeter of the site. Another disease associated with excess moisture is gray rot. Infected bushes should be removed to prevent infection of healthy specimens. During dry summers, flowers can be attacked by spider mites; in the fight against them, onion infusion is used, which is sprayed onto the bushes. To prevent the appearance of spider mites, flowers in dry weather must be regularly sprayed, artificially increasing air humidity. Possible problems in growing perennial marigolds If the soil moisture is insufficient, the plant will not fully develop; this indicator also affects the size of the flowers. Excessive moisture leads to root rot and fungal diseases. In rainy summers, there is a possibility of faded inflorescences rotting, so it is recommended to remove them regularly. When the air temperature drops to 10 degrees, the plant stops developing. Perennial marigolds in landscape design Marigolds look great in any part of the garden, decorating flower beds, lawns, and borders with bright, juicy and lush inflorescences. Tall varieties look harmonious in the center of a flower bed, and low-growing ones are used as decoration for borders and the side of a flower bed or lawn. Monochromatic velvet flower beds made of yellow marigolds or bright multi-colored flower beds with marigolds of various colors look very impressive. Marigolds – perfect option for decorating even the smallest area, if the area for planting flowers is limited. Bright, unpretentious flowers can even be grown in garden beds, among potatoes or other vegetable crops. Marigolds look very beautiful when planted in flowerpots, containers on verandas, and in gazebos. Cheerful flowers will give you a good mood until autumn. Marigolds are unpretentious and universal plant, which a beginner can grow. These bright flowers with a fragrant aroma will fill your garden with warmth, joy and happiness. Perennial marigolds, photo

Marigolds are probably known to everyone; they are one of the most unpretentious flowers. Bright, sunny flowers will decorate any flowerbed or balcony. Marigolds are real hard workers; their flowering lasts all summer until frost.

These plants can be used for more than just decoration. garden plot, but also as a medicinal plant, seasoning in cooking and as a means for cosmetic procedures. From this article you will learn what types of marigolds there are; varieties with photos and names are described below.

Types of marigolds

Thin-leaved

This species includes mainly low plants. They have compact bushes, the height of which does not exceed 50 centimeters. The foliage is small, dissected and the flowers are simple. Thin-leaved varieties look good in flower beds and in combination with other types of marigolds; they can also be grown in balcony conditions. Now let's look at the most popular varieties of this species.

"Lemon Jam"

The plant grows to a height of only 35 centimeters, the flowers are small, lemon-colored, the bushes are minimal in shape, branching with abundant flowering.

Lemon Jam

"Dwarf"

It grows up to 25 cm, the plant has the shape of a ball, the foliage is dense and openwork. This variety blooms earlier than others. The flowers have a yellow center and brown petals on the edges.

Dwarf

"Golden Ring"

The plant forms shoots up to 50 cm, yellow flowers, small ones begin to bloom in June and end with the onset of the first frost.

Golden Ring

"Mimimix"

The plant forms small dense bushes up to 25 cm, the flowers are small and simple.

Mimimix

Marigolds erect

This species includes the tallest varieties; they reach 100 cm. The flowers grow large, up to 15 cm, of the same color, double type. In addition, marigolds are divided into the following sizes: super high -90 cm, tall - 60-90 cm, low - less than 45 cm

Upright varieties of marigolds with photos and descriptions:

"Hawaii"

These plants reach 105 cm, the flowers are large, with a hint of orange, 12 cm in size, bloom late, at the end of summer.

Hawaii

"Gold Dollar"

The bushes look miniature, grow 120 cm in height, powerful trunks, light green foliage, rich flowers orange color.

Gold Dollar

"Eskimo"

The plant grows up to 35 cm in height, flowers milky, peduncle size up to 6 cm.

Eskimo

"Friels"

The plants form small bushes up to 80 cm, the flowers are large, with a yellow center and orange edges, blooming at the end of July.

Freels

"Mandarin"

It blooms with lush orange flowers, the bush itself is dense and densely branched.

Mandarin

Marigolds rejected

This species is otherwise called French; it is characterized by a wide range of color shades. The bushes reach a length of no higher than 60 cm. The flowers are double and simple, they are small, only 8 cm. For convenience, the variety is divided into classifications: tall - 60 cm, medium - up to 50 cm, low - 20-40 cm, lowest - 15-20 cm .

Here are the most popular varieties of rejected marigolds:

"Bolero"

A relatively new variety that has become a favorite among gardeners. The flowers are not large, lush, red with brown and a small splash of lemon color. The bushes are not high, about 30 cm. These marigolds grow quickly and bloom a lot throughout the summer season.

Bolero

"Fighter"

The bushes are lush, grow up to 50 cm. The foliage is saturated Green colour, openwork. Flowering begins in early summer.

Fighter

"Jolly Jester"

These marigolds branch well, the bush itself grows up to 30 cm, the flowers have several shades.

Jolly Jester

"Gold Ball"

The bushes are spreading, up to 60 cm high, the shoots are green with a brown coating, the flowers are simple or semi-double, about 5 cm in diameter. The variety blooms in early June, the flowers can be used for cutting.

Gold Ball

The shortest varieties

A variety of low-growing marigolds is widely used to create flower beds and ridges. Shades of flowers are yellow, orange, reddish, and brown. Basically, dwarf varieties of marigolds are very climbing, they reach a height of 20-35 cm. The smell of the flowers is well expressed, but somewhat softer than that of other species.

Here are the most favorite marigolds among gardeners , low-growing varieties with good photos:

"Carmen"

Belongs to rejected marigolds, the bush reaches up to 30 cm, the flowers are brown-red in color with a yellow center and 6 cm in diameter.

Carmen

"Petite orange"

The bushes of this plant are very miniature, only 25 cm, the foliage is bright green, dense, the orange flowers are not large, 6 cm in diameter, double.

Petite orange

"Golden Head"

This plant is only 20 cm high, the bushes are dense with strong shoots, and the foliage is dark green. Double flowers resembling chrysanthemums, about 4 cm in diameter. These marigolds bloom early from the beginning of June, abundant flowering lasts until the first frost. The variety is suitable for growing in pots, on balconies, flower beds and garden beds.

golden head

"Bonanza"

The variety consists of a series of plants with a variety of colors. The flowers come in shades of yellow, white, reddish brown and orange. All inflorescences are double, 6 cm in size. The size of the bush is from 25 to 30 cm.

Bonanza

Low-growing large-flowered varieties are characterized by powerful stems, dark green foliage, and large double inflorescences. Flower color can be lemon, yellow, orange.

"Antigua"

The variety is upright, the height of the bush does not exceed 25 cm. The inflorescences are quite large, 15 cm in size, double. 4-5 flowers bloom on one bush; they have a uniform color. Flowering begins early at the end of May and lasts for two months.

Antigua

"Lunasi"

A beautiful low-growing variety with large chrysanthemum-shaped flowers, mostly orange. Flowering begins two to three months after germination.

Lunasi

Perennials among marigolds

Perennial marigolds grow in the natural conditions of hot countries. IN climatic conditions In our country, marigolds can grow as annual flowers, because they die due to frost. But due to the abundant release of seeds and their germination in the same place in the next season, the effect of perennials is achieved. Perennial cultivars grow in Mexico and America, but here are the plants most resistant to climatic anomalies: “Bicolor French”, “Bonita”, “Golden Domes”, “Khokhloma”, “Mexican Tarragon”, “Sofia”.

Planting seeds in the ground

Marigolds are easy to grow from seeds. Planting in flower beds begins at the end of May, when the soil warms up well. It is better to choose an open sunny place, away from bodies of water, light partial shade is allowed. For convenience, furrows can be made with a hoe, then spilled with water.

The seeds are laid out approximately 1.5-2 cm apart, and sprinkled with 0.5-1 cm of soil. Next, the plantings are watered and covered with covering material so that the moisture does not evaporate so much, of course, if rain is forecast, then this is possible not to do.

After about five days, marigold shoots will appear, the covering fabric is removed, if there is severe drought, the plants need watering. When the second pair of true leaves appears, the places where the marigolds have grown densely are thinned out. Excess plants can be planted in beds with cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots. The fact is that all parts of marigolds secrete phytoncides, which repel pests and fight pathogenic microflora, including such a common fungus as late blight.

When planting these plants, depending on the variety, certain conditions are observed. So between tall marigolds you need to keep a distance of about 40 cm, between medium-sized plants keep 30 cm, and low marigolds are planted at a distance of 15-20 cm.

Growing marigold seedlings

If you want to get flowering plants early, you need to sow seeds for seedlings. This is done at the end of March or at the beginning of April, when daylight hours increase so that the marigolds have enough sun for full growth.

You can choose ready-made primer for flowers or for universal use. If you prefer to use soil from your own plot or from the forest, then you must definitely disinfect it. To do this, use a pink solution of potassium permanganate, or pour boiling water over it several times. You can immediately take deeper containers; you need to put a drainage layer of expanded clay or other material on the bottom.

In the moist soil, make grooves one centimeter deep, lay out the seeds and cover them with soil. Next, moisten the crops with a spray bottle so as not to wash away the soil. For germination of marigold seeds, a temperature of 20 degrees is suitable. Boxes with seedlings are covered with film with small slits so that less moisture evaporates.

In approximately five to seven days, depending on the variety, the marigolds will sprout. Now the container can be moved to well-lit places, with a temperature of 15-18 degrees. Most likely, in an apartment this will be a place on the windowsill. After the plants have 2-3 pairs of true leaves, the plantings can be thinned out by transplanting the excess plants into another container.

Seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the middle or at the end of May. But gardeners should pay attention to the weather forecast and if there is a threat of frost, the plants are covered with high-density material or plastic film.

Care

Marigolds have bright and beautiful flowers, openwork foliage, but many gardeners decide to plant these plants due to the fact that they do not require special care. Flowers easily tolerate dry days and temperature changes, grow well, bloom profusely and do not get sick. Plants also do not need fertilizing. Caring for marigolds involves weeding, watering and removing faded buds to promote longer flowering.

Growing and caring for these flowers is not at all difficult. And there are a lot of varieties of marigolds, so everyone will find a suitable option.

Marigolds (lat. Tagetes) are flowers that are distinguished by many types and varieties, among them there are both annual and perennial varieties. Marigolds, or marigolds, belong to the class Dicotyledonous, superorder Asteranae, order Asteraceae, family Asteraceae, subfamily Asteraceae, tribe Marigold, genus Marigold.

International scientific name: Tagetes ( Linnaeus).

Although in Europe this amazing flower was introduced back in the 16th century, it received its scientific name only in the middle of the 17th century, when the naturalist Carl Linnaeus created a classification of species. The scientist, struck by the beauty of the plant, named it in honor of the beautiful Etruscan demigod Tages, who is the grandson of the supreme god Jupiter.

The flowers received the Russian name “marigolds” because of their petals, the surface of which resembles velvet. This feature is most pronounced in dark-colored varieties.

The British call this plant “marigold”, which means “Mary’s gold”, the inhabitants of Germany know it as “Studentenblume” - student’s flower, and in Ukraine these beautiful flowers are called “chornobrivtsi”, or Chernobrivtsi. For the people of China, these flowers are a symbol of health and longevity; it is not for nothing that they are called “flowers of a thousand years.”

Barharians - description, structure, characteristics. What do marigolds look like?

Marigolds have a developed fibrous root system and strong, strong, erect stems. Depending on the species or varietal, the bushes can be either compact or spreading, with a height of 20 cm to 2 meters.

Marigold leaves, painted in all shades of green, can be pinnately dissected, pinnately divided, or even whole with edges cut by denticles. On the stem, the leaves can be arranged in a regular order or opposite each other (opposite).

Marigold inflorescences are formed from tubular and reed flowers, whose wide corollas are located horizontally. Depending on the shape and number of petals, marigolds are:

1. Simple (non-double) - inflorescences that have from 1 to 3 rows of reed petals;
2. Semi-double - inflorescences with no more than 50% reed petals;
3. Terry - flowers with more than 50% reed or tubular petals. Terry marigolds, in turn, are divided according to the shape of the inflorescences into:
   • Anemone-shaped (reed petals are located at the edges of the inflorescence, and tubular in the center);
   • Dianthus, or carnation-shaped (only reed petals are present in the inflorescence);
   • Chrysanthemum-shaped(only tubular petals are present in the inflorescence).

The color of marigold petals can be:

• yellow,
• reddish brown
• orange,
• white,
• citric,
• motley.

The inflorescences themselves have a rather sharp and specific aroma, which vaguely resembles the smell of asters. The flowering period of marigolds begins in June and lasts until the onset of frost. After its completion, a strongly flattened fruit of black-brown or black color is formed and ripens. Each seed pod contains many seeds that remain viable for 3-4 years. In 1 gram there are usually from 270 to 700 seeds.

Types and varieties of marigolds, photos and names.

According to the database www.theplantlist.org, there are currently 53 species of annual or perennial marigolds, of which only 3 species (erect, deflected and slender-leaved) are the best known. Based on them, breeders have developed a huge number of series and varieties. Below is a description of several varieties of marigolds.

Erect marigolds (African) (lat. Tagetes erecta).

This species includes annual plants with a fibrous root system. The compact or spreading bushes formed by these marigolds have a height of 0.4 to 1.2 meters and an inverse pyramidal shape. The main shoot is clearly defined, the side shoots look upward. The color of unpaired pinnately dissected leaves with denticles along the edges varies from light green to dark green, and they are located on the stem in a regular order. Large single-color, less often bicolor, inflorescences of marigolds of this species can be simple, semi-double or double. The diameter of the inflorescences varies from 5 to 13 centimeters. The flowering period begins in late June or early July and ends with the first frost. Erect marigolds are suitable for flower beds, ridges, vases, balconies, and cutting. The birthplace of erect marigolds is Southern Mexico.

Series and varieties of erect marigolds: Albatross, Alaska, Antigua, Velvet Season, White Moon, Snow White, Glitter, Vanilla, Hawaii, Gelber Stein, Glitters, Golden Fluffy, Hussars, Discovery, Dune, Uncle Styopa, Yellow Stone, Golden Dollar, Golden light, Golden Prince, Golden Age, Golden Domes, Inca, Kilimanjaro, Cosmonaut, Crash, Crackerjack, Cupid, Lady, Lemon Queen, Lemon Pie, Lemon Prize, Lemon Miracle, Maximix, Marvel, Mary Helen, Beach Season, Prima Gold, Spoon, Solar Giants, Taishan, Titan, Trulli, Smile, Fantasy, Firecracker, Popsicle, Amber Lace.

Rejected marigolds (lat. Tagetes patula).

Synonyms: French marigolds or small-flowered marigolds. This species is formed by perennial plants with numerous erect and highly branched stems, the height of which ranges from 15 to 60 centimeters. Side shoots rejected. Pinnately dissected dark green leaves small size with serrated edges, they are formed from several lobes of a linear-lanceolate shape. On the stems, the leaves are arranged in both alternate and opposite order. Single and also collected in corymbose inflorescences, the baskets of these marigolds grow up to 4-6 centimeters in diameter. The shape of the inflorescences can be simple, semi-double or double. In addition to marigolds with a single color, many bicolor varieties have been bred. The most intense flowering is observed during July and August. They begin to bloom in early June. The rejected marigolds are native to the mountains of Mexico.

Series and varieties of rejected marigolds: Alumia, Bonanza, Brocade Yellow, Gabi, Harmony, Hero, Gullebrand, Jolly Jester, Disco, Durango, Carmen, Red Cherry, Cross, Boy, Bolero, Capricious (Naughty) Marietta, Little Hero, Mandarin, Mercedes, Monetta, Orange Flame, Guy, Pascal, Petite Harmony, Petite Gold, Prosperity, Rusty Red, Safari, Striptease, Tiger Eyes, Fireball, Chica, Naughty Marietta.

Variety Capricious Marietta.

Narrow-leaved marigolds (thin-leaved, Mexican) (lat. Tagetes tenuifolia).

From these annual plants, low, densely branched, compact marigold bushes are formed, the height of which can be from 20 to 50 cm. Straight bare shoots are light green in color. Light green small leaves of a pinnately dissected shape, which are arranged in an alternate order on the shoots, formed by narrow lobes with sparse denticles. Abundantly flowering corymbose inflorescences are collected from simple five-petal baskets, the diameter of which ranges from 15 to 30 mm. The color of the inflorescences is one-color or two-color. Thanks to the highly branched stems, the entire plant has the appearance of an almost perfect ball. This type of marigold begins to bloom in early June and ends flowering with the first frost, when the temperature drops to 1-2°C. Narrow-leaved marigolds are used for flower beds, borders, borders, vases and arrays. The homeland of narrow-leaved marigolds is the mountains of Mexico.

Series and varieties of thin-leaved marigolds: Gnome, Golden Jam, Golden Ring, Golden Gem, Star Shine, Star Shine, Karina, Red Gem, Lulu, Mimimix, Fire Stars, Ornament, Paprika, Starshine, Starfire, Ursula.

Variety Ornament.

Tangerine Jam variety.

Variety Lemon Jewel

Other names for this species: Mexican tarragon, Spanish tarragon, sweet marigold. This is a perennial erect plant with bushes ranging from 40 to 80 centimeters in height. Narrow green leaves about 7.5 centimeters long resemble the shape of natural tarragon leaves. Plain golden marigold flowers of simple shape do not exceed 1.5 centimeters in diameter. Radiant marigolds bloom from early June to late September. The leaves of this plant are collected and used fresh or dried as a tarragon substitute, and the dried flowers are used to make an excellent food coloring.

An ornamental, rather powerful plant, 90-120 cm high, with reddish shoots and dark green leaves. The species grows in Texas and is found in Mexico. Marigolds have a very pleasant aroma citrus fruits with a light fruity-musky note. The flowers of this marigold species are often used as a savory addition to fish and meat delicacies or as a flavorful accent in baked goods.

The second name is lemon marigold. IN wildlife These perennial marigolds, discovered in the late 19th century, grow in mountainous regions of the United States (in the canyons of southern Arizona) and northern Mexico. Marigold bushes reach a height of 120 cm, the leaves of the plant have a length of 5 to 15 cm, the diameter of the numerous yellow flowers is approximately 5 cm. The plant exudes an aroma reminiscent of the amber of citrus and mint with a subtle note of camphor. Sometimes the smell of this plant is compared to the smell of tangerines. Marigolds attract many butterflies, which constantly circle over the flowers.

A plant with a bush height of 8 to 50 cm. In the wild, this species grows in the steppes, on rock slopes, in pine and oak forests, and feels at ease in corn fields, growing there as a weed. Found throughout a vast area from Mexico to Costa Rica. The bush has a pronounced anise aroma, the plant is quite unpretentious to soil quality and easily tolerates drought.

A type of marigold, with a bush height from 50 to 180-200 cm. Length very fragrant dark green leaves varies from 5 to 20 cm, the diameter of fairly small flowers does not exceed 15-25 mm. The leaves have deeply dissected edges and are located opposite on the stem. Small marigolds grow in the USA and Mexico, Brazil, southern European countries (France, Spain, Italy, Romania), southern Africa, China and Japan, India and Libya, Thailand and Turkey, Australia and New Zealand.

Classification of marigolds by bush height.

In floriculture, a classification is used in which the division is based on the height of the plant, the shape of the inflorescences and their color.

According to the height of the bush they are distinguished:

• Giant marigolds (90-120 cm);
• Tall (tall) marigolds (60-90 cm);
• Medium-sized marigolds (45-60 cm);
• Low-growing (low) marigolds (25-45 cm);
• Dwarf marigolds (up to 20 cm).

Giant marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

These include plants that reach a height of 90 cm to 120 cm. Most often, giant marigolds are found among upright plants. The most famous varieties of giant marigolds:

• "Gold Dollar"– early annual hybrid variety without the characteristic aroma of marigolds. The variety belongs to the upright marigolds. The bushes are dense, the shoots are strong and thick, 0.9-1.2 m high, with rather large light green leaves. From the first ten days of June until the appearance of frost, they are decorated with terry baskets of medium-sized inflorescences, with a diameter of 7 to 8 cm. The inflorescences, reminiscent of a carnation in their shape, consist of red and orange-red petals.

• "Lemon Queen" - beautiful lemon marigolds with fairly tall (up to 120 cm) bushes. The inflorescences are light yellow or golden in color, up to 9-10 cm in diameter. Blooms profusely in July-August.

• “Orange” - marigold bushes of this variety reach 1 meter in height. Large (up to 15-17 cm in diameter) orange terry-type inflorescences delight the eye from June until the first frost, ideal for cutting - they stand in water for 2 weeks.

Tall (tall) marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

The height of the bushes ranges from 60 cm to 90 cm.

• "Yellow Stone" (Gelber Stein)– an annual variety, forms bushes about 70-80 cm high. The plant has beautiful, densely double inflorescences of rich yellow color. The diameter of marigolds is up to 15 cm. The plant begins to bloom in early June.

• "Frills" - bushes of this late variety of marigold grow up to 80 cm in height and up to 8 cm in diameter. In the last ten days of July or at the very beginning of August, large, double, clove-shaped inflorescences-baskets appear on them, which consist of reed petals in rich shades of orange and golden color. Flowering from late July until the first frost.
• "Lemon Prince" (Zitronen prinz)– an erect plant forms tall (65-80 cm), standard-shaped and rather dense bushes. A pinkish bloom is visible on the dark green shoots of this variety. The double clove-shaped inflorescences of marigolds are quite large - 8-10 cm in diameter. When they open completely, they look like lemon-yellow balls. Marigolds of this variety bloom from June-July to September.

• "Hawaii" (Hawaii) - erect annual plants are compact bushes that grow up to 90 cm in height. From mid-summer (July) to mid-autumn, large double carnation-shaped inflorescences open in the form of orange hemispheres with a diameter of 10 to 12 cm on strong light green peduncles.

Medium-sized marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

The height of plants included in this group ranges from 45 to 60 cm.

• Among the white erect marigolds of medium height, perhaps one of the most beautiful is the variety "Kilimanjaro" This annual hybrid plant forms weakly branched bushes from 40 to 50-60 cm in height, with a clearly defined main shoot. The attractiveness of the variety is explained by large, densely double inflorescences 7-10 cm in diameter, resembling balls in shape with an unusual vanilla-white color. Abundant flowering begins in June and lasts until frost.

• Thin-leaved marigolds of this group are represented by numerous varieties, among which “Golden Ring”, or "Golden Ring". Despite the thin, densely branched shoots with narrowly dissected leaves, the spherical bushes of these marigolds are quite compact and reach a height of 40-50 cm. Small simple inflorescences do not exceed 25-30 mm in diameter. They are composed of small orange tubular petals in the center of the inflorescence and bright yellow, bent downward, reed petals. Flowering lasts from the first days of June and ends with the onset of the first frost.

Low-growing marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

They are represented by varieties whose height ranges from 0.25 to 0.45 m.

• This large group includes the Bonanza series, obtained as a result of selection from rejected marigolds. Annual miniature bushes of this series have a height of no more than 30 cm. Double inflorescences up to 6 cm in diameter can be painted in any color, from rich yellow to red-orange. Variety "Bonanza Deep Orange" ( Bonanza Deep Orange) is one of the most beloved among gardeners. This is a beautiful early flowering variety, with compact bushes, the height of which ranges from 0.25 to 0.3 m, and the width does not exceed 20 cm. Double inflorescences with a diameter of 5 to 6 cm are painted in a deep orange color.

• The Discovery series of varieties is bred from erect marigolds. Although small bushes do not exceed a height of 20-25 cm. The inflorescences that cover them abundantly have quite large sizes and bright rich color. Many gardeners and flower growers grow marigolds on their plots Discovery Yellow or "Discovery Orange" ( Discovery Orange). These are annual plants with compact bushes. Shoots with numerous pinnately dissected, bluish-green leaves are dotted with large and dense densely double inflorescences of bright yellow or orange color. The diameter of the inflorescences is 8 cm. Flowering of marigolds begins in the first days of June and lasts until the onset of frost.

Dwarf marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

This group consists of plants whose height does not exceed 20 cm. It includes a variety of varieties of deviated, thin-leaved and erect marigolds.

• Among the representatives of rejected marigolds, the most interesting is the “Boy” series, which consists of annual varieties with compact branched bushes from 15 to 20 cm high and about 20 cm wide. The pinnately dissected marigold leaves growing on the side shoots are dark colored -green color. The diameter of the yellow, orange or bicolor double inflorescences that abundantly cover the bushes ranges from 4 to 6 cm. The most interesting of this series is the marigold variety "Harmony" It is distinguished by its magnificent inflorescences, consisting of central golden-yellow flowers, which are surrounded by brownish-brown reed flowers with a thin golden edge.

• Among the thin-leaved marigolds of the dwarf group, the most widespread is the annual series "Mimimix". Varieties of this series form dense, compact, spherical bushes with a height of only about 20-25 cm. The leaves are narrow, pinnately dissected, and dark green in color. The inflorescences are simple, about 20 mm in diameter, colored various shades and tones of yellow, red or orange. Marigolds begin to bloom in July and finish blooming in the last ten days of September.

• Among dwarf upright marigolds, the variety is very popular "Lunacy Orange" Orange). Its compact bushes reach a height of 15-20 cm. The diameter of the bush reaches 20-25 cm. A distinctive feature of these marigolds are dense chrysanthemum-shaped inflorescences of bright orange color.

Types of marigolds according to the shape of the inflorescences, photos and names.

According to the shape of the inflorescences and the number of reed flowers, marigolds are:

• Simple,
• Semi-double,
• Terry,
  • Anemoneaceae,
  • Dianthus,
  • Chrysanthemum-shaped.

Below is a more detailed description of them.

Simple marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

Simple inflorescences consist of a small number of central tubular flowers and one row of ligulate flowers.

• "Lemon Jam" or "Lemon Jam" ( Lemon Jam), is an annual low-growing variety, bred as a result of selection of thin-leaved marigolds and reaching a height of 0.25 m. Small simple inflorescences measuring 3-4 centimeters are painted gold or yellow, and their middle consists of small bright orange tubular flowers .

• A representative of a simple group of thin-leaved marigolds is the Paprika variety. It is distinguished by dwarf (no more than 20-25 cm), highly branched bushes of a spherical shape. The pinnately dissected leaves growing on thin shoots are light green. These are very beautiful marigolds, the period of abundant flowering begins in June and ends at the end of September. Simple flat baskets with a bright yellow center are painted fiery red, and their diameter does not exceed 20-30 mm.

Semi-double marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

To form semi-double marigolds, at least 2-3 rows of reed flowers are required. This group includes:

• A full representative of the rejected marigolds of the semi-double group is the variety “Gold Ball”, or "Golden Ball" Its spreading bushes with strong, highly branched shoots and small green leaves can reach a height of 50-60 cm. The inflorescences are simple and semi-double, their diameter is 4-5 cm. The tubular petals of marigolds, which are located in one or two rows in the center of the inflorescence, are colored in a bright yellow color with a golden tint. The reed petals located at the edges are reddish-brown. This is an early variety of marigolds: their flowering begins in the first ten days of June.

• "Red Brocade" ( Red Brokad e) is an annual low-growing variety from the Brokade series, bred from rejected marigolds. A strongly branched but compact bush grows only up to 25 cm in height. A semi-double inflorescence of medium size (about 4-5 cm in diameter) consists of slightly corrugated reed flowers, which are colored yellowish and red-brown.

Terry marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

Double marigolds are formed by a large number of flowers, both ligulate and tubular.

• An example of such an inflorescence structure is variety "Eskimo" (Popsicle), which is a hybrid. This is a low-growing plant with a bush height of up to 40 cm. Its inflorescences, reminiscent of balls in shape and the color of vanilla-white ice cream, reach a diameter of 6-10 cm and delight with their beauty, starting from the first ten days of July until the frosts.

• "Aztec Lime Green"– very unusual marigolds of light green color. Densely double inflorescences have a diameter of 10-12 cm. The height of the plant is 45 cm. The variety is resistant to heat.

• “Fantastic” are tall varieties of marigolds that grow up to 0.7 m and delight gardeners with their flowering from the beginning of summer until the first frost. Large inflorescences with a diameter of 8 to 11 cm are composed of narrow tubular flowers. The color of densely double baskets can be golden (Fantastic Gold), yellow (Fantastic Yellow) or orange (Fantastic Orange).

• "Strawberry Blonde"– annual variety. A low-growing plant with bushes up to 25 cm high, 15-20 cm wide and medium-sized inflorescences resembling a carnation in shape. Throughout the flowering period, baskets can change their color, ranging from bright yellow to terracotta tones. In addition, the intensity of color changes is affected by air temperature. At low temperature variations occur slowly, but with high contrast between colors. Increasing the temperature speeds up the process, but the color contrast is significantly reduced.

Anemone-shaped marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

Anemone-like marigolds consist of large tubular flowers located in the center, and reed flowers framing them, arranged in 1, 2 or even 3 rows.

• Marigold varieties belong to this type of inflorescence structure series "Durango" (Durango) (D urango), created from rejected marigolds. These are low annual plants with a bush height of 20-30 cm and inflorescences measuring about 55-60 mm. The series includes varieties of marigolds with golden yellow, red-brown and bright orange colors. Most Interest gardeners are attracted by the Durango Mix variety, which attracts attention with its unusual inflorescences, painted in a variety of tones, from yellow and burgundy to variegated.

Carnation-shaped (clove-shaped) marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

Dianthus marigolds consist mainly of ligulate flowers, the petals of which are dissected along the outer edge.

• A typical example of such an inflorescence structure is Marigolds "Carmen". This is an annual plant that forms bushes no more than 0.3 m high, which are abundantly covered with foliage. The petals of the reed flowers are slightly ruffled and red-brown in color, while the tubular central flowers are yellow-orange in color. The size of the marigold inflorescence reaches 50 mm. The flowering period lasts from early summer to early autumn.

• "Black Velvet" (B lack V elvet) - annual marigolds, bred on the basis of small-flowered marigolds. This is a low-growing plant up to 30 cm high with a compact bush on which small inflorescences up to 6 cm in diameter bloom profusely, painted in a dark cherry color and framed by a thin orange border. Inflorescences are double, carnation-shaped. The flowering of marigolds lasts from the beginning of summer and ends with the onset of frost.

Chrysanthemum-shaped marigolds, varieties, photos and names.

Chrysanthemum-shaped marigolds are formed almost entirely by tubular flowers. Prominent representatives of this group are annual variety series bred from erect marigolds:

• "Taishan" (Taishan) - low-growing flowers about 0.25-0.3 m high. From late spring to early autumn, marigold bushes are covered with fairly large inflorescences consisting of wide tubular flowers. The size of the baskets reaches 70-80 mm in diameter. This series includes varieties with golden (Gold), orange (Orange) and yellow (Yellow) baskets.

• “Vanilla F 1” (Vanilla F 1) is an annual low-growing hybrid with a compact bush, the height of which does not exceed 40 cm, and the width of the bush is approximately 25 cm. Large inflorescences about 7 cm in size, resembling a ball in shape, are painted in a delicate creamy white color. Flowering begins in the last ten days of May and ends with cold weather.

Where do marigolds grow?

Today, marigolds are cultivated in almost all countries of Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. In the wild, marigolds grow in Spain and Portugal, France and Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Belarus, and throughout Russia. These flowers are also found in India, Pakistan, and China, but the largest growing area is noted in Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Paraguay and other countries of South America, as well as in Mexico. These flowers are quite unpretentious to external conditions, therefore they can easily tolerate periodic lack of watering, poor soils and even weed infestation.

Medicinal properties of marigolds.

In addition to their beautiful appearance, which gives aesthetic pleasure, as well as the pleasant aroma inherent in these flowers, marigolds are widely used for cosmetic, medicinal and culinary purposes.

Throughout the growing season, the plant accumulates in all its parts essential oil, containing several unique components. In terms of the content of some biologically active substances, marigolds are ahead of many medicinal herbs and plants. They contain:

• ocytomene,
• apinene,
• sabinen,
• carotene,
• lutein,
• myrcene,
• citral,
• pigments,
• alkaloids and flavonoids.

Amber-yellow marigold oil has a pleasant aroma, mixed with notes of oriental spices and fruits. Marigold oil has the following medicinal properties:

• antimicrobial,
• antifungal,
• antispasmodic,
• antiseptic,
• sedatives.

Marigold petals contain potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, copper, gold and zinc, as well as vitamins C, A, E, folic acid and rutin.

Spanish Brocade variety. How to make marigold oil?

For cooking healing oil from marigolds, the green material from the stems, leaves and flowers should be chopped fairly finely, and then poured over it olive oil in a ratio of 1:10. After keeping the mixture in a dark place for 10 days, it is placed in a water bath, after which the resulting extract is drained and filtered. The drug should be stored in a cool place, after pouring it into dark glass bottles. Marigold oil is a potent remedy and should be used with caution. It helps reduce arterial pressure, promotes wound healing and eliminates skin infections.

Infusion of marigolds and method of its preparation.

Due to the antiseptic properties of this plant, inhalations with its infusions are used to treat viral and bacterial diseases of the respiratory system. This procedure can be carried out either using special devices or the old-fashioned way over a kettle. For infusion, 5 buds are enough, which are filled with boiling water (no more than 300 ml).

Marigold decoction and method of preparation.

Pain from arthrosis or other joint pathologies can be reduced by taking marigold decoctions. This aqueous extract is prepared in large volumes and has a lower concentration. A decoction is prepared from dried or fresh inflorescences. It is enough to take about 20-30 of them and leave for an hour. It is advisable to ask your doctor about the frequency and volume of the drug taken.

The use of marigolds in cosmetology.

The aromatic and medicinal properties of marigolds have long been used in cosmetology. Extracts of these flowers are included in the composition of perfumes and nourishing creams of all French perfumers. In addition, many representatives of the fair sex make masks based on decoctions of these flowers or nourishing balms from a mixture of olive and almond oil, infused for two weeks on one tablespoon of crushed inflorescences.

Marigolds in cooking.

Dried and crushed marigold flowers are used as a seasoning known as Imeretian saffron. They give food not only a special spicy taste, but also a beautiful golden color. Marigold leaves and flowers are included in some salads and are also used for preserving vegetables. The marinade, to which a couple of inflorescences were added, gives the cucumbers special elasticity and makes them crispy. Marigold inflorescence is the raw material from which food dyes are produced, which have a rich yellow or yellow-orange color.

Harm of marigolds and contraindications.

It should be remembered that people who have allergic reactions To active substances, which are part of the stems, leaves or flowers of the plant, as well as for women during pregnancy, the use of preparations, ointments, balms and seasonings from marigolds is contraindicated.

Marigolds: cultivation and care.

Due to the natural beauty of marigolds, as well as their long flowering period, they are used for decorative purposes in city parks, garden plots and adjacent areas. The planting location depends on the size of the bush. Thus, giant, tall or medium-sized varieties of marigolds are used to decorate the center of flower beds or the background part of a flower garden, and from low growing plants form colorful flower borders. Marigolds are suitable for growing in floor vases, large pots, balcony boxes and even flower pots, and cut flowers can stand in a regular vase for quite a long time.

The soil.

In Russia, flower growers are mainly engaged in breeding thin-leaved, erect and rejected marigolds. Despite the fact that these plants are quite unpretentious and can grow on almost any soil, the most intense flowering is achieved on fertile, neutral, loamy soils that are sufficiently fertilized and moistened. To enrich the soil with the necessary minerals and microelements, any of the complete mineral fertilizers are added to it, but not manure. When creating conditions for a complete supply of oxygen to the root system at the planting site, provide good drainage, which can be used as compost.

Temperature and lighting.

Marigold flowers are heat-loving plants, so they need to be planted in sunny areas, although light shade will not harm them. The best temperature needed for optimal growing season and full flowering is considered to be in the range from +20°C to +23°C. In cooler temperature conditions, the sprouts slow down and the leaves turn pale green. The first frost usually leads to the death of plants. In excessively shaded areas, shoot growth accelerates and flowering is inhibited.

Humidity.

Long-term heavy rains can have a detrimental effect on the condition of marigolds, causing rotting of the inflorescences and fungal diseases of the root system, but these plants tolerate drought quite easily, since they come from the sunny and arid regions of South America and Mexico.

Methods for planting marigolds.

In floriculture, 2 methods of propagating marigolds are used:

• sowing seeds directly into the soil,
• seedling method.

Flowers planted using the method direct seeding into the ground, they begin to delight with their flowering only in the middle of summer, but planting prepared seedlings makes it possible to admire the beauty of the plants already in early June.

When to plant marigolds?

The timing of planting marigolds in open ground depends on the air temperature. Sowing seeds or planting seedlings should be done only after the night temperature does not fall below +5°C. IN southern regions with a mild and warm climate, planting can begin in mid-April, and in areas with a temperate climate it is better to postpone this process until the second decade of May.

Germination of marigold seeds.

To ensure that the seedlings are friendly and strong, the planting material is germinated. This preparation method is equally used both for sowing seeds directly in open ground and for growing marigold seedlings.

Germination of seeds does not represent special labor. To do this, you need to wrap marigold seeds of the selected variety in a moistened cotton cloth. Then the bundle should be placed in a shallow flat saucer and placed in a transparent plastic bag. Now all that remains is to place the container with the soaked planting material in a warm and bright place and wait two to three days. When the seeds hatch, you can begin planting.

Planting marigolds with seeds in open ground.

In the area prepared for sowing marigolds, using a hoe, you need to make shallow (no more than 2 centimeters) grooves, into which sprouted marigold seeds should be placed at intervals of about 15-20 millimeters. Then you need to cover them with a layer of soil at least one centimeter thick. With a thicker layer, it will be difficult for the sprouts to break through and they may die, and if there is insufficient powder, they will simply dry out. Watering should be done carefully and moderately, avoiding both excessive waterlogging and leaching of seeds from the soil. The first shoots can be observed after 7-8 days. You can cover the planting site with agrofibre or any other non-woven material (acrylic or lutrasil). When 2 or 3 true leaves appear on the sprouts, you can thin out and plant the plants in accordance with the variety, height and width of the bush.

To enjoy flowering already in last days May or in the first ten days of June, sowing marigolds for seedlings should be carried out throughout March and the first half of April. For those who want to grow several different types, you need to take into account that in March the seeds of upright marigolds should be sown, and small-leaved and rejected ones - in the first two weeks of April. In this case, flowering will occur simultaneously in early June.

Grow healthy and strong seedlings These colors are not at all difficult, but some nuances should be observed. The best substrate for germinating marigolds can be considered a mixture of humus, peat, turf soil and half the norm of pure coarse soil taken in equal amounts. river sand. To destroy pests and weed seeds that may be in the soil mixture, it is necessary to disinfect it. To do this, you can use any fungicide or a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate).

To prevent stagnation of water in the substrate, a drainage layer at least 3 centimeters thick is poured onto the bottom of the planting box or container. For this you can use small crushed stone, gravel, expanded clay or even coarse sand. Two-thirds of the required volume of soil mixture is poured onto the drainage, which is compacted using a tamper. The rest of the substrate must be in a loose state so that the root system of the seedlings is adequately supplied with oxygen.

The planting box or container should not be filled to the top: there should be 10-20 millimeters of free space from the top of the container to the surface of the soil. Now you need to spill the prepared substrate with water and let the container or box stand in a warm room for a couple of days so that the soil mixture reaches the desired structure. To remove excess moisture from the soil mixture, a container with several small holes at the bottom must be equipped with a special tray.

Before planting marigold seedlings, the surface of the substrate should be slightly loosened and shallow grooves should be made at intervals of about two centimeters. Hatched seeds should be placed in these grooves every 10-15 millimeters, and then they should be covered with a layer of substrate no more than 10 mm thick. After this, very carefully water the entire planting surface, and cover the container transparent material(a plastic bag, a lid from a food container, glass, etc.) and taken to a warm room with a temperature from +22°C to +25°C.

It is necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out and water periodically. When the first sprouts of marigolds appear, the container with the seedlings is transferred to a brighter and cooler room, in which the temperature fluctuates between 15-18°C. At the same time, they begin to “accustom” the seedlings to fresh air, for which daily ventilation is carried out. In addition, this will greatly reduce the risk of some diseases characteristic of seedlings. If there is the slightest suspicion that any seedling is infected with blackleg, it must be removed along with a lump of substrate. After this, you should fill the resulting hole with fresh soil mixture, and then treat the entire soil along with the sprouts with a fungicide solution.

When friendly shoots of marigolds appear, the shelter is completely removed. During this period, watering is carried out only after the soil in the seedling container has dried out. Also, you should not allow water to accumulate in the pan, so some time after watering, excess liquid should be drained from it. In order for the seedlings to grow strong and healthy, it is recommended to feed them with special fertilizers for seedlings twice a month.

If all the planted marigold seeds germinate, the sprouts will be quite cramped in the container or box. In this case, picking will be required. This operation is carried out some time after watering. In a separate container with the same substrate as for growing seedlings, holes are prepared into which the sprouts, removed from the container with a spoon, are transplanted. Planting is carried out by deepening the plants almost to the cotyledons, which will lead to more intense and abundant root formation. The appearance of 2 or 3 true leaves can be considered a signal that marigold seedlings are ready for planting in open ground.

Planting marigold seedlings in open ground.

Seedlings are planted in open ground in the middle or end of May in previously prepared soil. To do this, the area chosen for planting is dug up to a depth of no more than 25 centimeters and complex fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are added to it. After this, the soil is dug up again and watered. The amount of mineral fertilizers applied should not exceed 30 g/m2.

After waiting some time for the water to be absorbed into the soil, prepare the holes in which the seedlings will be planted. The distance between the holes and adjacent rows of marigolds depends on their type and variety. For giant and tall plants this figure is 40 centimeters, medium-sized flowers should be planted every 30 centimeters, and low-growing and dwarf marigolds should be planted every 20 centimeters.

The depth of the holes for seedlings should be such that the root collar of the plant is 10-20 millimeters deep into the soil. After the root system is carefully placed in the hole, you need to carefully fill the void around the roots and lightly compact the soil. Next, you should water the seedlings well, avoiding excessive waterlogging. It is noteworthy that, unlike many plants, marigolds are not afraid of water getting on their leaves.

Caring for marigolds.

Further care for these flowers is quite simple.

• In order for the bushes to bloom profusely, you need to remove weeds and periodically loosen the soil not only between the plants, but also between the rows.
• Despite the fact that marigolds are unpretentious, application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers will have a beneficial effect on the appearance of the bushes, making flowering more lush. One or two root dressings for the entire season, done when the first buds appear and after the start of abundant flowering, will be enough. You should not use nitrogen fertilizers, as this will lead to the growth of shoots and inhibit the development of inflorescences.
• In addition, for the plant to look lush and neat, it is necessary to periodically remove inflorescences that have already bloomed, and carry out formative pruning of marigolds.

In the fall, after the onset of frost, marigolds die. Plants need to be removed from the ground, finely chopped and embedded in the ground during autumn digging. This measure will allow for the prevention of fungal infections of the soil.

Diseases of marigolds, photos and names.

Like all plants, marigolds can also get sick.

• For example, if the summer is cool and rainy, or if the bushes are planted too close together, dark brown spots often appear on the leaves of the plants and on their stems. This disease is called “gray rot” and leads to the death of not only the infected bush, but can also cause the fungal infection to spread to other plants. To avoid this, you need to immediately dig up all marigold bushes affected by gray rot and destroy them.
• Excessive moisture can also lead to slugs and snails. You can get rid of them by hand picking or jars of bleach, which need to be placed between the rows. The pungent odor emanating from them repels pests.
• In hot, dry summers, especially when watering is carried out irregularly and in insufficient quantities, plants are susceptible to invasion spider mite. You can get rid of this dangerous pest by spraying the bushes with infusions of special plants, since marigolds do not tolerate chemicals. To prepare infusions, you can use onion, yarrow or red hot pepper. If infection spider mite has not yet happened, you can spray the bushes with plain water two or three times a day as a preventative measure.

It is noteworthy that the phytoncides contained in the roots, stems and leaves of marigolds prevent the development of most fungal diseases not only in the flowers themselves, but also serve as excellent protection for those plants that grow next to them. Therefore many experienced gardeners create unique flower borders around plantings of tomatoes, potatoes or berry bushes.

Interesting facts about marigolds:

• Erect marigold flowers have the ability to draw out heavy metals accumulated in the soil, which allows them to be used for land disinfection work.
• The first written mention of marigolds appeared at the end of the 16th century. basic research Spanish missionary, historian and linguist Bernardino de Sahagún.
• In India, marigolds are considered sacred flowers, so they are strewn with them at the base of statues of the god Krishna.
• The aroma emanating from the leaves is more persistent and pungent than the aroma emitted by the inflorescences.
• In the language of flowers, which in the era of Queen Victoria was used to express feelings hidden, marigolds meant fearlessness, courage, unparalleled courage and were a symbol of the royal lion.
• Residents of Mexico still use the leaves of the plant as a diaphoretic or diuretic, as well as to treat fever. For food poisoning, marigolds are used to induce vomiting and clear the stomach.
• The aroma emanating from marigolds attracts bees, wasps, beetles and other pollinating insects, therefore, by planting such flowers near cucumbers or other crops, you can achieve a significant increase in yield.
• During the era of the birth and spread of Christianity, the inhabitants of the British Isles surrounded images of the Blessed Virgin Mary with wreaths woven from marigolds. The flowers symbolized gold coins.
• According to Orthodox writings, when Mary and Joseph were forced to flee to Egypt, a gang of robbers followed them. When the pursuers overtook the fugitives, they took their wallet. But how surprised the bandits were when, upon opening it, they found not silver or gold, but marigold inflorescences.
• The indigenous Indians of South America in their tales and legends associate the flowers of the plant with the divine luminary of the sun.
• Marigolds are grown not only for decorative purposes. There are species that are cultivated for use in the food industry and the production of alcoholic beverages.